changing demand for water in the uk

• water has many uses, we need it to survive but also to wash, dispose of waste, grow and process food, and in industry
• the average person in the uk uses 150 litres of water per day at home, 4% for drinking
• domestic use accounts for 21.7% of water use in the uk
• 2.9% of water use in the uk is for agriculture
• the biggest use of water in the uk is industry at almost 75%
• The average person in the UK uses 175 litres of water per day
• In contrast, people in Bangladesh use only 83 litres per day
• Only 4% of drinkable water in the UK is actually drunk, the rest is used for other purposes like toilet flushing, washing clothes, or cleansing
• The amount of water used by the average household in the UK has increased by 70% since 1985
• Reasons for the increase in demand for water in the UK:

  • Increased number of households with appliances like dishwashers and washing machines
  • Improvements in personal hygiene leading to more showers and baths
  • More food grown in greenhouses requiring year-round watering
  • Increased industrial production
  • Increased demand for water for leisure activities due to more leisure time
  • Increased car ownership leading to more car cleaning
  • Population growth
• Water deficit is when the water supply is lower than the demand for water
• Causes of water deficit:

  • Long periods of dry weather and heat (drought)
  • Low rainfall
  • Overuse of water such as longer showers
  • High temperatures causing evaporation
  • Higher populations using more water
• Water deficit primarily affects the east side of the UK, while the west side and most of Scotland do not have water supply issues
• The UK has an overall water surplus, but water deficit is increasing due to higher water use
• Water surplus is when there is excess water available to the drainage system
• Water surplus areas have high rainfall, low evaporation rates, and low population density
• Water transfer schemes aim to address water shortages by transporting water from one river basin to another using canals, pipes, and dredging
• Example of a water transfer scheme: Kielder Water in Northumberland supplying water to settlements along the North-East coast like Newcastle and Middlesborough
• Advantages of Lake Vyrnwy water transfer scheme:

  • Provides high-quality and cost-effective water supply
  • Helps in transferring water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit
• 252 million liters of water can be taken a day from Lake Vyrnwy for the River Vyrnwy pipeline project
• Lake Vyrnwy has been delivering clean drinking water to customers in Cheshire, Merseyside, and the North West region since 1892
• Challenges of the River Vyrnwy pipeline project:

  • Environmental impact concerns
  • Potential loss of agricultural land
  • Water discoloration issues for some customers
• Opportunities of water transfer schemes:

  • Major tourist attraction bringing in revenue
  • Job creation leading to higher living standards
  • Can create and improve natural habitats like wetlands and tree planting
• Challenges of water transfer schemes:

  • Expensive construction of dams and aqueducts
  • Increased traffic and noise during construction
  • Political issues regarding water transfer
  • Negative environmental impacts like disrupting fish migration and flooding natural habitats