water resource managment

• The UK may be so for being grey and seat, but apparently the rain doesn't fall in the places
• Demand for Water Varies Across the UK

  • Places with good supply of water are not the same as places with high demand
  • The south east and Midlands have high population densities, leading to high demand for water
  • The south east and Midlands are areas of water deficit (greater demand than supply)
  • The north and west are areas of water surplus (greater supply than demand)
• The demand for water in the UK is increasing
• Reasons for increasing water demand

  • UK population is increasing
  • People have more water-using appliances like dishwashers and washing machines
  • New homes are being built in the water-deficit south east
• Polluted or poor quality water reduces the amount available for use
• Causes of water pollution

  • Nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers
  • Pollutants from vehicles washed into water sources
  • Accidental chemical and oil spills at factories
• Up to 80% of water in some parts of southern England comes from groundwater, but pollution is affecting the water quality of nearly 50% of groundwater used for public supply
• Strategies to manage water quality

  1. Improving drainage systems to slow down rainwater movement and allow pollutants to be broken down

  2. Imposing regulations on amount and types of fertilisers and pesticides used
• Water Transfers


  • Used to deal with supply and demand imbalances by transferring water from areas of surplus to areas of deficit
  • Dams and aqueducts needed are expensive to build
  • Can disrupt wildlife like fish migration
  • May cause political issues as people may not want their water transferred