Managing the UK's Water

• demand for water is increasing:

  • water used by households has gone up by 70% since 1975
  • population densities are changing, there are plans to build new homes in an area of water deficit
• the north and west of the UK have high rainfall meaning they have water surplus
• the south east/midlands have high population densities meaning they have a water deficit
• water pollution issues in the UK:

  • nitrates/phosphates from crop fertilisers are washed into rivers/groundwater
  • pollutants from vehicles are washed into water sources through runoff when it rains
  • chemicals and oil spills from factories can pollute water sources
• up to 80% of water in southern england comes from groundwater, 50% of that is polluted
• strategies to manage water quality:

  • improving drainage systems
  • imposing regulations on amounts of fertilisers/pesticide used
• water transfer issues:

  • dams/aqeducts are expensive to build
  • can affect wildlife that live in the rivers
  • may be political issues