Global Demand for Water

• water surplus = excess water, can mean water security (enough water to meet people's needs)
• water deficit = not enough water, can mean water insecurity (not enough clean water for everyone)
• water security depends on:

  • amount of water available
  • number of people using water
  • access to the water
• water stress = when demand for water exceeds supply
• water demand is rising because of:

  • rising population
  • economic growth
• rising population cause global demand for water to rise because:

  • everyone needs water for drinking, washing
  • many need more food and use irrigation (uses 70% of the world's freshwater resources)
• irrigation = human watering of crops
• economic development causes global demand for water to rise because:

  • industrialisation - as countries become more developed they produce more goods, manufacturing requires water
  • energy production - developed countries require more energy
  • rising living standards - as countries develop people can afford a higher standard of living