Water supply
A future challenge!?
Our aim
• We want to inform students and open a debate
Our objectives
putting attention to a temporary and future issue
emphasizing the link between the environment and economics
Water supply
• A future challenge!?
…., because
• Water shortages worldwide (case:Africa)• Water pollution in poor areas• Unsustainable use of water in the Western
sphere• A growing world population• Conflicts connected to water
Cases and Initiatives1.Africa
1.Afrika
• Seconde driest continent in the world• Nearly 50% lack access to safe water• 41% lack sanitation• Almost half of the population (778 million
in 1997) suffers from one of the six major water-related diseases.
• Deforastation and overgrazing can greatly reduce the reliablity of water supplied by wetlands
1.Africa
• Slight groundwater changes have a bad impact
• Solutions could be:
To establish multilateral river basin management for lakes and rivers
A management strategy for the wetlands
2. The 3 Gorges Dam in China
2. The 3 Gorges Dam in China
• Largest hydro electric power station in the world• Water power used for energy supply• Flood control, clean hydroelectricity and
navigation but, ….
– relocation of people– siltation, – loss of archaeological cultural sites – the impact on regional ecosystem
2. The three Gorges Dam in China
• Over one billion tons of wastewater are released annually into the river.
• pollution ratings will increase
• there is an estimated cost of 2.8 billion Yuan to clean the river
• Erosion and sinking of coastal areas
2. The three Gorges Dam in China
• In Fact:– The Three Gorges Dam can supply 10% of
China’s electricity demand.
– The dam can generate up to 18.6 GW of power.
3. Water footprint
3. Water footprint
The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business.
Water footprint
• Water issues linked to the global economy
• Water use – water consumption
• See blackboard
Organisational matters
• Check handouts please