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The water issue – WJEC Sustainable water projects

Global water supply and consumption are unequal. Water supplies need to be managed and there are strategies that can achieve this. Water sustainability is a global concern.

Part of GeographyDevelopment and resource issues

Sustainable water projects

Some solutions to water insecurity are more than others.

Water conservation

Modern appliances use a lot of water, eg dishwashers and washing machines. Also, people use vast quantities of water to clean cars and to water gardens. involves using less water. There are many measures people can take in order to achieve this. require less water every flush and modern appliances are designed with water conservation in mind. Water companies can install to measure the amount of water that households use and charge them accordingly. This encourages people to use less. At a national level, water companies try to conserve water by fixing leaking pipes.

Groundwater management

A drain pipe connecting to a plastic structure similar to a bucket with a lid

is under increasing threat from and pollution. Substances such as enter as a result of farming. Mining and have also been linked to the pollution of groundwater.

In the UK, the government has designated safeguard and protection zones, where any developments are carefully planned and managed. This involves mapping the flow of groundwater supplies and soil and rock types. Response measures are in place to clean up any pollution that arises.

'Grey' water

is water that is not pure. It has either been used previously, eg washing hands or cleaning teeth, or it is untreated rainwater. The idea behind using grey water is that some uses of water do not require water that has been . An example of this is flushing toilets. Some companies now use rainwater to flush the toilets in their offices. Collecting rainwater is called . Households can harvest rainwater in water butts and use it to water gardens.