The document summarizes key topics relating to global fresh water supply and demand, including: - Agriculture accounts for the greatest use of water worldwide and irrigation is increasingly needed to feed growing populations. - Water scarcity occurs when demand exceeds supply, and many regions face unequal access to clean water. - Although most of Earth's water is undrinkable saltwater in oceans, only a small percentage is accessible freshwater in lakes, rivers and underground. Glaciers and icecaps contain most remaining freshwater but are melting due to climate change. - Rising populations in places like India and China are exacerbating water stress as demand outpaces sustainable supply. Uneven rainfall and drought further threaten water security in

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EDGEFIELD SECONDARY SCHOOL
SECONDARY ONE GEOGRAPHY
CHAPTER FOUR: WATER SUPPLY
Geographer’s name: _____________________ ( ) Class: 1 _____ Date: ____________
The Hydrological Cycle
The Uses of Water
 ______________ uses the greatest amount of water globally.
 More and more water is needed to grow increasing amounts of crops to feed people as the
world’s population is growing rapidly.
o To meet the world’s increasing demand for food, more places are relying on
__________ (the artificial application of water to the land or soil or to water crops).

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Water Footprint
 The __________________ (in cm3
) used to produce the
goods and services for a person in a year.
 The water footprint varies largely across countries.
Water Shortage
 Water shortage occurs when _________________________________________________.
Meaning, water is being _______________________ than it can be replenished.
 There is an unequal access to clean water; not everybody has access to clean water.
Distribution of Water on Earth
 Although ________ of the earth’s surface is covered in water, most of the earth’s water is
in the ________. Ocean water is __________ for human consumption (eg. to use or drink).
 Only 2.8% of the earth’s water is ___________.
o Fresh water provides people and living
organisms with most of the water they
need.
did you know?
Research published in 2012 reveals that theaverage consumer in US has a WF of 2,842 m3
⁄y,whereas the average citizens in China and Indiahave WFs of 1,071 and 1,089 m3
⁄y respectively.
do you know
the where the
world’s five
oceans are
located?

3. Prepared by Miss Lena Teo Student’s copy
o Many countries (eg. India, China and the USA) use ______________ for irrigation.
• Although surface freshwater is _____________ than groundwater, people are
increasingly drawing from groundwater as surface freshwater is scarce and
sometimes insufficient.
o About 68.8% of the earth’s freshwater is locked up in ice caps and glaciers. But
they are ____________________ as ice caps and glaciers are usually located
__________________________________.
Glacial Retreat on theTibetan Plateau
In the last 50 years, the averageannual temperature in theTibetan Plateau increased by
0.88
o
C. This shrank the glaciercoverage by 17% in the last 30years.
The average rate at whichglaciers are retreating is 10 timesfaster than it was 300 years ago.Currently, the glaciers in theHimalayas are receding at 10mto 15m yearly.
With global warming, glacialretreat will intensify and result inmassive flooding. Melting ofglaciers will destabilize hillsidesand result in landslides.
Severe drought will eventuallyfollow when perennial snowcover melts increasingly rapidlyand deplete.
Some fun facts about Antarctica:
§ It is the coldest place on earth. The annual
average temp is -58° F! The lowest temp ever
recorded there was -128.5° F (~ -89.16° C), in
1983.
§ Ocean levels across the world would rise by
200-210 feet if global warming melts away all
its ice sheets!
§ While it receives only about 10cm of
precipitation yearly, it holds about 70% of the
earth’s water…in the form of solid ice, of
course!
(Adapted from http://mentalfloss.com/article/29708/11-
cold-hard-facts-about-antarctica)

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Fresh Water Availability
Country’s total water resources (m3
)
Country’s total population=
Water scarcity
Water supplies
are no longer
___________ to
meet demands
When there is adequate
and sustainable
freshwater for human
consumption
Water stress Water vulnerability Water security
India’s rainfall is unevenly distributed throughout the year.
• Most rainfall is received between _____ and __________ (during the
___________ monsoon) while the rest of the months are rather dry.
⊗ In 2009, the monsoon rains __________________, leading to
widespread drought.
⊗ In 2012, the monsoon rains were ________________ in the
first half of the season. Cities such as New Delhi thus faced
water shortages.
⊗ Delay in the arrival of rainfall and droughts can negatively
affect crop harvests (and eventually, India’s economy) L
Eg. India
The city of Shijiazhuang is experiencing water shortage due to its
rising population
• From 1900 to 2007, the city grew from a group of farming
villages to a city with 2.3 million people.
⊗ Increase in number of people living there à increase
in water consumption à the city has to pump a lot of
___________ to meet its increased demand for water.
Eg. Shijiazhuang, China
Know
your
examples!