4.2 Water access, use and security

Guiding questions

What issues of water equity exist, and how can they be addressed?
How do human populations affect the water cycle, and how does this impact water security?

This is part part 1 of my video series about topic 4.2 water access, use and security.

Here’s part 2 in the series.

This is part 3 of my video series about water access, use and security.

SL and HL knowledge statements

Here’s a set of flashcards covering essential vocabulary and concepts for the SL and HL content in ESS topic 4.2 Water access, use and security.

Play some games to test how well you know the material for ESS topic 4.2 Water access, use and security.

4.2.1 Water security is having access to sufficient amounts of safe drinking water.

4.2.2 Social, cultural, economic and political factors all have an impact on the availability of, and equitable access to, the freshwater required for human well-being.

This brief video summarizes the water wars that erupted after the government tried to privatize the municipal water system in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Due to some scenes of violence, you can only watch the video on YouTube.

South Africa’s Free Basic Water Policy was an attempt to ensure equitable access to water, but it failed. This video examines some of the reasons why.

Vital Water Graphics

Explore the state of the world’s fresh and marine waters in this collection of graphics from the UN Environment Programme.

Water Use and Stress

How much water do we use? How did it change over time? Here’s a collection of interactive data resources to examine how people use and access water around the world.

4.2.3 Human societies undergoing population growth or economic development must increase the supply of water or the efficiency of its utilization.

4.2.4 Water supplies can be increased by constructing dams, reservoirs, rainwater catchment systems, desalination plants and enhancement of natural wetlands.

Here’s a brief video showing sand dams in action to combat water scarcity in Ethiopia.

4.2.5 Water scarcity refers to the limited availability of water to human societies.

4.2.6 Water conservation techniques can be applied at a domestic level.

4.2.7 Water conservation strategies can be applied at an industrial level in food production systems.

4.2.8 Mitigation strategies exist to address water scarcity.

Cape Town, South Africa used conservation and mitigation strategies to avert Day Zero – the moment when their water supplies would be exhausted

Knowledge statements for HL only

Here’s my video for the HL content in topic 4.2 water access.

4.2.9 Freshwater use is a planetary boundary, with increasing demand for limited freshwater resources causing increased water stress and the risk of abrupt and irreversible changes to the hydrological system.

4.2.10 Local and global governance is needed to maintain freshwater use at sustainable levels.

4.2.11 Water footprints can serve as a measure of sustainable use by societies and can inform decision-making about water security.

4.2.12 Citizen science is playing an increasing role in monitoring and managing water resources.

4.2.13 “Water stress” like “water scarcity” is another measure of the limitation of water supply; it not only takes into account the scarcity of availability but also the water quality, environmental flows and accessibility.

4.2.14 Water stress is defined as a clean, accessible water supply of less than 1,700 cubic metres per year per capita.

4.2.15 The causes of increasing water stress may depend on the socioeconomic context.

4.2.16 Water stress can arise from transboundary disputes when water sources cross regional boundaries.

Nile River
River Jordan
Mekong River
Colorado River

This 9-minute video succinctly details current and potential transboundary disputes in the Nile River watershed. It addresses ecological, political and socioeconomic issues.

4.2.17 Water stress can be addressed at an industrial level.

4.2.18 Industrial freshwater production has negative environmental impacts that can be minimized but not usually eliminated.

4.2.19 Inequitable access to drinkable water and sanitation negatively impacts human health and sustainable development.

Practical activities

Add from existing PSOW booklet.

Possible engagement opportunities

Compare the water footprint for a variety of different food or clothing items, for example, a pair of denim jeans and a linen T-shirt, wool and polyester fleece, or an avocado and an apple.
Engage with charities that focus on access to water, such as WaterAid.
Measure and advocate for reducing household water consumption or water consumption at school.
Turn into CAS suggestions connected to UN SDGs.

Happy learning!