Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Report - Essay Example view 1 highlights that 40% of the solid grounds current population lives in dehydrated regions (Balon and Dehnad, 2010). In developing countries in Africa and Asia, nearly a quarter of the population lives in arid and semi arid regions, compared to just 11% in europium and 6% in Oceania. Figure 1 Population Who Live in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions Source www.water system-asar.de/lang1/water_shortness_in_arid_and_semi-arid_regions_-_ar.html 3. wherefore Are There Water Shortages? The Welech Institute (2006) highlight many factors leading to water shortages. These include stinting development, political and financial deficits, lack of information and education of population and lack of adapted technologies and know how. Figure 2 highlights several other key factors, and explains how this leads to water scarcity. Figure 2 Reasons For Water Shortages Contributing reckon Explanation High Population Growth UN Population Division states population in developing r egions (containing the intimately arid areas) grew from 1.6 billion in 1950, to 4.5 billion by 2005, and is predicted to increase to 8 billion by 2050, which pass on put enormous stress on water supplies. Climate Change Increased temperature rise amid 2-4c, affecting climatic weather patterns with less rainfall and higher evaporation rates in arid regions. Higher Demand for Irrigation 70% of the worlds new-fangledwater is currently used for irrigation, and agriculture is the biggest consumer of fresh water in arid regions. Groundwater Depletion Over pumping of groundwater (160 m? of non renewable groundwater extracted every year) Contamination of Water options collectable to leaching of agricultural pesticides and fertilizers, domestic and industrial wastage, and untreated sewage. Adapted from Welech Institute Report (2006) 4. The Need for bodily process Figure 3 Johannesburg 2002 Logo 5. South Africa and its Arid Regions Figure 4 South Africas Arid Regions 6. Measures For Water Provision 6.1. South Africas Demand For Water The National Water imaging Strategy documents of DWAF states that overall water demand is expected to increase by approximately 9% from 2000-2025 (DWAF, 2004). By 2025 DWAF states that there will need to be both reduced consumption and increase supply to exert water security and allow for sustainable development. Therefore substantial investments are unavoidable for water understructure and other water management strategies. 6.2. Planning and Management The Development of a National Water Resource Strategy designed to address the management of the water resources to meet the development goals of the country Identifies scarce water areas and constrains development as well as development opportunities where water resources are available Industrial users required to develop and submit their water directly from a water resource (DWAF, 2004) 6.3. Groundwater Extraction and Mixed enforce of Surface and Groundwater Figure 5 Groundwa ter Extraction 6.4. Artificial Groundwater Recharge Refers to the process of transferring water into aquifers, such as rainfall and treated waste water. Advantages include provides security during drought and dry seasons provides storage of