Chong Boon Secondary Geography Department

Sec 1 GeographyUnit 4 Lesson 5

Impact of water shortage

Thinking questions

•What are the problems associated with water shortage?

Lesson Objectives

• In this lesson, you will–Describe the problems that

water shortage brings.

Water shortage is a serious problem

• Water is the most essential resource.• Humans cannot survive without

water.• When faced with irregular supply,

water rationing is implemented.

Domestic Impact of shortage

• 1.1 billion people globally lack access to safe drinking water.

• In LDCs, one in five people do not have access to safe water.

• Agricultural use and droughts create the shortage.

Water Rationing• Making water available only certain

times of the day.• Occurred in the 1960s in Singapore.

Economic impact• Reduced Agricultural Yields– Decreased water supply leads to crop failure.– Less food produced lead to starvation.

• Increased industrial costs– Fresh water is vital to production by industries.– Water prices increase due to shortage leading to

increase in price of products.

Political Impact

• Conflict over water supply–Countries that share a river source

(river)–Construction of dams lead to reduction

of water supply downstream.–Increase demands upstream lead to

conflict.

Summary

Are you now able to

• Describe the problems that water shortage brings?

Let’s do a summary exercise