Who chooses?
In many respects the ethical question is not one of whose rights are preeminent, but rather how we choose between competing uses (the values we attach to different uses and …
Course: The Challenge of Global Water Security
The Ethics of Water
What do ethics have to do with water and water security? Ethical dimensions take on an increasing significance as human interventions, both intended and unintended, increasingly impact on the water …
Further issues and examples
You might have worked hard to estimate the water footprint associated with the fruit and vegetables in your shopping basket. Two almost identical baskets of products might have very similar …
Scenarios
These scenarios should help to illustrate different thinking around how consumption and production decisions of industries and households impact water resources. Scenario 1: Your weekly shopping A careful examination of …
What is a water footprint?
In this step we’ll introduce you to the concept of the water footprint, and show why the concept is relevant to consumers, industry, and government. Where possible we use examples …
How do extreme events affect water security?
Extreme events can also affect water security. The problems can arise from either too much water, in other words flooding, or too little water, when there are droughts. These kinds …
Biological water quality – part 2
In this video, Professor Jo Cable illustrates the spatial and temporal variation of pathogens and how we can reduce their impact by prevention and control. In your area, is biological …
Biological water quality – part 1
In this video, Professor Jo Cable explains how waterborne pathogen, diseases and other kinds of widespread infections, reach people and animals through contact with contaminated water. These are some of …
How does this vary by location?
Pollution trends affecting freshwater ecosystems and resources significantly vary between developed and developing countries. In developing countries, investment in wastewater treatment or regulatory control struggles to keep pace with growing …
What Chemicals and Pollutants Affect Water Quality?
Water quality varies naturally. Natural freshwater ecosystems vary widely in water quality. The concentrations of naturally occurring chemicals dissolved in water (such as sodium, chloride or sulphate) varies between locations. …
Introduction to Week 2
In this video, Professor Steve Ormerod introduces the topics for this week. We’ll be exploring chemical and biological water quality, extreme events, and how much water you use as part …
Risks to water security
Water security is also about minimising the risks associated with flooding, droughts or the contamination of water sources. Risks to water security are risks to people, ecosystems, and economies. Our …
Managing water supplies
In this video, Dr Adrian Healy explains the concept of managing quality and quantity of water supplies for people and ecosystems. Without the means of storing and distributing water, around …
The importance of water quality
Water security isn’t only about the amount of freshwater available for people and ecosystems. The quality of the water is also important. Across the world an estimated 80% of all …
The rising demand for water
In this video Dr Adrian Healy explains how and why the demand for water is rising, and what is being done to meet increasing demand. Over the past 100 years, …