GCSE Geography (Pearson IGCSE)

Topic Summaries

Water supply

Impacts of water supply scarcity

  • Waterborne disease and water pollution: contaminated water spreads diseases like cholera. Poor sanitation and polluted water sources increase health risks, especially in LICs.
  • Food production: lack of water for irrigation reduces crop yields, leading to food shortages and higher prices. Droughts can devastate agriculture, especially in arid regions.
  • Industrial output: industries reliant on water (e.g. textiles, energy production) may reduce output or shut down during water shortages. This impacts economic growth and employment.
  • Potential for conflict: water scarcity can lead to disputes between countries or regions sharing water sources (e.g. River Nile, River Ganges). Competition for water resources may escalate into political or military conflict where demand exceeds supply

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