Question

1. When the first people arrived, the new town of Las Venturas benefitted from an abundant water supply thanks to regular precipitation runoff and the nearby Buenaventura river. However, 70 years later the City of Las Venturas - that now straddles the river - faces growing water stress. Describe and explain two possible causes of this change. [2 Marks]

2. Summarize the personal water footprint you calculated as a part of the Lab #6 pre-lab activity. Based on the results of the extended estimate, what are the three most effective actions that you would be willing to take to lower your personal water footprint. Which of the blue, green, and grey components of your water footprint would each of these actions most reduce? Reflect honestly on how successful you would be likely to be in making such an attempt to reduce your water use. [4 Marks]

Answer 1

Answer to Question number 1:

The term water stress is used to refer to the suffering which is caused in a region because of lack of water or scarcity of water in that area. There could be two factors because of which the water stress could occur that is political and economic. However, looking at the case of Las Venturas there could be two possible cause for the water stress.

1. Increase in supply and demand:

There are various cases of increase in water crisis when there is an increase in population and thus the demand of excessive water is increased, and the supply is not met as per the need of the population. Other than that, if there is an increase in the production of food and programs which are being developed can also lead to increase in water demand in that region, which may cause water stress. If there is an increase in production of food there will be increase in agriculture irrigation, which is also one of the primary contributors to the water stress.

2. Deterioration of Water Quality:

The quality of the water at a area is never static. The water stress could sometimes take place when there is an increase in the rise of pollution and thus deterioration of water quality. Since the city of Las Venturas straddles the river, therefore, it can happen that new industries and factories which are set up for the growth of the city are ending up dumping their pollutants to the river, and this can happen if the industries operating are unregulated. Other than that, there are agricultural pollution, pesticides which are originating from the agricultural land can significantly decrease the quality of water. Other than that, since there is an increase in population therefore, there could be some societal practices which are taking place which is deteriorating the quality of river thus, the city is facing water stress.