How can water be managed sustainably?

Match the following water management strategies to their definition.

• Countries use technologies to develop new ways to generate and conserve water

• Improving water quality

• Countries encourage people to conserve and treasure water.

• Importing water

• Countries with abundant water resources may allow neighbouring countries to import water from them

• Improving water technologies

• Countries implement laws to maintain or improve water quality

• Reduce water consumption

Water management strategies help countries ensure that is enough water for human activities over both ​ (a)   and ​ (b)   term.

• short
• long
• medium
• near
• far
• future

Laws to improve water quality ensures that water resources are ​ (a)   and are of a ​ (b)   standard.

• preserved
• safe
• excellent
• reserved
• clean
• ok
• defended
• neglect

Match the following impacts of desalination according to their criteria.

• Positive environmental impact

• Provides accessible drinking water.

• Negative environmental impact

• Attractive option as Singapore is an island and surrounded by sea

• Positive social impacts

• Independent of rainfall and can be used to supplement water supply duringa long dry spell.

• Positive long-term impact

• Large amounts of waste solutions are produced and if improperly disposed, may cause pollution.

• Negative economic impact

• Expensive to produce as the production is energy-intensive.

What are the advantages of reducing water consumption? Choose the most appropriate option.

I. Allows people to be more mindful of their water consumption and appreciate good water quality.

II. Increases awareness to reduce water consumption is difficult at the individual level and will take time.

III. Helps lower monthly electrical and water bills.

IV. May not affect those who can afford higher price for water.

• I and II

• II and III

• I and III

• I and IV

In your opinion, which water resource management strategy is the most relevant for Singapore? Give reasons for your answer.

Strategy 1: Improving water quality

Strategy 2: Reducing water consumption

Strategy 3: Improving water technologies

Strategy 4: Importing water

What can you, as an individual, do to manage water sustainably?