New
New
Year 11
AQA

Global patterns of water security

I can describe the inequalities in global water security and the impacts of water insecurity on people and economies.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

Global patterns of water security

I can describe the inequalities in global water security and the impacts of water insecurity on people and economies.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Globally, there are areas of surplus (security) and deficit (insecurity), and inequalities in access to water.
  2. Water insecurity has impacts on people when they use polluted water or contract waterborne diseases.
  3. Water insecurity has impacts on the economy including food production and industrial output.
  4. There is potential for conflict where demand exceeds supply.

Keywords

  • Water security - the reliable availability of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods and agricultural or industrial production

  • Water insecurity - when water availability is not enought to ensure the population of an area enjoys good health and earnings; caused by lack of suppy or poor water quality

  • Waterborne disease - disease transmitted in contaminated water; contracted by bathing, washing, drinking or the consumption of infected food, e.g. cholera

  • Water conflict - dispute between regions or countries about the distribution and use of freshwater

Common misconception

Water insecurity is due to lack of rain.

Water insecurity may be the result of physical water scarcity, though a water deficit may be due to high population density or use of large volumes of water for industry.


To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: Global patterns of water security, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

There are lots of links between this lesson and the next (Water resources: demand and supply) meaning there will be opportunities to reinforce new terminology.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is an example of a renewable resource?

Natural gas
Coal
Correct answer: Solar energy
Uranium

Q2.
Which part of the world has the most access to clean water?

Correct answer: Europe
Sub-Saharan Africa
South Asia
Central America

Q3.
What do high-income countries tend to do more than low-income countries?

Export more raw materials
Correct answer: Consume more resources
Have less industry
Produce less energy

Q4.
What is a key reason why some areas have water scarcity?

Correct answer: Low rainfall and overuse
Too many forests
Too much water infrastructure
Cold temperatures

Q5.
Which country is a major exporter of oil?

Nepal
Correct answer: Saudi Arabia
Kenya
Sweden

Q6.
Which factor does not affect access to food?

Climate
Conflict
Correct answer: National flag
Poverty

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Match the following:

Correct Answer:water security,Enough clean water for health, farming, and industry

Enough clean water for health, farming, and industry

Correct Answer:waterborne disease,A disease spread through contaminated water

A disease spread through contaminated water

Correct Answer:water conflict,Dispute over the use or control of water

Dispute over the use or control of water

Correct Answer:water insecurity,Not enough clean water to stay healthy or earn a living

Not enough clean water to stay healthy or earn a living

Q2.
Which of the following best describes a country with high water security?

A country with low rainfall and poor infrastructure
A country with regular floods and unsafe wells
Correct answer: A country with reliable clean water for homes, farms, and factories
A country where only cities have clean water

Q3.
Which idea challenges the belief that water insecurity is always caused by lack of rain?

Some areas use underground water
Deserts never run out of water
Correct answer: Industry and high demand can also cause shortages
Rivers flow from mountains

Q4.
What is one likely economic impact of water insecurity?

Correct answer: Reduced industrial output
More tourism
Higher rainfall
Cleaner rivers