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Computer applications to water resources management. Prof. F.T. Mugabe. Variables that affect water resources – water quantity and quality. Demand for water Supply of water Management of water and water related resources. Demand for water.
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Computer applications to water resources management Prof. F.T. Mugabe
Variables that affect water resources – water quantity and quality • Demand for water • Supply of water • Management of water and water related resources
Demand for water • Population – population growth, population distribution and density, living standards, sanitation, urbanisation – SADC 140m (1995) – 292m (2025) • The increase in population – an increase in water use for domestic, industry and agriculture • WHO recommends 50 litres per person per day • Industrial growth – mining, manufacturing, tourism and recreation, power generation • Agriculture – irrigation – 40-60% lost as evaporation and seepage, aquaculture, stock industry • Ecological zones – wetlands, forestry, grasslands and rangeland, wildlife, fisheries
Water supply • What is the source of water supply? Surface water and groundwater • Surface water threatened by overexploitation, poor management, substandard sewage effluent and runoff from agricultural lands treated with herbicides and pesticides • Decrease in water supply due to pollution e.g Lake Chivero • Water hyacinth choking Lakes Chivero, Mutirikwis and Kariba • Climatic change and variability – lake and reservoir levels, river discharges, evaporation, soil moisture content, groundwater,
Management issues that would improve upon the availability of and access to water • Family planning – Chinese example • Settlement patterns and urbanisation • Appropriate policies • Water pricing structures • Technology choice – Tel Aviv • Participatory mechanisms • Regional cooperation • Where does Water resources modelling come in?