Using named examples, assess the contribution of large scale water management projects in increasing water security.

Another scheme which has attempted to improve water security in Egypt is the Aswan High Dam. Most of Egypt only receives less than 125mm of rain a year and the Nile is the only river in Egypt therefore the management of the Nile to create water security is absolutely vital. Work started on this dam in 1960 and by 1968 the reservoir, Lake Nasser, was full. It has created a reliable source of water for virtually all Egyptians (60 million). This secure water supply has also had a positive impact on agriculture in the area as it has extended the amount of irrigated land along much of the desert margin of the valley and delta. It has increased crop yields and provided locals with more cash crops to be exported.

Although this project isn’t at the same gigantic scale of the three gorges, its negative impacts are very similar, suggesting it hasn’t increased water security. The water quality has declined because of pollution by fertilizers. There has had to be a lot of resettlement – formerly the area was inhabited by 120,000 people who were forced to leave and seek a new home and lifestyle. It has also reduced the amount of silt that is being deposited which creates a loss of soil nutrients. It has also increased erosion – river banks are collapsing because of increased scour, resulting in the loss of agricultural land.  

Water stress is a massive problem in California and it depends on 3 major water supply lines in order to supply its growing industry and population. These schemes (SWP and the CVP) provide drinking water for around 22 million Californians.  Water is transported 500km across the desert via a system of aqueducts from Lake Havasu to Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona. The water has to be raised 400m by using several pumping systems along the route, using hydro-electric power generated by the Colorado River. However, by the time the water reaches Tucson it has become very salty therefore it has to be treated before it can be used.

These methods of controlling the Colorado are unsustainable, creating social, economic and environmental implications. Wetlands have been drained, natural habitats altered, and fish stocks depleted, to secure water supplies. Pollution is also a massive problem as well as the over extraction of groundwater and increasing salinity.

In my opinion, the massive negative implications involved with large scale water management projects outweigh the benefits and in some cases e.g. the three gorges dam, it hasn’t actually improved water security. I believe that a greater quantity of small scale projects is the way forward in improving water security.

Water conservation involves reducing and re-using our water rather than simply trying to increase supplies. In a world where the supply is finite, this is an important strategy, which can be carried out as small projects at local levels. In agriculture, it can involve more efficient irrigation where as in industry water can be treated or recycled for further use. Domestically, water savings and water harvesting are beginning to move from a DIY basis to a more commercial footing. In some areas in California they are saving storm water to make supply more efficient; concrete channel storm drains which prevent flooding by directing the storm water into the sea, could instead be directed to urban parks. In California there would be 30% savings if leaks were repaired, supplies were metered and all the appliances were more efficient. There would also be 50% savings by planting California-friendly, drought resistant plants and using smart sprinkler systems.

More small scale water projects have been carried out by Water Aid – an international charity with a mission to overcome poverty by enabling the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. For example, Water Aid has set out to improve water security in Ethiopia, using techniques that are appropriate to local conditions, affordable and easy to maintain.  

In conclusion, I believe that large scale water projects do not create a large contribution to increasing water security and therefore smaller projects that are carried out at a local level are more effective.