Water

 k- Diagram the distribution of water use in your country: agriculture, residential, and industrial.

As it can be seen in this graph Australia uses most of its water for Agriculture. Almost 65% of the countries water is used for this purpose, consequently if they want to save water they should focus on implementing new ideas, technology and regulations to lower water consumption. A lot of water is also used  in households and for water supply. However, it is interesting to see how from 2001- 2004 the amount of water used for Agriculture decreased substantially, while the other water consumption areas stayed almost the same. This shows how the Australian government is aware of their weaknesses and are doing everything they can to change this. As a dry country Australia can't afford to use so much water, since a time will come when there is no more water left. 

l- Describe and evaluate the sustainability of freshwater resource usage with reference to a specific location or region.

Where is the water found?

Australia's main water sources are the following. These are located in different parts of the country (Surface Water) 

  • Rivers
  • Lakes
  • Reservoirs
  • Rain Water Tanks  
Where is the water used? 
Water in Australia is mostly used for food production and industrial actives, with only 14% of it accounting for domestic usage. Most of it is consumed in big cities and towns. 

Programs for the Future: 
Australia wants to be sure that they will have water in the future, consequently they are undertaking many projects that will allow this to happen. 
"Australia faces major challenges in ensuring sustainable water supply in the face of drying climate and rising demand for water. In response, the Australian Government's initiative, Water for the Future, provides national leadership in water reform for all Australians."
This Project was created for four main reasons:
  • Using water wisely
  • Taking action on climate change
  • Securing water supplies
  • Supporting healthy rivers
It is also important to consider that in the last years Australia has gone through very extense and poor droughts, therefore, they can't afford to spend the water that they know have. 

"The Australian Government's Water for the Future priorities will be delivered through a ten-year investment in strategic programs, improved water management arrangements, and a renewed commitment to deliver a range of water policy reforms in both rural and urban areas."
 

Other Water Saving Initiatives:

  • Strengthening Basin Communities: This program will enable people to assist local governments for a community-wide planning for a future with less water. 
  • Water Efficiency, Labeling and Standards: This scheme requires certain types of households water-using products to rate and reflect the efficiency of the water used. 
  • Water Recycling: They are beginning to work on guidelines to be able to manage the health and environmental risks of recycling water. This will be divided into different sections, to then determine which one can or can't be used. 
  • National Guidelines For Residential's Customers Water Accounts: It is a voluntary process in which consumers have the opportunity to engage in water conservation programs through informative water bills. 
  • National Urban Planning Principles: "provide Australian governments and water utilities with the tools to better plan the development of urban water and wastewater service delivery in a sustainable and economically efficient manner."

My Opinion: 
Over all, I believe that Australia is prepared to maintain water sustainability. They have various amount of project and they all seem very promising as well as realistic. It is important to consider that Australia is a country which has a lot of money, and consequently they do have the ability to start many of the projects that they have proposed. It also seems to me that this country is well aware that they need to take care of the environment, this can be seen though their energy and water consumption. Hence, it is no surprise that they are so well prepared and ready to take on the needed changes. This country is an MEDC  country meaning that their population is not increasing in a fast manner and this will make it easier for them to make the changes needed. Also, it one should understand that their ideas are not farfetched and this will allow them to actually complete them and follow them instead of giving up on them.