GROUP ASSIGNMENT 2: ESSAY Group members: 1. MOSEME MOSEME: 2021382755 2. LEBOGANG MOTLODING: 2021083353 3. MAHLAKU SEKGOTLA: 2021435520 4. MASHILOANE KGWASI: 2021297615 5. MANKONKWANA NOSIPHO: 2021295320 6. NGOBESE THANDOLWETHU: 2021103276 7. SIHLANGU SIMPHIWE: 2021663691 8. TAU REITUMETSE: 2021610676 9. TSEOLE TIEHO: 2021452038 10. QALANTO VUYOLWETHU: 2021036310 Water is one of the important resources on earth and its availability and distribution are important to our survival. In this essay we will be exploring several factors that affect the availability, reliability and the distribution of water, including both natural and human factors. Natural/physical factors include elements such as climate, topography and hydrological processes that naturally affect the availability and distribution of water. For instance, areas with high rainfall and large water bodies are likely to have sufficient water resources, while dry areas like the desert may face water shortages. On the contrary, human factors include activities such as water extraction, which is the process of taking water from rivers, lakes etc. And using it for things such as irrigation, drinking and industrial use can lead to the scarcity of water. Dam construction can affect the normal flow of rivers and disrupt the water cycle which then changes the water availability and distribution. Pollution such as sewage, industrial discharge and agricultural runoff may pollute water bodies which could make the water unfit for human use. Lastly, land use changes such as deforestation, urbanization and soil erosion can change the natural hydrological cycle which then leads to changes in water availability and distribution (Studocu, 2023). The statement “The availability, reliability, and distribution of water is influenced by both natural/physical as well as human factors” essentially means that the availability, dependability, and spread of water sources are impacted by both natural environment and human activities. To elaborate more on our previously stated point, areas in arid regions naturally have low rainfall and little water, which means that the area will naturally have limited water. On the other hand, human activities such as water extraction for agriculture or even domestic use can deplete water sources especially when they exceed the natural capacity of water. This statement can also mean that the availability and distribution of water can be impacted by natural factors through the involvement of elements such as climate and hydrological processes. While on the other hand, the availability and distribution of water can be impacted by human factors through the involvement of pollution and dam constructions that can lead to changes in the natural water cycle (Studocu, 2023). South Africa is already a water-stressed country with limited and unpredictable precipitation. The country receives 497mm of rainwater per year on average, which is over 50% less than the global average of 860mm per year. This water scarcity manifests itself in the way water resources are divided around the country. Natural factors that influence the availability and distribution of water. Firstly, Climate and weather, changes in yearly rainfall, increased runoff, which impacts the quality of water in streams and rivers, and sea level are all examples of climate changes. Secondly, Landscape/Topography, the flow of water is influenced by the country’s landscape, mountainous places like KZN and Mpumalanga acquire greater amounts of rainfall and have more available water, but low-lying areas like Northern Cape may face water scarcity. And lastly, Rivers and Lakes, the orange river is vital to the economy of Lesotho and South Africa, providing fresh water to crop irrigation and electricity generations. Human factors that influence the availability and distribution of water, firstly, Climate, South Africa has a varied climate, ranging from arid to subtropical. The distribution of water is heavily influenced by rainfall patterns across different regions. The western and northwestern parts of the country generally receive less rainfall and are more arid, resulting in limited water availability. In contrast, the eastern and northeastern regions receive higher rainfall and have more abundant water resources. Secondly, Population and Urbanization, the population growth and urbanization trends in South Africa impact water demand and distribution. Rapid urbanization puts pressure on water resources, particularly in densely populated areas. Increased demand for water in urban centers can strain existing infrastructure and water supply systems. Balancing water availability and distribution in response to population growth and urbanization is a significant challenge. And lastly, Deforestation it is a process of cutting down the trees and never planting them again. As more forests are down, transpiration levels are altered, drying up the moisture in the air and disrupting the water cycle’s balance. A continuous cycle of dry air and low precipitation would inevitably result in a drought-prone, desert-like climate. According to Lai (2022), climate change, along with water mismanagement and excessive use, is leading to droughts and water scarcities in various regions worldwide. Beyond the immediate danger to people’s health, those shortages can result in a range of problems, such as food insecurity and increased conflicts among communities. The tragic issue of water scarcity is driven by several reasons. Firstly, Water waste, lack of efficient use of water in our communities contribute to water scarcity globally. According to Slate (2016) issues like pipe leakages, overusing water in household and small businesses gradually limit the access of adequate quantity of freshwater in the long run. About 20% to 40% of freshwater is lost per year due to wasting water. Secondly, Lack of proper management of water infrastructure, the imbalance of power within the local government such as corruption has a negative impact on the maintenance of water infrastructure. This results in water infrastructure being damaged, leaked, and contaminated which affects the availability of good usable water for communities. Thirdly, Water pollution, water shortages is driven by water pollution, which occurs when harmful substances like toxic waste, petroleum, and microorganism contaminated water sources through human use and the long-term health of available water resources (Claudette, 2021). And lastly Droughts and Climate change, according to Lai (2022), water shortage can happen for various reasons, and one of them is drought. Drought is a natural event where certain areas experience extended periods of dry conditions with minimal precipitation, such as rain, snow, or sleet. Although rainfall naturally fluctuates across regions and seasons, climate change and the increasing global temperatures are changing these patterns. This, I turn, affects the availability and distribution of water resources worldwide. According to reports, Deputy Minister of Water and Enviromental Affairs Rejoice Mabudafhasi said independent research has shown that if no changes are made, there will be no water in South Africa by the year 2050. Which calls for strategies or solutions to be made so that these problems can be avoided. Therefore, strategies can be efficient methods of irrigation, such as flood and drip irrigation, and the reduction of water loss through evaporation by storing water in underground aquifers. According to Jones (2012) water is a necessity for all sectors and therefore mor people need to step up the effort in recycling water, as well as discovering other ways of saving or protecting groundwater resources. The last effective water saving practices include a system of water recycling where used water can be drained through a filtration process to remove all solids and then treated with chemical intervention to make it suitable for use in plant facilities. REFERENCES: • Adepoju, A. (1993). 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