Countries at different levels of development have water supply problems — Edexcel GCSE Geography A
Verified courseTeaching note checked against the official specification.
Countries at different levels of development have water supply problems explained
Countries at different levels of development have water supply problems covers 2 specification points, including Sewage and water pipes).
Read the full explanation
and B. Why emerging or developing countries have…. Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
a. Why the UK has water supply problems (imbalances of the supply and demand for rainfall, seasonal imbalances and an ageing infrastructure: sewage and water pipes).
This criterion asks why the UK, a high-income country, still has water supply problems. Use three linked causes. First, supply and demand are out of balance: rainfall is unevenly distributed, with wetter western and northern areas far from the densely populated south-east, so water must be moved long distances. Second, seasonal imbalances arise because summer rainfall is often lower while demand for gardens, washing and industry rises, so reservoirs must be managed carefully. Third, an ageing infrastructure of old sewage and water pipes leaks and overflows, losing treated water before it reaches homes. For each cause, state it, explain how it creates a shortfall or loss, and link it to the UK context. Avoid listing causes without explaining their effect.
b. Why emerging or developing countries have water supply problems (access to only untreated water, pollution of water courses and low annual rainfall).
This criterion asks why emerging or developing countries have water supply problems. Cover three named causes, each explained rather than just named. First, many people have access to only untreated water, drawn from rivers, ponds or open wells, which can carry pathogens and cause disease. Second, pollution of water courses occurs when untreated sewage, waste and runoff from farms or factories enter rivers and lakes, reducing the water that is safe to use. Third, low annual rainfall means little water is naturally available, so communities depend on limited sources that may be overused. For each cause, state it, explain the chain from cause to shortage or health risk, and link it to a developing-country context. Do not treat low rainfall as the only reason, because it interacts with the other two.
Your focus
- Identify three causes of water supply problems in the UK.
- Explain how rainfall distribution, seasonal timing and ageing pipes reduce the water available to users.
- Select the option that correctly links each UK cause to its effect on supply or demand.
Show all 6 objectives
- Identify three causes of water supply problems in emerging or developing countries.
- Explain how untreated water, pollution and low rainfall reduce safe water supply.
- Select the option that correctly links each developing-country cause to its effect on water supply or health.
Countries at different levels of development have water supply problems exam tips
Marking Points
- Identifies that rainfall is unevenly distributed relative to where people live and use water, creating a supply and demand imbalance.
- Explains that seasonal imbalance arises when lower summer rainfall meets higher demand, and links this to reservoir management.
- Explains that ageing sewage and water pipes leak or overflow, so treated water is lost before it reaches users.
- Links each cause to a specific effect on supply or demand rather than naming it alone.
- Uses a UK-specific example, such as demand in the south-east set against rainfall in the west and north.
- Identifies that many people in emerging or developing countries have access only to untreated water, which may carry pathogens.
- Explains that pollution of water courses by untreated sewage, waste or runoff reduces the amount of safe water available.
- Explains that low annual rainfall limits natural supply and increases reliance on limited or overused sources.
- Links each cause to a shortage or health risk rather than naming it alone.
- Uses an example from a developing-country context to support the explanation.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Check each option against all three named causes before selecting the answer.
- 💡Eliminate any option that describes only a general lack of rainfall, because the criterion focuses on distribution and timing.
- 💡Recall one UK example for each cause so you can recognise correct options that use specific detail.
- 💡Check each option against all three named causes before selecting the answer.
- 💡Eliminate any option that gives a single cause as the complete explanation, because the criterion asks for three linked causes.
- 💡Recall one developing-country example for each cause so you can recognise correct options that use specific detail.
Common Mistakes
- Lists old pipes as a cause without saying how they reduce the water delivered; explain the leakage or overflow and its effect on supply.
- Treats the UK as short of rain overall; the problem is the distribution and timing of rainfall, so state that rainfall is unevenly distributed rather than absent.
- Confuses seasonal imbalance with a general lack of rainfall; explain that the problem is the mismatch in timing between rainfall and demand.
- Treats untreated water only as a problem of quantity; explain that it is also a quality and health problem.
- Attributes pollution only to industry; include untreated domestic sewage and farm runoff as well.
- Presents low rainfall as the sole cause; explain how it interacts with limited access to treated water and with pollution.