(see Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Water Crisis (Australia)).

Australia has now been in a water crisis for many years. This problem is ever increasing with the countries booming economy and, increasing population.

Causes

Salinity

Salinity, is the process where the concentration of salts in soil or water, causes the land to be unsuitable for use in farming and uninhabitable to people.

Salinity in Australia is a major problem, especially in the Wheatbelt where 70% of all salinity in Australia occurs.

When vegetation such as trees and shrubs are cleared or majorly reduced in numbers. The amount of water used by the trees is reduced.

Salts that would normally be kept below the roots of the vegetation rise to the surface of the land. This is caused by the rise in the water table

Drought

A drought is the process where unusual dry weather occurs where there is usually more rain or precipitation.

Droughts are regular occurrences in Australia however; the problem is becoming more severe as there is less rain and more droughts occurring.

Global Warming

Global Warming is the process of the speeding up of the Earth’s surface temperature due to human activity.

It is the main human caused factor of Australia’s water problems. It causes water in dams, pools and on gardens to evaporate at a faster rate then normal.

Since 90% of the water available to us is evaporated any increase of evaporation caused by global warming is a major problem.

Before any of the other problems such as salinity and drought can be fixed, global warming needs to be stopped or slowed at least.

The speed of global warming is increasing at an accelerating rate due to the industrialization of countries such as India, Asia and Africa.

Other factors which are helping to speed up Global Warming include the increasing population of the world and the major reliance on oil.

The main waste these countries produce is carbon dioxide followed by methane.

The main producer of carbon dioxide is electricity production, followed by transport vehicles such as trucks, cars, ships and aeroplanes.

Wastage

Wastage is the process of using something carelessly or excessively without any effect.

Wastage is the second largest contributor to Australia’s water shortage problem.

For most of Australia's history, there has been an abundant fresh water supply.

Water has been taken for granted and it is only until a major drought comes that people realized that this extraordinary lifestyle is unsustainable.

Long showers, regular baths and washing the car on the driveway will have to become things of the past.

Instead, short showers and washing the car on the front lawn will replace the luxuries but, is it that hard?

References

Microsoft Encarta Myers, Norman (2004) Environment, Water, Access ToRedmond, WA, USA: Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Encarta Donald L. Suarez (2004) Salinitization Redmond, WA, USA: Microsoft Corporation

Encarta Microsoft Encarta (2004) Drought Redmond, WA, USA: Microsoft Corporation

CSIRO Australia (2006) Water Management Sydney, NSW, Aus: CSIRO Research [[1]]

CSIRO Australia (2006) Water, Research, Sensing Sydney, NSW, Aus: CSIRO Research [[2]]

West Australian Government Cabinet Document - Managing Water Resources (2003) ISBN 1374702568295