5.1 Categories
75
• Point B gives M1 = M2 = Min
• Point C gives M1 = M2 = Max
• Point D gives M1 = M2 = Amax
Although the impacts indicated in Table 5.1 are self-explanatory, they will become
clearer as we go forward in this chapter. For example, many water systems around
the world sometimes operate under Extreme Water Poverty to the extent that people
die, directly or indirectly, due to the lack of proper freshwater. By indirectly, for
example, we mean hunger because water is indispensable to food production.
M2
M1
1
D
A
O
3
5
2
C
4
B
Max
Min
Amax
Amin
M1 = M2
Fig. 5.1 A general structure for comparing categories of a system
Table 5.1 Water categories, codes and impacts
Category code
Water category
Impact
1
Extreme Water Poverty
Death (avoid totally)
2
Water Poverty
Survival (transitional)
3
Water Wise
Equitable
4
Water Abundance
Unsustainable (transitional)
5
Extreme Water Abundance
Insecure (avoid totally)