IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FUTURE WATER DEMAND

摘要

A significant body of current scientific literature has found that an increase in temperature and change in rainfall patterns around the globe are due to changes in the climate. These changes are expected to affect the water demand pattern and availability of freshwater resources at local, regional and global scales. In addition, population growth, rapid development in urban areas, other competing demands for water and changes in socio-economic conditions will put additional pressure on the water supply, particularly during prolonged dry spells. Therefore, prediction of the potential future impacts of climatic changes on water demand is crucial to take appropriate measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on water supply and, hence, ensure that water demand is met under prolonged drought periods. This paper evaluates the impact of climate change on residential water demand in the Blue Mountains Water Supply System in New South Wales (NSW).