In the UK, the geographical distribution of water supply does not align with water demand. The North and West receive over 1000 mm of rainfall annually but contain less than 30% of the population, whereas the South and East receive under 700 mm of rainfall but contain over 60% of the population.
Which of the following statements correctly identifies the resulting distribution of water availability in the UK?
The North and West experience water surplus (high supply, low demand), while the South and East experience water deficit (low supply, high demand).
The South and East experience water surplus (high supply, low demand), while the North and West experience water deficit (low supply, high demand).
Both regions maintain a water surplus due to high annual rainfall exceeding 1500 mm1500\text{ mm}1500 mm nationwide.
Both regions maintain a water deficit because demand across the UK consistently exceeds supply due to a national average rainfall of less than 300 mm300\text{ mm}300 mm.
