Water scarcity: Navigating the challenges

Sarah Goldsmith | Sustainability, | Articles

Many of us take water for granted, turning on a tap without a second thought to the clean, abundant flow that emerges. Yet, for a significant portion of the global population, access to water is a daily struggle, not a given. It’s a sad fact that one in ten people don’t have access to clean drinking water. Water scarcity affects billions worldwide, compelling families to travel long distances or rely on contaminated sources, risking health and well-being. This stark contrast highlights a profound disparity: while some enjoy water as an unlimited resource, others face its absence as a critical, life-altering challenge.

It’s a sad fact that one in ten people don’t have access to clean drinking water.

Water scarcity can result from a combination of natural and human-made factors. From climate change to pollution and from growing global population to overuse and mismanagement of water resources.

In this article we’ll explore the primary issues behind water scarcity and address any solutions being made to try and combat these challenges.

Climate change.

Climate change significantly exacerbates water scarcity across the globe, primarily through altering precipitation patterns and increasing temperatures. These shifts lead to more frequent and severe droughts in some regions, while others face floods that can also disrupt the availability of clean drinking water.

Warmer air can hold more moisture, leading to heavy rainfall events that increase the likelihood of flooding in some regions. Intense precipitation can overwhelm drainage systems, rivers, and reservoirs, causing flash floods and inundating low-lying areas. And on the flipside, rising temperatures contribute to more frequent and severe droughts in many parts of the world. Higher temperatures accelerate evaporation rates, leading to soil moisture depletion and reduced water availability for agriculture, ecosystems, and human consumption.

Pollution.

Pollution is another cause of water scarcity. This can come from pesticides and fertilisers which are used for agriculture and can wash away from farms untreated. There is also the issue of human waste which isn’t thoroughly cleansed, leading to harmful bacteria developing. A slightly more recent pollutant which is gaining a lot of attention is microplastics which can be found in tap water and single-use plastic bottles alike. This can exacerbate the scarcity of what is already a limited resource.

Growing population.

Each year, the population surges dramatically, having more than doubled in the last 50 years. According to the United Nations, approximately 2 billion individuals reside in nations facing significant water stress, with 4 billion enduring severe water scarcity for at least one month annually. This population growth escalates the demand for water, stretching the capacities of many countries’ water resources and infrastructure beyond their limits. As the populace expands, so does the strain on aging water infrastructures, with outdated, leaky, and deteriorating pipelines struggling to meet the escalating demand.

Agriculture.

Agriculture significantly contributes to water scarcity through extensive irrigation practices and inefficient water usage. It uses 70% of the world’s accessible freshwater, but some 60% of this is wasted due to leaky irrigation systems. Large-scale farming often relies on irrigation systems that extract water from rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers faster than they can replenish.

Moreover, the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture contaminates water sources, further reducing their availability for human consumption and ecosystem support. As a result, agricultural activities exacerbate water scarcity in many regions, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water management practices within the farming sector.

Addressing water scarcity: uniting efforts for sustainable solutions.

Efforts to address water scarcity encompass a spectrum of strategies worldwide. Governments, NGOs, and communities are implementing multifaceted approaches to mitigate this pressing issue.

Conservation measures such as promoting water-efficient technologies and incentivising water-saving practices in agriculture, industry, and households play a crucial role. Investing in water infrastructure upgrades, including the repair and modernisation of aging systems, enhances efficiency and reduces losses from leaks. Sustainable agricultural practices like drip irrigation and crop rotation minimise water consumption while preserving soil health.

Moreover, education and awareness campaigns foster a culture of water stewardship, encouraging individuals to adopt responsible water usage habits. Collaborative efforts across sectors and regions are essential to confront water scarcity and safeguard this vital resource for future generations.

What can we do to help with water scarcity?

Sign up to Made Blue to give back, and help those in developing countries have access to clean drinking water. Swap with a POU cooler for instant chilled water rather than running the tap for a period of time until the tepid water runs cold and wasting that water, or use a boiling tap rather than filling the kettle each time, then emptying it out.

Another simple way to help conserve water includes not running tap when you’re brushing your teeth.