Water scarcity is a burning issue today that needs immediate attention. It happens when there is not enough water to meet the population’s needs. Water is essential for industry, agriculture, health, hygiene, and sanitation. The only reason life prevails on Earth, and not any other planet, is the existence of water.

Water covers 70% of our planet, and it’s easy to think we will have plenty of it. But freshwater, which we use to drink, bathe, and irrigate our farms, is scarce. Freshwater makes up for 3% of the world’s total water; two-thirds is hidden beneath frozen glaciers or otherwise unusable.

There are a lot of factors that contribute to water scarcity such as climate change, population growth, unsustainable use of water, inadequate infrastructure, and primarily lack of awareness among people. According to the United Nations, by 2030, global water demand is expected to exceed supply by 40%.

A recent report by the National Institute for transforming India presented an alarming picture of India’s dreadful water crisis. The study demonstrated a Composite water management Index, measuring water outcomes( groundwater sustainability and rural drinking water coverage) and management ( efficiency measures and regulations).

The National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog predicts that 21 cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai, will run out of groundwater by 2030. This will affect 100 million people and leave 40% of India’s population without access to drinking water. If things continue as they are, in 20 years, over 60 percent of all aquifers will be in a critical state.

The absence of clear water leads to several problems, including malnutrition, economic instability, and waterborne diseases. According to UNICEF, by 2040, roughly 1 in 4 children worldwide will live in extremely high water stress areas. For 2.4 billion people, the absence of clean water is a major problem since it leads to diseases like cholera and typhoid fever. Diarrheal diseases alone claim the lives of two million people annually, the majority of them are youngsters.

There are many root causes of our current water crisis, which in turn affect everything from harvest to public health. Let’s discuss some of the major causes of water scarcity.

Causes of Water Scarcity

1)- Climate Change

Climate change is undoubtedly one of the biggest reasons behind the current global water crisis. It is affecting precipitation patterns, leading to droughts and famines in many areas across the world. The unpredictable rains have made it even worse for everyone.

For example, in 2018, Cape Town in South Africa experienced a water crisis and became the first well-developed city to run out of drinking water. The reasons are extreme drought, poor water resource management, and overconsumption. 

2)- Water Pollution

This has been touted to have killed more people each year than all forms of violence combined. Since we only have less than 1% of accessible drinking water, we must keep in check how we use it. More than 80% of the world’s wastewater comes back into the environment without being treated. There are a lot of factors that contribute to water pollution.

3)- War and Conflict

 War and conflict across the globe have worsened the water crisis. The Russia-Ukraine war and the recent attack on Gaza by Israel have made the availability of water even more difficult.

4)- Lack of Awareness

A lot of people across the globe are still unaware of the water crisis we are dealing with and are irresponsible towards it. There must be proper awareness of the importance of water and how it should be treated judiciously.

Consequences of Water Scarcity

The consequences of water shortage are severe and need immediate attention. Some of the consequences of water scarcity are.

1)- Damaged Ecosystems

Water scarcity negatively impacts rivers, lakes, and other freshwater resources in diverse ways. It damages the ecosystem in some ways, including increased salinity, nutrient contamination, and the disappearance of wetlands and floodplains. The lack of available water resources threatens ecosystems and biodiversity, including freshwater fish.

2)- Disappearing Wetlands

Since 1900, around half of the world’s wetlands have been lost. Rice is cultivated in wetlands and is a staple food for half of the world’s population. Additionally, they offer various ecosystem services—such as recreation, storm protection, flood management, and water filtration—that benefit mankind.

3)- High Food Prices

To produce the food we consume, we need water. Food prices have skyrocketed as a result of severe droughts that destroyed crops. As a result, it is difficult for families to fend for themselves, and the regions are experiencing high rates of malnutrition. The United Nations has laid a statutory warning if things get worse, a humanitarian crisis will break out. 

4)- Geopolitical Tension

One of the biggest effects of water shortage is that it will create a need for competition between water users, sparkling conflicts putting millions of lives at risk. On a larger scale, water conflicts and other political issues have been the source of conflict between India and its neighbor, Pakistan. For years, the two countries have fought over this, and who gets what? The water crisis is just making the conditions worse. 

10 Ways to Prevent Water Scarcity

Water today is traded as a commodity and needs to be prevented at all costs. Here are 10 ways in which you can prevent water scarcity.

1)- Promote Water Conservation

One of the most important steps in dealing with prevention is promoting water conservation. Implementing water conservation schemes through small tasks like fixing leaks, installing water-saving devices, and adopting efficient methods can have an enormous impact.  Encourage everyone around you to do their bit for the environment.

2)- Invest in Water Infrastructure

The best way to do that is to upgrade the already existing infrastructure to avoid loss in any form. From pipelines to treatment plans, a better system will help us conserve water better.

3)- Establish Water Pricing Systems

To promote efficient water use and discourage waste, establish pricing systems that accurately reflect the full cost of water. The cost should be the same for everyone, irrespective of accessibility. Even penalizing them for wrong usage would keep people in check. 

4)- Adopt Sustainable Agricultural Practices

To save water and cut down on agricultural water waste. They should encourage sustainable agricultural techniques, including crop rotation, rainwater collection, and drip irrigation. These are small practices that will help the agriculture sector greatly. 

5)-  Preserve and Restore Natural Ecosystems

Preserving parts such as wetlands, forests, and watersheds, which control water flow, will help replenish aquifers and maintain water quality.

6)-  Encourage Water Reuse and Recycling

To lessen the demand for freshwater introducing the practice of 3Rs would be very beneficial. It will also ease the strain on water supplies. Municipality, agriculture, and industries can use this to a great extent. This will prevent the unnecessary waste of water. 

7)- Increase Knowledge and Awareness

One of the best ways to prevent this is spreading knowledge throughout the community. Topics such as the value of water conservation techniques and sustainable methods of managing water resources should be talked about more. 

8)- Access to Water Resources

To ensure fair access to water resources, avoid pollution, and settle disputes over water allocation. This will help form a structure and make rules that will make water conservation easier. 

9)- Invest in Water Treatment and Desalination Technology

Much money should be invested in making wastewater and saltwater usable. This will reduce our dependence on ground and fresh water. 

10)- Encourage International Cooperation

To solve transboundary water concerns, exchange best practices, and create cooperative methods for sustainable water management, encourage cooperation and partnerships across nations, regions, and stakeholders.

Conclusion

Water scarcity is an issue that needs immediate attention from all sectors of society. We are far from where we should be, but it’s not like the goal is impossible to attain. Governments and citizens worldwide are waking up to the challenges of water shortage and are recognizing the importance of water conservation. Each year brings more solutions that will help us in preserving water. However, the best decisions will not be implemented themselves. Along with fresh water, public pressure and political will are critical resources in ensuring a sustainable future for all.