It is accompanied by a Story Map. According to figures cited in the report, 3. By , this is expected to rise to more than five billion. In the past 20 years, terrestrial water storage — the summation of all water on the land surface and in the subsurface, including soil moisture, snow and ice — has dropped at a rate of 1cm per year. The biggest losses are occurring in Antarctica and Greenland, but many highly populated lower latitude locations are experiencing significant water losses in areas that are traditionally providing water supply, with major ramifications for water security.
The situation is worsening by the fact that only 0. Water-related hazards have increased in frequency over the past 20 years. Most of the flood-related deaths and economic losses were recorded in Asia, where end-to-end warning systems for riverine floods require strengthening.
Most drought-related deaths occurred in Africa, indicating a need for stronger end-to-end warning systems for drought in that region. But, despite some advances, countries remain off track to hit the goal of sustainably managing their water resources by In , 3.
The current rates of progress need to quadruple in order to reach the global targets by As the U. Given that we use water for everything, the simple math is that more people mean more water stress across the country. And we are already tapping into our reserves. Aquifers, porous rocks and sediment that store vast volumes of water underground , are being drained.
Groundwater is being pumped faster than it can be naturally replenished. Decreasing supply and increasing demand are creating a perfect water storm, the effects of which are already being felt. The Colorado River carved its way 1, miles from the Rockies to the Gulf of California for millions of years, but now no longer reaches the sea. With a potential disaster looming, there are doubts about the effectiveness and environmental impacts of traditional responses, including expanding reservoirs and mining more aquifers.
New solutions are needed. Desalination plants can produce as much as 50 million gallons of freshwater a day—California has 11 desalination plants, and another 10 are being planned. But despite costs that are half of what they once were, desalinated water is still about twice as expensive as extracted freshwater.
This has led to misallocation of water, and a lack of investments in infrastructure and new water technologies that use water more efficiently. After all, why would a company or government invest in expensive water-saving technologies, when water is cheaper than the technology in question?
When the price of receiving clean water is closer to its actual service cost, efficient water use will be incentivized. And on the flip side, the poor often end up paying disproportionately high prices for water, stunting development. Amidst these seven deadly water sins, there is good news: governments, businesses, universities and citizens around the world are waking up to water challenges, and beginning to take action.
Each year brings more solutions — like using wastewater for energy , using restoration to bring water back to dry topographies, and monitoring groundwater levels more closely. However, even the best solutions will not implement themselves. Along with fresh water, political will and public pressure are critical resources in ensuring a sustainable future for all. WRI relies on the generosity of donors like you to turn research into action.
You can support our work by making a gift today or exploring other ways to give. This website uses cookies to provide you with an improved user experience. By continuing to browse this site, you consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies. For further details please visit our. What can we help you find? Filter Your Site Experience by Topic Applying the filters below will filter all articles, data, insights and projects by the topic area you select. Search WRI. Water scarcity already affects every continent.
Water use has been growing globally at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century, and an increasing number of regions are reaching the limit at which water services can be sustainably delivered, especially in arid regions.
Drought in Niger in
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