Water access, use and scarcity
Water security
Water security is the ability of a population to ensure sustainable access to adequate quantities of safe, clean water to meet the needs of people, ecosystems, and agriculture while maintaining the quality and availability of water resources for future generations.
Types:
- Physical Scarcity: Lack of sufficient freshwater resources.
- Economic Scarcity: Inadequate infrastructure or financial means to access water.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces economic scarcity, while the Middle East faces physical scarcity.
Factors Impacting Water Security
- Population Growth: Increases demand for water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses.
- Climate Change: Alters precipitation patterns, leading to droughts or floods.
- Pollution: Contaminates freshwater sources, reducing availability.
- Overuse: Excessive extraction for agriculture, industry, or urban use.
- Infrastructure: Lack of efficient water storage, distribution, and treatment facilities.
- Political and Economic Factors: Poor governance and unequal access to resources exacerbate water insecurity.
Impacts of Inequitable Access to Drinkable Water
- Health Risks: Increased disease prevalence due to reliance on unsafe water sources.
- Economic Burden: Time and resources spent on accessing water reduce productivity.
- Social Inequality: Women and marginalized groups are disproportionately affected.
Water Conservation Techniques
- Domestic Level:
