The Growing Strain on Global Water Resources
Too Much Demand, Too Little Water.
The world's conventional freshwater sources—including lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers—are finite and under increasing pressure. As populations grow and economies expand, global water consumption continues to rise. Today, the world uses approximately 10 billion tonnes of water every day, with 70% dedicated to agriculture, 20% to industry, and the remaining 10% used for domestic consumption. Together, this amounts to roughly 3.8 trillion cubic metres of water annually, a figure that continues to increase year after year.
Freshwater Availability
Meeting global needs requires approximately 3,800 cubic kilometres of freshwater each year to support agriculture, industry, and communities. While natural processes such as rainfall, snowfall, and surface runoff generate an estimated 52,580 cubic kilometres of freshwater annually, much of this water remains inaccessible, stored in glaciers, ice caps, or remote environments.
A Limited Accessible Supply
Although substantial quantities of freshwater are renewed each year, only a small portion is readily available for human use. Approximately 1.2% of renewable freshwater resources exist as accessible surface water, leaving only a fraction of the world's freshwater supply available to support growing demand. This imbalance highlights the importance of developing innovative and sustainable solutions to help secure future water resources.
Water: The Most Critical but Most Used Resource of the World – Development Alternatives | Blogs
Saltwater Intrusion: A Growing Threat
Saltwater intrusion is an increasingly significant challenge for coastal communities around the world. As seawater migrates into freshwater aquifers, it can reduce the availability of safe drinking water and place additional pressure on already limited freshwater resources. Despite these risks, many coastal regions and island nations continue to experience strong population growth, increasing development, and rising water demand as more people choose to live and work in these desirable locations.
Growing Risks to Water Security
Today, an estimated 60 million people worldwide are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, saltwater intrusion into the aquifers they depend on for freshwater. As populations continue to expand in coastal regions, the strain on groundwater resources is expected to increase, creating additional challenges for communities seeking reliable and sustainable water supplies.
Access to Safe Water Remains a Global Challenge
While water demand continues to grow, access to safe and reliable water remains a significant global issue. Approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide lack adequate access to safe drinking water, while 3.5 billion people do not have access to safely managed sanitation services. The challenge is particularly severe in rural communities, where four out of every five people lacking basic drinking water services reside. These realities highlight the urgent need for innovative water solutions that can help improve water security and support growing populations around the world.
Statistics | UN World Water Development Report
Climate Change and Water Availability
More Frequent and Severe Droughts
Climate change is contributing to longer and more severe droughts across many regions of the world. Rising temperatures increase evaporation from lakes, rivers, reservoirs and soil. This reduces the amount of freshwater available to support communities, agriculture, and industries. As drought conditions persist, groundwater reserves are relied upon heavily, placing additional strain on already limited resources. As climate patterns continue to evolve, it will become increasingly important to find sustainable water solutions.