Water scarcity is a condition where the demand for freshwater exceeds the available supply in a specific area, making it insufficient to meet human and environmental needs
. It can be understood as an imbalance between water supply and demand that varies locally and intensifies with increasing demand and decreasing water quantity or quality
. There are two main types of water scarcity:
- Physical water scarcity occurs when natural water resources are inadequate to satisfy all demands, including those of ecosystems. It often affects dry or arid regions and can be worsened by climate change and overuse of water resources
. Overdevelopment of hydraulic infrastructure and environmental degradation are symptoms of this type.
- Economic water scarcity happens when water is available but access is limited due to poor infrastructure, mismanagement, or financial constraints. This can result in polluted or unsanitary water supplies and inefficient water use
Main Causes of Water Scarcity
- Climate Change
Changing weather patterns lead to unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and melting glaciers, all of which reduce freshwater availability. Climate change also affects the timing and amount of precipitation, increasing water stress in vulnerable regions
- Population Growth and Urbanization
Increasing population raises water demand for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture. Rapid urban expansion often outpaces water infrastructure development, leading to overuse and depletion of local water sources. Urbanization also reduces groundwater recharge by covering natural land with impermeable surfaces
- Water Pollution
Contamination from industrial waste, pesticides, fertilizers, and untreated sewage makes water unsafe for consumption and damages freshwater ecosystems. Pollution can seep into underground aquifers, reducing usable water supplies
- Agricultural Practices
Agriculture consumes about 70% of accessible freshwater, but inefficient irrigation and cultivation of water-intensive crops lead to significant water waste and depletion of rivers and aquifers. Agricultural runoff also contributes to water pollution
- Poor Water Management and Infrastructure
Lack of investment in water infrastructure, inefficient water use, and unregulated water extraction exacerbate scarcity. Issues like leakages in supply systems ("non-revenue water") waste large amounts of treated water
- Environmental Degradation
Deforestation and removal of natural vegetation reduce the land's capacity to retain and filter water, worsening scarcity
In summary, water scarcity arises from a complex interplay of natural factors like climate and geography, combined with human-driven causes such as population growth, pollution, and mismanagement of water resources
