Water Stress

Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds supply for significant periods, or where poor quality restricts its use. It causes deterioration of fresh water resources in terms of both quantity and quality. Today, over one third of the world’s population already faces some form of water scarcity:

• Economic water scarcity occurs due to a lack of investment or management and is often characterised by poor infrastructures and unequal distribution of water. Although this is often found in poorer, developing countries, its prevalence in some parts of the developed world is rising.
  
• Physical water scarcity occurs when the water resources cannot meet the demands of the population. Although most associate arid regions with physical water scarcity, there is a significant trend in man-made scarcity in both developing and developed economies.

Over a billion people currently experience water scarcity having less than the minimum 50 litres a day recommended by the UN. In Europe we use around 300 litres a day and the average US citizen consumes twice that.

Climate change has additional impact on water, as some countries have increased rainfall and others less, so water stress is fast becoming the international issue: Wars from now on will be fought over water not oil and regions of high water stress will face economic, societal and so potentially political risks.

For more information on water stress: http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2238684/un-half-world-population-face