The industrialization, global warming and increasing populations are the biggest threat to natural water resources. It is expected that by 2025 the world population would be around 7.9 billion but there will not be sufficient water to quench everybody thirst.
As a matter of fact even now the shortage of fresh water in Africa, Middle East, Australia, India, eastern Asia and the Southwest U.S is causing dispute and in future water-related disputes are set to go up. Trillions of dollars would be needed to procure drinkable water for everyone.
The United Nations Human Development Report for 2006 said:
By 2025, if current global water consumption continues, more than 3 billion people will be living in areas where water is scarce.
The industrial and agricultural expansions have further worsened the water problem in many parts of the world like Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Even the U.S is expected to face the same situation soon. In fact water level is coming down in the North American Great Lakes, which are the largest pools of fresh water on Earth.
Deane Dray, who analyzes water markets for Goldman Sachs in New York said:
Regardless of what happens to the economy – you can bet and bank on a predictable demand for water. It is a product that is essential to life.
Though many countries have ambitious plans to solve their water crisis but that would require whopping funds and great efforts.
Source: Reuters