Current and Future Water Scarcity and Stress

Abstract

Current trends show that numerous water systems which sustain ecosystems, as well as growing human populations, have become stressed. Water sources are either being degraded by various types of pollution becoming unsuitable for use or have dried up. The different water use sectors have contributed to increased water scarcity by increased water wastage through inefficiencies as well as pollution. Climate change has also attributed to water shortages and droughts in some areas and floods in others around the globe. This chapter contains various case studies which emphasise the different manners in which water scarcity or stress can occur in various regions around the world. Current consumption rates and further expansion and growth of the human population will exacerbate water stress and scarcity within regions and increase the rate of ecosystem degradation around the world. This should be a concern for all as it further increases water as a global risk.