The future of the water crisis and water scarcity.

The future of the water crisis and water scarcity: what happens when rivers run dry?

Reese (Lower Sixth)

Large scale mismanagement and growing populations are slowly swallowing up finite water supplies and creating conflicts. Nations, regions, commercial interests and even neighbours fight for a share of a resource that was once thought limitless.

Most rivers emerge from mountains, gather water from nearby tributaries slowly meander down floodplains and finally meet the ocean. However, the reality is that some rivers are dying as they travel towards the sea instead of growing. Inland seas and wetlands are disappearing too. We live in a world where 7.5 billion people are all competing for one single unevenly distributed resource. The planet is drying up and waterways are turning to sand before they even reach civilisation. With 1 in 5 of the world’s population without access to safe drinking water and 50% lacking water for proper sanitation, 25,000 children die every day from water related diseases. Therefore, controlling water, and with-it nature, is pivotal for guaranteeing human survival across the globe.

Water is in such a short supply and in such high demand that, as with everything else, it will be the rich and powerful countries that will gain the most access to this scarce resource.

The rising demand for water is driven by three main factors: population growth, economic development, and rising living standards (increasing the per capita consumption of water). With the rising demand for water, and the diminishing supply there is increasing competition between water users for this dwindling resource.

Poor management and lack of efficiency will also increase the risk of water insecurity and conflict. For instance, rivers and waterways can be run dry by poor upstream irrigation management leaving downstream farmers with virtually no water at all.

Agriculture, however, is by far the most voracious consumer of water. It dominates water use, as approximately 3,770 kilometres of water are withdrawn each year for agriculture and around 20% of the world’s land is under full irrigation. Most of the irrigation water is pumped directly from aquifers and therefore is leading to groundwater depletion, particularly in China, India, Pakistan and the USA. Clearly, this is an unsustainable approach as hydrological cycles are being seriously disrupted.

The International Food Policy Research Institute (2018) stated that

“in the future, simple technologies on farms such as lining irrigation canals and using perforated hoses can cut water use in half ”

while producing better crops and protecting soils from salt. However, only 1% of the world’s irrigated farms make use of such methods. Even in China, a severely water-stressed country, the number of farms partaking in these methods is below 3%.

Israel, however, is at the forefront of efforts to make agriculture more efficient, by taking an intensive water management approach, employing sub-surface drip irrigation that feeds water directly into the plant’s roots, rather than pouring water onto hot soil, where it will quickly evaporate, ensuring water is more efficiently used.

Although, two thirds of all the water that humans take from nature is used for agriculture, 10% of that water ends up in international trade. Not the actual water itself but the products of its uses. Economists refer to this as virtual water. Virtual water is increasingly contentious, as some people say that without the international water trade, there would be continual water wars. Where, others say that the virtualglobal water trade is what has globalised the impact of emptying our rivers in the first place.

For example, Britain imports 38 million acre-feet a year of virtual water, the equivalent of more than half the flow of the river Nile. Access to safe, potable water was initially regarded as a human right however it is increasingly being seen as a commodity for which a realistic price should be paid. This makes supplying safe water in areas of physical scarcity very difficult, costly, and well beyond the means of very poor people.

To restore our rivers, we need to find ways to meet demand without completely diminishing supply. For example, the water industry should invest more in helping households to become more water efficient. There is enough water, provided we use it sensibly and UN’s sustainable development goals to ‘wipe out hunger and improve access to clean water’, are still within reach if farming practises around the world manage water resources However, many firms aren’t tracking water uses beyond their own operations or aren’t tracking it well. This is a huge problem considering that some of the biggest water uses come from their supply chains. The ‘Ceres’ report recommends that companies work more closely with their suppliers, including farmers to collect good data and to secure more water supplies.

Improved international relations could also increase the efficiency of water management. E.g., there has been a surprising amount of corporation between India and Pakistan, which were once traditional enemies. A commendable degree of international corporation is important when there are key stakeholders desperate for one resource, as there is potential for conflict. Conflict can often lead to inefficient uses and largescale mismanagement as governments will have to prioritise some uses over others, e.g. economic development goals.

Overall, globally, progressive steps have been taken towards sustainable development providing an insight into a more positive future for our water supplies.

Important management schemes include smart irrigation, Hydroponics, rainwater harvesting, filtration technology and restoration of damaged rivers. These actions are environmentally sustainable and can also bring socioeconomic benefits to local communities.

Singapore is a good example of where successful water management strategies have been put in place. Singapore has few natural water resources, a thriving economy, a high standard of living and a high per capita consumption of water. However, has managed to make water management a top priority. It has adopted a holistic approach by collecting ‘every drop’ of water, reusing water endlessly (grey water) and desalinating more seawater. Singapore currently has two desalination plants meeting more than 25% of the water demand.

From this example, we can conclude that strategic planning in a more integrated way is vital if we are to achieve sustainable development. The mismanagement of water supplies is the most significant factor in increasing water insecurity. Improved management strategies, even on a small scale, can help significantly in meeting demand. And by working with water, we can find a way to restore water back to our rivers, refilling lakes and wetlands and learn to share our waters before our rivers run dry.

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2019/06/06 /08/00/hydroponics-4255401_960_720.jpg

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