Water resources

• Water is needed for agriculture, industry and domestic use. Water supplies come from different sources, including reservoirs and groundwater.
• Water security is determined by factors such as climate, geology, wealth and levels of technology. Globally, many people lack access to safe drinking water.
• Water insecurity can result in people drinking contaminated water. This can lead to illnesses, such as diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera.

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Water is needed for agriculture, industry and domestic use. Water supplies come from different sources, including reservoirs and groundwater.

Some countries have a water surplus, which means they have more water than they need. Other countries have a water deficit, which means they have less water than they need.

Water security is when people have access to a clean, affordable supply of water. It is determined by factors such as:

• Climate – arid climates have less water than those with higher levels of precipitation.
• Wealth and technology – water supply requires pipes, pumps and purification plants. Some countries do not have the wealth to buy or maintain this technology.
• Pollution – polluted water is not safe to drink. Sources of water pollution include industry, agriculture and sewage disposal.
• Overuse – many countries use water at a faster rate than it is replenished. This leads to shortages.

Globally, many people lack access to safe drinking water.

Water insecurity affects many parts of the world, but is worse in arid regions, such as northern Africa. The United Nations has resolved to ‘ensure availability andsustainable management of water andsanitation for all’ by 2030. However, current indications suggest that more progress must be made if this target is to be met.

Global water consumption has increased at more than double the rate of population growth over the last century. However, water shortages are not just caused by a growing population, they can also be due to other reasons, such as:

• Industrialisation – water is used during manufacturing processes, for example, diluting and cooling.
• Growing wealth and improved living standards – as people become wealthier, they use more appliances that use water, such as washing machines and dishwashers.

Water insecurity results in people drinking dirty water. This can lead to illnesses, such as diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera.

A lack of water also impacts on industry and agriculture. Many factories would not be able to operate without water and crops could not grow without water.

Water is a basic human need and so water shortages can lead to dispute. One example of this can be seen in northern Africa. The countries of Egypt and Sudan are unhappy about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam, because it is restricting water flowing down the River Nile and into their countries.