The Why and What of Water Security

That there is a freshwater crisis today is an irrefutable fact. That there is also a water policy that is in perpetual crisis is an equally undeniable fact. Continued population growth and the impact of global warming along with over-consumption, inadequate conservation, and wastage are putting enormous pressure on water resources. Water covers most of the planet but only 3 per cent is fresh water, of which a mere 1 per cent is readily accessible for human consumption. What it means is that less than 0.007 per cent of all the water on earth is available to drink. With so little availability and growing demand, a water crisis is looming. In the last century the world population tripled and the use of water grew six times. By mid-century there will be an additional 3 billion people, most of whom will be born in countries already experiencing water shortages.