Scarcity Of Water

About seventy per cent of the Earth is water. However, only 3 percent is freshwater, of which two-thirds is tucked away in the frozen glacier, and only 0.3 per cent is available for human consumption. With the increase in the world population and industrial growth, water consumption also increased, leading to a freshwater deficiency. It is a critical issue as the available water is limited, but the utilities have increased, with these limited sources growing concerns. However, given the challenges of population growth and weather patterns due to global warming, many countries and major cities worldwide, both wealthy and poor, faced increasing scarcity of water in the 21st century.

Scarcity of water

Water scarcity is a water shortage or stress. Water scarcity can be because of economic water scarcity or physical water scarcity. Physical scarcity of water is when natural water resources cannot meet a region’s demand, while financial water scarcity results from poor management of water resources. In the modern world, the leading cause of the scarcity of water is the excessive use of water for a luxury lifestyle. Millions of individuals worldwide have no access to clean water, or, if they do, that water is unable to be used because either the water is polluted or contaminated. Yet, individuals who can draw safe and clean water do not acknowledge it and overuse it. About 1.1 billion individuals across the world lack access to clean water, and a total of about 2.7 billion face water shortage for at least a month in a year.

Cause of scarcity of water

The scarcity of water is a threatening issue. The primary effect is if there is no fresh water left, we will be forced to purify the salty water of the oceans and sea, which will not be cost-efficient, and most of the population will be affected and will not be able to afford that. Thus the scarcity of water is scary. The primary cause of the water shortage is overuse; most people use excess water that is not required. One of the best examples is using bathtubs which wastes water more than needed. Sometimes it may be used for amusement without realising its effect on nature. Water pollution is the second cause of water scarcity. Pollution can be from anything like oil from oil wells or distorted oil vessels. The factory discharges can be hazardous too; they are discharged without any prior treatment and pollute the water bodies. 

With development, more and more industries have been established. These industries release smoke and industrial liquid waste into the environment without treating them, causing water and air pollution. Conflict for land is the third cause; If there is any conflict over a plot of land, it may be challenging to draw the water there. It may lead to the destruction of crucial local infrastructure that may disrupt the water supply for many individuals. The fourth cause is the freshwater in remote areas, like glaciers. This water is not accessible but is present in nature. Again in desert areas, there is barely any water or few oases. There is no rain in the desert area, so the water source is limited and not renewable. Another cause for water scarcity is draught; the only source that can renew the freshwater is rain. If there is no rain in an area, the rain-fed rivers or lakes dry up, and there is no water. This can lead to scarcity of water. Droughts are widespread worldwide that may severely lower groundwater levels, making it impossible for people to get water from the ground. There is little that can be done to prevent such things from happening—another reason for the scarcity of water is groundwater pollution. Not only the surface water but human activity pollutes the groundwater too. The groundwater is deposited under the layers of soil mainly due to rain. When the rainwater settles down under the ground, it forms a freshwater reserve, but human activity like excessive use of fertilisers pollutes the groundwater. The excess and the by-product of the fertiliser slowly drains down the soil polluting the groundwater. Thus, the groundwater reserve is not available for humans leading to scarcity of water. 

Effect of the scarcity of water

Once the level of water scarcity is accomplished, it disbalances the equilibrium and gives rise to various problems showing its effect. Some of the crucial effects are listed:

• Hunger: The first and foremost effect of scarcity of water is hunger; if there is a water shortage in a region causing a drought-like situation, there is no available water for agriculture or cultivation, no drinking water or water available for cooking, which eventually leads to hunger. 
• Migration: The second most harsh effect of water scarcity is migration, when potable water is not available due to thirst, families and villages migrate to different regions to survive, living behind their legacy.
• Diseases: if the family cannot migrate they are forced to use polluted and contaminated water, leading to disease. 
• Loss of habitat and biodiversity: Other effects are loss of habitats as enough water is not available for their survival which can lead to loss of a species of the region. 

Scarcity of water hits the life of people very harshly. Even if potable or packaged water is available, they are costly and cannot be afforded most families. If a region faces water scarcity, people thriving there have to practice an unhygienic lifestyle to survive.

Conclusion

The scarcity of water is a concern worldwide as its effects affect the lives of millions and millions of people around the world. Some solutions can help deal with the water shortage. We should save water whenever possible. It is an absolute necessity. Educating those who do not know about water scarcity can help them. Those dealing with it can educate themselves on preventing the problem from becoming worse in the future.