LONDON, U.K. (Thomson Reuters Foundation) — The planet faces a 40 percent shortfall in water supplies in 15 years because of urbanization, population growth and increased demand, says the United Nations.
Competition for water means better management is essential to ensure everybody gets what they need, said the World Water Development Report.
With “business as usual,” the world is facing a “collapse in our global socioeconomic system,” said Richard Connor, lead author of the report.
Two- thirds of the world’s population will be living in cities by 2050, and demand for water is expected to increase by 55 percent, mainly from demands related to growing urbanization in developing countries.
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Urbanization means that access to safe water and adequate sanitation has decreased in the fastest growing urban areas.
One example is sub-Saharan Africa, where urbanization is happening most rapidly and often unplanned. The proportion of people who have piped water on their premises has fallen to 34 percent from 42 percent since 1990.
“The spontaneous urbanization, which creates slums, makes it very difficult because of the layout of the slums to provide water,” said Joan Clos, executive director of the UN’s Human Settlements Programme.
“Once you have a street, then for the water operator it becomes very easy to reach the plots.”
The world will have to produce 60 percent more food by 2050, and the global water demand for industry is predicted to increase by 400 percent, said the report.
The growing population will also need 70 percent more energy, and water is required to produce almost all forms of it.
“You have to manage water. If you’re using less water because of your proper irrigation and soil management in agriculture, that allows more water to be available for other users,” Connor said.
“Every sector has to pitch in and do its best to be water efficient.”
Investing in sustainable water management is costly, but it pays off. The report said $15 to $30 billion invested in improved water resources management in developing countries can have an annual income return of $60 billion.
“Over the long term, investing in water and sanitation is cost-effective,” Connor said.
“That is the convincing argument that it’s not just to help the poor, it’s actually good business.”
He said cities with long-term water plans will have more robust economies within decades because people who have access to clean water are healthier and have a better chance of becoming educated and finding jobs.
