The Dangers of Water Scarcity
Imagine one day turning on the shower and nothing came out, not even a drop of water. This is the reality that many people all over the world face everyday, not having a reliable source of safe water at all. Of all the water on Earth's surface, only 3% consists of fresh water, which is made up by glaciers, rainfall, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Of that 3% of freshwater, only 1% is accessible and usable. That one percent of usable water is what sustains all living life on Earth, including humans, animals, and the environment. Freshwater is a limited source that is becoming increasingly difficult to acquire, making water scarcity a dilemma of today rather than the future. Water scarcity is an issue that goes beyond safe drinking water, it also affects public health, economic security, and the ecosystem. Today, there are multiple countries that struggle to provide accessible and safe water sources, leaving millions of people to experience water scarcity. Although it would appear that Earth has plenty of water on its surface, water scarcity is an issue in which there is not enough freshwater available to meet the demand. Water scarcity may also arise when the available water is not safe or accessible to communities due to poor infrastructure. Poor piping or outdated water infrastructure has led to thousands of gallons of water wasted every year. Additionally, as the world's population continues to increase, the demand for freshwater also increases, which puts further pressure on water resources. The higher the population, the more water is needed to sustain agriculture, manufacturing, energy production, and human life.
Although water scarcity is mainly due to human involvement and activities, the environment is also largely affected and has contributed to the water scarcity dilemma. Climate change has been one of the continued causes for water scarcity. As humans are reliant on fresh water sources, the environment is also dependent on clean water sources; especially wet land areas. As water sources dwindle, ecosystems are unable to function properly, including the ability to cut down on CO2 emissions. Areas already harmed by water shortages may be even further impacted by climate change due to rising temperatures and altering rainfall patterns (Roy et al.). As rainfall patterns become more challenging to predict, hotter ecosystems go longer without rain; bringing longer droughts. Furthermore, rising temperatures contribute to an increase in water sources evaporating, impacting both humans and ecosystems (United Nations).
On the other hand, when rainfall does occur the natural aquifers or reservoirs that would have collected the freshwater have since dried up leaving cities to flood and lose that water (Schapitl). As healthy ecosystems deteriorate, it has become more and more difficult to replenish water sources, make accessible sources for rural communities, and sustain human society. Water scarcity has become a complex global crisis that is due to both human and environmental factors, and it is a problem that can only be solved by increasing efforts of conservation, education, and long-term water management solutions.
Given that water scarcity is such a broad and impactful issue, there is not a place or group of people that this problem will not directly affect. Even before modern society, water has determined how and where early civilizations would be established, and whether or not they became prosperous. As early mankind transitioned from hunter-gatherers into the agricultural age, water became essential to survival (We Are Water Foundation). Early civilizations such as Mesopotamia, developed early forms of irrigation using canals built from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that were nearby (Hays). The early civilizations that were founded near water sources became successful empires, while the ones that didn't have access to water quickly fell. Today, the human population continues to grow, as does the need for more water. Many countries have significantly increased their need for water, which has reached unsustainable levels. Household water consumption is used for drinking, hygiene, cooking, and household cleaning. On average, an American household of four uses about 400 gallons of water daily (US EPA). But, water usage is not only used for personal consumption, it is also essential to the growth of cities and civilization. Growing populations bring growth to societies, bringing an influx of schools, hospitals, housing developments, and public infrastructure, all of which need water to be successful. As urbanization is further developed each year, the water footprint of each city, town, and community is increased. Cities require large amounts of water to support businesses, residential use, fire protection, and transportation systems. In 2015, the United States Geological Survey found that people in the U.S. used about 322 billion gallons of water (including saline) each day (USGS). Many of these quickly built cities have expanded faster than their available water infrastructure can support.
Additionally, as the population has continued to grow every year the demand for more agriculture has also increased, which puts an even greater strain on limited water resources. Global agriculture today puts an enormous strain on water supplies as it accounts for about 70% of freshwater withdrawals (Roy et al.). Freshwater for agriculture is used primarily to water crops and support livestock, surpassing industrial and domestic freshwater usage by a considerable amount. Farmers continuously need more land and freshwater every year to sustain the growing population, continuing the cycle of water scarcity. Water has become an essential part of agriculture as it is needed for nearly every part of farming, including the preparation of fields, irrigation to crops, maintaining soil moisture, and supporting plant growth throughout the seasons. In some cases, particular types of crops need more water than others, otherwise known as water-intensive crops. Water-intensive crops such as cotton and rice need additional water supplies to grow, which puts further pressure on water supplies; especially in places already experiencing drought (Roy et al.). Another example is the production of almonds in California, which have become increasingly popular in the U.S. for products such as almond milk and almond butter. But, almonds need a sizable amount of water to grow, using about 1,600 gallons of water per liter of almond milk (Lee). Not only does almond production use a large amount of California's groundwater, but about 85% of almonds are also sprayed with pesticides such as glyphosate, also called Roundup. This pesticide is toxic to pollinators like bees and seeps into the ground, making the groundwater that California's citizens depend on, now toxic (Lee). Growing water-intensive crops such as almonds in dryer climates may seem good from an economic standpoint, but is actually putting additional stress on water supplies and contributing to California's ongoing drought. Furthermore, agricultural water usage and more efficient irrigation systems should begin to be prioritised to cut down on water consumption and waste. In recent years, state governments have passed new legislation to help farmers put new irrigation practices in place, as well as promote improved soil health (O'Conner). An example of these innovations is Arizona's 2022 State Bill 1564, which created the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Pilot Program. This program supports farmers by providing grants for systems that reduce groundwater and on-farm surface water usage, further saving water by eliminating the use of flood irrigation (O'Conner). Not all irrigation systems use water efficiently, which is why it is important that local governments support better irrigation practices, these practices are needed to preserve groundwater and maintain production.
Although agriculture remains the largest user of water, industrialization and technological advancements are now also a growing contributor of water usage. For the most part, all industries depend on water supplies to keep machinery and equipment running, produce goods, and generate energy. In the U.S. commercial and institutional businesses such as schools, hospitals, offices, and restaurants use about 17% of withdrawals from public water supplies (WaterSense). The water used goes towards cooling and heating, restrooms, dishwashing, landscaping, and sanitation. The industrial sector uses water to cool machinery, clean equipment, move products, and prevent drying in between the stations of a manufacturing line (WaterSense). Many of the factories that produce goods, take their water from local water sources such as rivers, lakes, or underground aquifers. As the need for more goods increases along with the population, so does the amount of water needed to continue manufacturing. In recent years, there has been a new competitor for these water sources, which is the mainstream development of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence or "AI" is software designed and used to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, using mathematical and statistical data that is collected. Although AI is primarily made up of software, it is dependent on data centers and physical infrastructure to function. As artificial intelligence is used by millions of people everyday to calculate math equations or answer questions, the AI servers are operating around the clock and producing heat. As more and more individuals use AI, the data centers increasingly need more water to cool their processor chips and not overheat (Yañez-Barnuevo). Not only do the processor chips need to use water to be kept cool, they also need a considerable amount of water to produce the chips (Fridman). Large scale data centers can use up to 5 million gallons of water a day, leading to further water scarcity and carbon emissions. The larger the AI model, the larger the amount of water and energy is needed to run it. In the United States alone there are approximately 5,426 data centers nationwide, with 392 data centers built in severe to exceptional drought zones (Milman & Witherspoon). According to scientists, each 100-word prompt put into AI uses about 1 bottle of water, or 519 milliliters (Yañez-Barnuevo). As artificial intelligence continues to grow and get "smarter", the amount of water used every day will become overwhelming. Most AI data centers use water to primarily cool their servers because it is more efficient than using cold air or another form of cooling. As artificial intelligence becomes normalized and intertwined with businesses, education, and healthcare, more individuals are choosing to use AI search engines for regular everyday questions and concerns. Because of the many capabilities AI has to offer, many of the negative environmental drawbacks are overlooked by individuals. Artificial intelligence has made great strides in the scientific, medical, and technological industries, but the consequences will catch up. Artificial intelligence is not the only contributor for water scarcity, but as society continues to expand and fund new technologies industries and local governments need to find better ways to reduce water consumption. Artificial intelligence is here to stay, therefore other ways to cut down on water waste and usage may be implementing better water recycling tools, renewable energy integration, or designing more sustainable data centers. Along with population growth and agriculture, the industrial sector's water usage has demonstrated that water demand is on the rise and will continue to be as technology advances.
As freshwater resources continue to be consumed quicker than replenished, rural communities often experience greater challenges accessing water due to inadequate or aging infrastructure and limited local sources. Different from large cities or urban areas, rural communities rely on a limited supply of water from wells, underground aquifers, rivers, and rainfall. When local reservoirs dry up due to drought or overuse, there are very little back up options. Rural communities heavily rely on nearby freshwater sources, and are put at further risk due to groundwater depletion. As periods of drought are brought on more often due to climate change, surface water may become unreliable to support communities, leaving them to use groundwater or aquifers. Aquifers are deep underground layers or rock, sand and porous that are saturated with water, the process of water being collected may take decades or centuries to refill. Although aquifers are self-filling from snowmelt and rainfall, the process takes too long to be a reliable source of water after excessive use. As populations grow and agricultural sectors use more water, the global aquifers are pumped dry before being able to replenish, thus leaving communities and ecosystems vulnerable to drought. In addition, as groundwater is depleted, local wells need to be dug deeper and kept better maintained to provide water. In some instances the wells run completely dry, taking away the only water source communities have access to. This leaves individuals to spend large amounts of money drilling new wells or having water delivered. The lack of modern infrastructure and support has made it difficult for many rural communities to survive or respond to water scarcity.
Rural communities that have limited capabilities and financial resources for infrastructure are at a higher risk of experiencing water scarcity. The infrastructures that are already in place usually consist of older pipelines that are prone to leaks, and combining this with rising water costs can leave underserved communities at risk of water stress and other issues (Camero et al.). For smaller communities it can be nearly impossible to build up new infrastructure, and limited finances make small repairs difficult, making more water waste from leaks before it is usable. But, for communities who are fortunate enough to have reliable access to water, they are faced with another issue, the water is not always clean or safe enough to be usable. The term water scarcity is not only used for instances where water is not available, it can also be used in relation to the quality of the water. Only having access to unsafe water can be just as damaging as not having water at all. Aging infrastructure and the lack of treated water can lead to sources of water being contaminated, leading to many other problems for communities. For example, in developing countries about 80% of illnesses are due to a lack of clean water and sanitation (The Water Project). Drinking contaminated water leaves individuals, primarily children, with waterborne diseases, gastrointestinal illnesses, and long-term health issues. Furthermore, access to clean water has the ability to improve healthcare, education, hunger, and poverty (The Water Project). As access to clean water continues to endanger communities that are underserved and underdeveloped, the effects of water scarcity begins to touch every aspect of life.
The cycle of water scarcity is not due to one singular issue, instead it is due to a combination of human intervention, poor water management, and environmental changes. Growing populations require a large proportion of water to support communities, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and energy production. Agricultural practices use the most amount of available fresh water to support growing populations. Industrialization, including the expansion of artificial intelligence also uses significant amounts of water as it continues to need more. Additionally, as climate change changes rainfall patterns and increases the amount of droughts, poor water management depletes natural resources beyond what can be replenished. Which in turn leaves rural communities at risk of water shortages and other scarcity related problems. Because these issues are interconnected and dependent on each other, water scarcity will not be solved by one addressing just one part. Water scarcity is no longer a concept of the past, it has encompassed multiple different countries and regions all over the world and continues to get worse. Protecting natural resources and prioritizing ecosystems as civilization expands is essential for building sustainability in the future, both economically and environmentally. Although the causes and consequences of water scarcity are complex and time crucial, they also explain the critical need for short and long-term sustainable solutions. Water scarcity is an environmental and humanitarian problem, a problem that can only be resolved by increasing efforts of conservation, promoting education, and turning to long-term water management solutions.
Imagine one day turning on the shower and nothing came out, not even a drop of water. This is the reality that many people all over the world face everyday, not having a reliable source of safe water at all. Of all the water on Earth's surface, only 3% consists of fresh water, which is made up by glaciers, rainfall, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Of that 3% of freshwater, only 1% is accessible and usable. That one percent of usable water is what sustains all living life on Earth, including humans, animals, and the environment. Freshwater is a limited source that is becoming increasingly difficult to acquire, making water scarcity a dilemma of today rather than the future. Water scarcity is an issue that goes beyond safe drinking water, it also affects public health, economic security, and the ecosystem. Today, there are multiple countries that struggle to provide accessible and safe water sources, leaving millions of people to experience water scarcity. Although it would appear that Earth has plenty of water on its surface, water scarcity is an issue in which there is not enough freshwater available to meet the demand. Water scarcity may also arise when the available water is not safe or accessible to communities due to poor infrastructure. Poor piping or outdated water infrastructure has led to thousands of gallons of water wasted every year. Additionally, as the world's population continues to increase, the demand for freshwater also increases, which puts further pressure on water resources. The higher the population, the more water is needed to sustain agriculture, manufacturing, energy production, and human life.
Although water scarcity is mainly due to human involvement and activities, the environment is also largely affected and has contributed to the water scarcity dilemma. Climate change has been one of the continued causes for water scarcity. As humans are reliant on fresh water sources, the environment is also dependent on clean water sources; especially wet land areas. As water sources dwindle, ecosystems are unable to function properly, including the ability to cut down on CO2 emissions. Areas already harmed by water shortages may be even further impacted by climate change due to rising temperatures and altering rainfall patterns (Roy et al.). As rainfall patterns become more challenging to predict, hotter ecosystems go longer without rain; bringing longer droughts. Furthermore, rising temperatures contribute to an increase in water sources evaporating, impacting both humans and ecosystems (United Nations).
On the other hand, when rainfall does occur the natural aquifers or reservoirs that would have collected the freshwater have since dried up leaving cities to flood and lose that water (Schapitl). As healthy ecosystems deteriorate, it has become more and more difficult to replenish water sources, make accessible sources for rural communities, and sustain human society. Water scarcity has become a complex global crisis that is due to both human and environmental factors, and it is a problem that can only be solved by increasing efforts of conservation, education, and long-term water management solutions.
Given that water scarcity is such a broad and impactful issue, there is not a place or group of people that this problem will not directly affect. Even before modern society, water has determined how and where early civilizations would be established, and whether or not they became prosperous. As early mankind transitioned from hunter-gatherers into the agricultural age, water became essential to survival (We Are Water Foundation). Early civilizations such as Mesopotamia, developed early forms of irrigation using canals built from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that were nearby (Hays). The early civilizations that were founded near water sources became successful empires, while the ones that didn't have access to water quickly fell. Today, the human population continues to grow, as does the need for more water. Many countries have significantly increased their need for water, which has reached unsustainable levels. Household water consumption is used for drinking, hygiene, cooking, and household cleaning. On average, an American household of four uses about 400 gallons of water daily (US EPA). But, water usage is not only used for personal consumption, it is also essential to the growth of cities and civilization. Growing populations bring growth to societies, bringing an influx of schools, hospitals, housing developments, and public infrastructure, all of which need water to be successful. As urbanization is further developed each year, the water footprint of each city, town, and community is increased. Cities require large amounts of water to support businesses, residential use, fire protection, and transportation systems. In 2015, the United States Geological Survey found that people in the U.S. used about 322 billion gallons of water (including saline) each day (USGS). Many of these quickly built cities have expanded faster than their available water infrastructure can support.
Additionally, as the population has continued to grow every year the demand for more agriculture has also increased, which puts an even greater strain on limited water resources. Global agriculture today puts an enormous strain on water supplies as it accounts for about 70% of freshwater withdrawals (Roy et al.). Freshwater for agriculture is used primarily to water crops and support livestock, surpassing industrial and domestic freshwater usage by a considerable amount. Farmers continuously need more land and freshwater every year to sustain the growing population, continuing the cycle of water scarcity. Water has become an essential part of agriculture as it is needed for nearly every part of farming, including the preparation of fields, irrigation to crops, maintaining soil moisture, and supporting plant growth throughout the seasons. In some cases, particular types of crops need more water than others, otherwise known as water-intensive crops. Water-intensive crops such as cotton and rice need additional water supplies to grow, which puts further pressure on water supplies; especially in places already experiencing drought (Roy et al.). Another example is the production of almonds in California, which have become increasingly popular in the U.S. for products such as almond milk and almond butter. But, almonds need a sizable amount of water to grow, using about 1,600 gallons of water per liter of almond milk (Lee). Not only does almond production use a large amount of California's groundwater, but about 85% of almonds are also sprayed with pesticides such as glyphosate, also called Roundup. This pesticide is toxic to pollinators like bees and seeps into the ground, making the groundwater that California's citizens depend on, now toxic (Lee). Growing water-intensive crops such as almonds in dryer climates may seem good from an economic standpoint, but is actually putting additional stress on water supplies and contributing to California's ongoing drought. Furthermore, agricultural water usage and more efficient irrigation systems should begin to be prioritised to cut down on water consumption and waste. In recent years, state governments have passed new legislation to help farmers put new irrigation practices in place, as well as promote improved soil health (O'Conner). An example of these innovations is Arizona's 2022 State Bill 1564, which created the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Pilot Program. This program supports farmers by providing grants for systems that reduce groundwater and on-farm surface water usage, further saving water by eliminating the use of flood irrigation (O'Conner). Not all irrigation systems use water efficiently, which is why it is important that local governments support better irrigation practices, these practices are needed to preserve groundwater and maintain production.
Although agriculture remains the largest user of water, industrialization and technological advancements are now also a growing contributor of water usage. For the most part, all industries depend on water supplies to keep machinery and equipment running, produce goods, and generate energy. In the U.S. commercial and institutional businesses such as schools, hospitals, offices, and restaurants use about 17% of withdrawals from public water supplies (WaterSense). The water used goes towards cooling and heating, restrooms, dishwashing, landscaping, and sanitation. The industrial sector uses water to cool machinery, clean equipment, move products, and prevent drying in between the stations of a manufacturing line (WaterSense). Many of the factories that produce goods, take their water from local water sources such as rivers, lakes, or underground aquifers. As the need for more goods increases along with the population, so does the amount of water needed to continue manufacturing. In recent years, there has been a new competitor for these water sources, which is the mainstream development of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence or "AI" is software designed and used to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, using mathematical and statistical data that is collected. Although AI is primarily made up of software, it is dependent on data centers and physical infrastructure to function. As artificial intelligence is used by millions of people everyday to calculate math equations or answer questions, the AI servers are operating around the clock and producing heat. As more and more individuals use AI, the data centers increasingly need more water to cool their processor chips and not overheat (Yañez-Barnuevo). Not only do the processor chips need to use water to be kept cool, they also need a considerable amount of water to produce the chips (Fridman). Large scale data centers can use up to 5 million gallons of water a day, leading to further water scarcity and carbon emissions. The larger the AI model, the larger the amount of water and energy is needed to run it. In the United States alone there are approximately 5,426 data centers nationwide, with 392 data centers built in severe to exceptional drought zones (Milman & Witherspoon). According to scientists, each 100-word prompt put into AI uses about 1 bottle of water, or 519 milliliters (Yañez-Barnuevo). As artificial intelligence continues to grow and get "smarter", the amount of water used every day will become overwhelming. Most AI data centers use water to primarily cool their servers because it is more efficient than using cold air or another form of cooling. As artificial intelligence becomes normalized and intertwined with businesses, education, and healthcare, more individuals are choosing to use AI search engines for regular everyday questions and concerns. Because of the many capabilities AI has to offer, many of the negative environmental drawbacks are overlooked by individuals. Artificial intelligence has made great strides in the scientific, medical, and technological industries, but the consequences will catch up. Artificial intelligence is not the only contributor for water scarcity, but as society continues to expand and fund new technologies industries and local governments need to find better ways to reduce water consumption. Artificial intelligence is here to stay, therefore other ways to cut down on water waste and usage may be implementing better water recycling tools, renewable energy integration, or designing more sustainable data centers. Along with population growth and agriculture, the industrial sector's water usage has demonstrated that water demand is on the rise and will continue to be as technology advances.
As freshwater resources continue to be consumed quicker than replenished, rural communities often experience greater challenges accessing water due to inadequate or aging infrastructure and limited local sources. Different from large cities or urban areas, rural communities rely on a limited supply of water from wells, underground aquifers, rivers, and rainfall. When local reservoirs dry up due to drought or overuse, there are very little back up options. Rural communities heavily rely on nearby freshwater sources, and are put at further risk due to groundwater depletion. As periods of drought are brought on more often due to climate change, surface water may become unreliable to support communities, leaving them to use groundwater or aquifers. Aquifers are deep underground layers or rock, sand and porous that are saturated with water, the process of water being collected may take decades or centuries to refill. Although aquifers are self-filling from snowmelt and rainfall, the process takes too long to be a reliable source of water after excessive use. As populations grow and agricultural sectors use more water, the global aquifers are pumped dry before being able to replenish, thus leaving communities and ecosystems vulnerable to drought. In addition, as groundwater is depleted, local wells need to be dug deeper and kept better maintained to provide water. In some instances the wells run completely dry, taking away the only water source communities have access to. This leaves individuals to spend large amounts of money drilling new wells or having water delivered. The lack of modern infrastructure and support has made it difficult for many rural communities to survive or respond to water scarcity.
Rural communities that have limited capabilities and financial resources for infrastructure are at a higher risk of experiencing water scarcity. The infrastructures that are already in place usually consist of older pipelines that are prone to leaks, and combining this with rising water costs can leave underserved communities at risk of water stress and other issues (Camero et al.). For smaller communities it can be nearly impossible to build up new infrastructure, and limited finances make small repairs difficult, making more water waste from leaks before it is usable. But, for communities who are fortunate enough to have reliable access to water, they are faced with another issue, the water is not always clean or safe enough to be usable. The term water scarcity is not only used for instances where water is not available, it can also be used in relation to the quality of the water. Only having access to unsafe water can be just as damaging as not having water at all. Aging infrastructure and the lack of treated water can lead to sources of water being contaminated, leading to many other problems for communities. For example, in developing countries about 80% of illnesses are due to a lack of clean water and sanitation (The Water Project). Drinking contaminated water leaves individuals, primarily children, with waterborne diseases, gastrointestinal illnesses, and long-term health issues. Furthermore, access to clean water has the ability to improve healthcare, education, hunger, and poverty (The Water Project). As access to clean water continues to endanger communities that are underserved and underdeveloped, the effects of water scarcity begins to touch every aspect of life.
The cycle of water scarcity is not due to one singular issue, instead it is due to a combination of human intervention, poor water management, and environmental changes. Growing populations require a large proportion of water to support communities, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and energy production. Agricultural practices use the most amount of available fresh water to support growing populations. Industrialization, including the expansion of artificial intelligence also uses significant amounts of water as it continues to need more. Additionally, as climate change changes rainfall patterns and increases the amount of droughts, poor water management depletes natural resources beyond what can be replenished. Which in turn leaves rural communities at risk of water shortages and other scarcity related problems. Because these issues are interconnected and dependent on each other, water scarcity will not be solved by one addressing just one part. Water scarcity is no longer a concept of the past, it has encompassed multiple different countries and regions all over the world and continues to get worse. Protecting natural resources and prioritizing ecosystems as civilization expands is essential for building sustainability in the future, both economically and environmentally. Although the causes and consequences of water scarcity are complex and time crucial, they also explain the critical need for short and long-term sustainable solutions. Water scarcity is an environmental and humanitarian problem, a problem that can only be resolved by increasing efforts of conservation, promoting education, and turning to long-term water management solutions.
