Five billion people in the world will suffer from the crisis of potable water
Millions of people worldwide are currently suffering from a shortage of potable water. This crisis could get worse in the next few decades. Population growth, drought, rising sea level, and lack of proper management are potential reasons.
By 2050, 5 billion people will suffer from the water crisis. This information has come in this year’s water development report of the United Nations.
According to the report, world water use will increase by 1 percent every year for the next three decades. Due to climate change, water bodies like lakes and streams, the conventional water supply sources, are drying up. Due to this, the demand for groundwater will increase.
Currently, 99 percent of the world’s drinking water comes from groundwater. However, this supply system is damaging without understanding its importance due to constant devaluation and mismanagement.
Researchers say that in 2018, about three and a half billion people worldwide suffered from water shortages for at least a month. By 2050, this number will stand at 5 billion.
Richard Connor is the editor-in-chief of the report, prepared by UNESCO. According to him, ‘What is the solution to the global water crisis remains unknown to us?’ “We will greatly benefit from ensuring sustainable groundwater use management,” he added.
According to the report, pressure on the world’s water supply system has also increased due to the world’s continuous population growth. In order to handle this situation, it is necessary to pay more attention to the issue of ensuring the vast amount of groundwater and its proper use.
The UN report also explains why groundwater is so important. Only 1 percent of the world’s water is potable, most found under the ice. The rest of the water is saline. The quality of potable water is generally reasonable. We can use this water safely and efficiently without any treatment.
On the other hand, the earth’s surface water usually remains in canals, streams, and lakes, also limited. The effects of pollution and climate change are severe and cause environmental and social damage.
The future of groundwater is much better than that. 10 to 20 percent of water is regenerated naturally. Moreover, this water can quickly draw from deep through narrow pipes.
On the other hand, groundwater is significant in creating an improved natural environment. According to the report, one-fourth of the water used in agriculture comes from underground sources. Half of the world’s water supplies are from groundwater.
It is the cheapest source of pure drinking water for the people of rural areas. The village people are not involved in the public or private water supply. However, if extra groundwater gets extracted, the consequences may be worse. As a result, the land dries up, and the water supply decreases.
In 2018, India faced the worst water crisis in history. According to a government research institute, at least 40 percent of India’s 1.3 billion people will not have access to a reliable source of drinking water by 2030.
Due to Frequent droughts, rain-fed agriculture is on the verge of damage in India. Besides, disputes are growing between different states of the country. As a result, crop production hampers.
However, if human civilization is to survive, there is no alternative to potable water. We need more research depending on the soil to solve this current crisis.
