Water resources and their management

Water is vital for life, including for drinking, hygiene, agriculture, and industry.
The hydrological cycle is the global process through which water is circulated from the oceans to the land and then back to the oceans.
Surface water includes water in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Groundwater is stored in rocks (known as aquifers) and can feed into lakes and rivers.

Water scarcity arises when demand for water exceeds supply, which can be due to physical or economic conditions.
Physical water scarcity refers to when there is a physical lack of water in a region.
Economic water scarcity refers to when water is physically available but not accessible due to lack of investment in infrastructure.
Water stress can also occur when demand for water approaches or exceeds supply.

Water transfer schemes pump water from areas of surplus to areas of demand.
Rainwater harvesting involves the collection and storage of rain to reuse on-site, rather than letting it run off.
Desalination is the process of removing salts and other minerals from seawater to make it fresh and safe for consumption.
Water conservation includes a variety of strategies aimed at reducing water usage, such as fixing leaks, installing water-efficient appliances, or recycling ‘grey’ water.

Inequitable access to water resources can result in water poverty, where people do not have adequate access to safe, reliable, and affordable water.
More affluent, urbanised areas tend to have better access to water resources, leading to water inequality.
Industrial water usage, including for agriculture and manufacturing, can lead to overexploitation of water resources, which can restrict access for other users.
Negative impacts on health, education and economic productivity can occur due to water scarcity and poor water quality.

As climate change alters patterns of precipitation and evaporations, this can exacerbate existing water scarcity issues.
Investment in infrastructure, including dams, reservoirs, and water transfer schemes, is crucial to ensure the distribution and storage of water.
Promoting sustainable water use, including through public awareness campaigns, can help to address demand-side issues.
Improved farming practices, such as drip irrigation, can help to reduce water usage and enhance water efficiency in agriculture.