Water Scarcity
Causes, Consequences and Solutions
An Environmental Studies Project by Jason
Augustine (2403041), Prisha Bahri ,Shekib
Gonsalves, and Bryan Lobo
What is Water Scarcity?
● Definition - Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient freshwater resources to
meet the human and environmental needs of a given area.
● Despite 70% of the Earth being covered with water, only 3% of it is drinkable
● Due to inadequate sanitation water borne diseases kill millions of people
annually
● Major water sources in our ecosystem have been overstressed.
An image of a dam affected by
water scarcity
Causes of Water Scarcity
● There are two main causes of water scarcity - Physical and Economic Water Scarcity
● Physical, or absolute, water scarcity is the result of a region’s demand outpacing the
limited water resources found there.
● Causes of physical water scarcity include:
1. Lack of availability: A lack of water sources in neighbouring areas as well as low rainfall and high
evaporation rates. Eg: Middle Eastern and North African countries.
2. Excess Demand: Regions with a high population demand large amounts of freshwater, especially if
largely focused on agriculture and industry.
3. Climate Change: For every 1°C increase in the global average temperature, UN experts project a 20
percent drop in renewable water resources.
Causes of Water Scarcity (Continuation)
● The second cause of water scarcity is Economic Scarcity
● Economic water scarcity is due to a lack of water infrastructure in general or to the poor
management of water resources where infrastructure is in place.
● Causes of economic water scarcity include:
1. Lack of investment: Some regions may lack the required investments from the public and private sectors
to construct good water infrastructure.
2. Poor Water Management and Economic Constraints: Inefficient or mismanaged water systems can lead
to significant losses and waste. Poorer regions have insufficient financial resources to invest in water
technology and infrastructure.
3. Inequitable Distribution: Even if water is available, it may not be distributed equitably. Economic barriers
can prevent certain communities from accessing water, leading to disparities in water availability.
A world map indicating physical and
economic water scarcity.
The Impacts of Water Scarcity
Impacts of Water Scarcity
● The Major Impacts of water scarcity are as follows:
● Disrupts Ecosystems: The drying up of water bodies like rivers and lakes can disrupt the
ecosystems that depend on it.
● Soil Erosion: The lack of water in an area can cause soil to become dry, making it more prone to
erosion, and over time leads to the fertile land turning into deserts.
● Health Risks: Lack of water infrastructure will force people to rely on unsafe sources for drinking
water, and this propagates the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid.
● Social impacts: Lack of availability causes more rural to urban migration in search of better living
conditions, and migration across borders in search of water, which leads to tension between these
regions.
Case Study - India’s Water Crisis : Delhi
● In 2024, Delhi suffered one of the worst heat waves in human history
● Delhi ranks among second among the largest cities (by population) in India
that are water- scarce, according to a study in 2021.
● Delhi has a daily water demand of 1,290 million gallons per day (MG/D), of
which the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) currently produces 1,000 MG/D
Case Study of Delhi’s Water Crisis
(Continuation)
● The deficit is covered by the city’s groundwater reserves. However, the
groundwater reserves have been depleting due to the issue of illegal boring.
● The groundwater dependency is due to the polluted river Yamuna, with the
ammonia levels in the river being the main culprit.
● In Delhi, no new slums have been recognised since 1994 denying the most
vulnerable population of respites during heatwaves.
● People crowding around water tankers has become a common sight in our
capital city.
The images show the harsh environment of Delhi
during their heat wave this year
Solutions to Water Scarcity
Steps that can be taken to reduce water scarcity can include:
● Switching to alternative sources of power that are water-free and renewable
can play a long term role in reducing pressure on limited fresh water
resources in India. Placing certain restrictions on groundwater extractions in
large quantities.
Solutions (Continuation)
● At an institutional level, water management must be done keeping in mind
the larger picture of the geographical makeup of our county and its terrain.
Currently, many state bodies focus on boundary specific river flow and water
management. This must be done keeping in mind the effects of water
policies on surrounding areas as well.
Solutions (Continuation)
● Realigning crop patterns in India can play a huge role in creating a more
sustainable agricultural model. Water-intensive crops can be encouraged in
places with a surplus of water, whereas less water-intensive crops can be
encouraged in places where there is a shortage of water.
Conclusion
Thank You
