Circle of Blue recently identified ten global hot spots where water resources are at the greatest risk of escalating to an issue of national security. Climate change, drought, low rainfall and pollution have heightened awareness around the world’s increasing need for fresh water resources. As water shortages elevate to crisis-level, countries worldwide are scrambling to identifty and claim fresh water resources.
Read more here: Infographic: Water and Security Hot Spots 2016
In Myanmar, 20 villages are facing a critical water shortage. In some areas, the water has been described as “foul smelling” and the water must be treated before it can be consumed. The villagers have no alternative to the dirty water.
Read more here: 20 villages in Mrauk U face drinking water shortage
Water demand in Kampala is exceeding the current supply. Residents have been warned that water will most likely not be available 24/7 over the next several months. The water shortage is due to a lengthy dry spell and low water reserves. The National Water and Sewage Corporation has urged residents to use water sparingly and take precautions.
Read more here: Water shortage to last till March – NWSC
The current state of South Africa’s water crisis may serve as a warning of dry years to come. Lower than normal rainfall totals have left much of the country parched and residents thirsty. In one town, residents line the main street with empty buckets at night to mark places in line to wait for water trucks the following day.
Read more here: South Africa: Drought Leads to Failed Crops, Water Shortages
Climate change has become a hot topic due to the recent COP-21 negotiations being held in Paris. It’s hard to believe some people are still denying the existence of climate change, particularly when 40 percent of the world’s population is directly effected by climate change on a daily basis. Climate change has been linked to water shortages, low rainfall, drought, famine and energy supply issues.
The Huffington Post’s article, “The Vicious Circle of Climate Change and Water Scarcity”, discusses the issues and how climate change impacts water scarcity globally.
Read more here: The Vicious Circle of Climate Change and Water Scarcity
In his new book, “Back to the Well: Rethinking the Future of Water,” author Marq de Villiers re-thinks the world’s water crisis. Separating the crisis into two problem areas, water shortages caused by drought and shortages caused by contamination, de Villiers argues that the shortages should be solved at a local level with local solutions.
One example is Windhoek, Namibia, where officials orchestrated the first operation to recycle the city’s wastewater into drinking water.
Read more here: Water problems need local solutions
Nairobi is suffering from a water crisis. Kenya’s capital city has had population surge leading to more residential and commercial developments, and turning the city into a concrete metropolis. Unfortunately, poor planning has left residents susceptible to a water crisis.
El Nino has brought heavy rains to the parched city but, without the proper infrastructure to collect the rainwater (i.e. underground aquifers, reservoirs), the water is being routed through the sewers along with wastewater, pollution and sewage.
Read more here: When property boom drowns city in thirst
India is no stranger to water crisis. Across the country, the Indian people have endured water shortages due to climate change, a lack of rainfall, pollution, water mismanagement and poor infrastructure.
In Lucknow, residents have endured a lingering water shortage while waiting for the local canal -which supplies the water – is maintained.
Read more here: Canal clean, water crisis still on
Recent flooding has not relieved Malaysia from a water shortage. Why? Deforestation is one reason. Forests provide a natural water catchment area. Deforestation is an ongoing issue in Malaysia, where the country’s natural forests are being cleared for palm oil crops. With the forests gone, Malaysia’s reservoirs are running dry, no longer being supplied by rainfall.
Read more here: Real reasons for water shortage In Johor
A water shortage in Kalaburagi, a state in India, may cause the region’s prestigious university, Central University of Karnataka, to shut down for several weeks. The vice-chancellor indicated a decrease in water supply has incited fears that the pipeline may run dry. Since the university relies heavily on water supply for students and faculty, officials are looking for alternatives in a worst-case scenario.
Read more here: CUK MAY SHUT DOWN DUE TO WATER SHORTAGE
