Many key water needs – especially environmental and basic water services for the poor – are currently going unmet. In many cases, there is sufficient physical water supply to meet the demand, but water managers do not prioritize the need for drinking water or environmental flows, or don’t have the capacity or funding to meet the need. These problems will only deepen as agricultural, industrial, and residential water demand continues to increase.
- Almost 900 million people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water and up to 5 million people die each year from water-related illnesses.
- Insufficient water levels for rivers, lakes, and streams threaten habitat and valuable ecosystem services.
Business Impacts of Unmet Demand
- Reputational damage if companies are seen as competing with population for limited water supplies
- Conflicts with local communities and NGOs
- Decreased water availability for business activities (if water managers prioritize local public needs)
- Increased health costs for employees in the countries that are impacted
Global Access to Improved Water Sources
Source: WHO & UNICEF 2006 via World Resources Simulation Center