Water crisis: global action required, say two new studies

Updated - Monday 18 September 2006

At the 2006 Stockholm World Water Week, two new studies on the world’s deteriorating water situation drew widespread media attention. A report [1] by the WWF conservation organisation shows how the looming water crisis is affecting both rich and poor countries. Global warming, diminishing wetlands, and inadequate resource management are the main causes of expanding water shortages worldwide, according to WWF. The second study [2], published by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), concludes that one-third of the human population - mostly in the developing world - is now short of water.

While the studies offer similar suggestions for reducing water scarcity, WWF’s analysis presents a range of solutions for wealthier countries that require significant upfront costs. The IWMI report, in contrast, encourages developing countries to forgo expensive schemes in favour of low-cost solutions.

WWF supports repairing ageing infrastructure, reducing agricultural subsidies for water, and conserving wetlands. “In nearly all the megacities nearly 40 to 60 percent (of water) never reaches the consumer” due to leaks and poor maintenance of the water system, said Asit Biswas, winner of the 2006 Stockholm Water Prize.

IWMI advises developing countries to push for greater efficiency in rain-fed agriculture as a cost-effective way to conserve water, produce more food, and reduce poverty.

[1] Dickie, P. (2006). Rich countries, poor water. Zeist, The Netherlands, WWF Global Freshwater Programme. PDF file [2.56 MB]

[2] IWMI (2006). Insights from the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture. PDF file [2.5 MB]

Web sites: WWF – Freshwater ; IWMI - Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture

Contact: WWF Global Freshwater Programme, The Netherlands, freshwater@wwf.nl ; David Molden, Coordinator, Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, Secretariat, IWMI, Sri Lanka, comp.assessment@cgiar.org

Source: Alana Herro, World Watch, 25 Aug 2006

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