When could the world run out of drinking water?

When could the world run out of drinking water? | Photo: Gabor Koszegi

The availability of clean drinking water is a cornerstone of human survival, economic development, and environmental stability. Yet, the world faces a growing threat of water scarcity, driven by overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and population growth. This crisis directly undermines Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which seeks to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. Addressing this issue is critical to achieving global sustainability, preserving ecosystems, and fostering equitable societies. The urgency to act stems from the profound implications of water shortages on health, food security, and global stability.

Understanding the global water crisis

The question of when the world might run out of drinking water has no single answer, but the trajectory is alarming. According to the United Nations, approximately 2.2 billion people currently lack access to safely managed drinking water, and by 2050, over half of the global population could live in areas experiencing severe water stress. The World Resources Institute (WRI) identifies 17 countries, home to a quarter of the world’s population, as facing "extremely high" water stress, where irrigated agriculture, industries, and municipalities consume more water than is naturally replenished.

Several factors exacerbate this crisis. Overexploitation of aquifers is depleting groundwater reserves faster than they can recharge, with regions like India, the Middle East, and parts of the United States extracting water at unsustainable rates. Climate change disrupts rainfall patterns, intensifies droughts, and accelerates the melting of glaciers, vital freshwater sources in regions like South Asia and the Andes. Pollution further compounds the issue, as industrial runoff, agricultural pesticides, and untreated sewage contaminate rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Meanwhile, global population growth, projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, drives increased demand for water for drinking, agriculture, and industry.

Impacts and initiatives

The consequences of water scarcity are already evident. In 2018, Cape Town, South Africa, narrowly avoided "Day Zero," when its reservoirs nearly ran dry, forcing severe water rationing. Similar crises have struck Chennai, India, and São Paulo, Brazil, where millions faced restricted access to water. These events highlight the fragility of urban water systems and the need for proactive measures.

Globally, organisations are stepping up to address the crisis. The World Bank has invested in projects like India’s National Hydrology Project, which uses advanced data systems to monitor groundwater levels and promote sustainable management. In Jordan, one of the world’s most water-scarce countries, the As-Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant, supported by international funding, recycles wastewater to supplement freshwater supplies.

Meanwhile, initiatives like the 2030 Water Resources Group foster public-private partnerships to improve water governance and reduce waste.

Historical data underscores the urgency. In the past two decades, global water use has increased by about 1% annually, according to UNESCO, while climate models predict a 20-30% reduction in freshwater availability in some regions by 2050. Looking ahead, innovations such as desalination, water-efficient agriculture, and smart water management systems offer hope, but scaling these solutions requires significant investment and global cooperation.

The duty of global society in tackling water scarcity

Achieving SDG 6 demands collective action across borders, sectors, and communities. Global collaboration is essential to share knowledge, fund infrastructure, and implement policies that prioritise sustainable water use. International frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the UN’s Water Action Decade (2018-2028) provide platforms for governments, NGOs, and businesses to align efforts. For instance, the Global Water Partnership facilitates cross-country cooperation to develop integrated water resource management plans, ensuring equitable access to water.

Local communities also play a pivotal role. Grassroots initiatives, such as rainwater harvesting in rural India or community-led watershed restoration in Ethiopia, demonstrate how localised efforts can complement global strategies. By combining top-down policies with bottom-up innovation, global society can address the multifaceted challenges of water scarcity.

The threat of water scarcity looms large, but it is not insurmountable. Through concerted efforts to manage resources sustainably, invest in innovative technologies, and foster global cooperation, the world can safeguard its freshwater supplies. SDG 6 serves as a critical guidepost, reminding us that access to clean water is not just a resource issue but a fundamental human right. Continued commitment to these goals is essential to ensure a sustainable future for all.

For further reading, explore the United Nations’ Water Action Decade at unwater.org or the World Resources Institute’s water stress data at wri.org.