Why Does Two-Thirds of the World's Population Still Not Have Access to Safe Drinking Water?

By Melinda Burns, Miller-McCune.com. Posted May 29, 2009.

The U.N. report noted that large dams and hydroelectric plants leave a "heavy footprint on the natural environment" and often displace large numbers of people, but, it said, many countries are increasingly turning to such projects to increase their water storage capacity as the climate becomes more irregular, and to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

According to the report, the annual capital investment needed for water and sewage services worldwide could be as much as $148 billion, with a funding gap as high as $115 billion.

But Bosshard called these figures "definitely inflated."

"There is a big shortage of funds, but the funds that are approved are often not allocated to the most effective solutions," he said. "The epicenter of the global crisis (is) the rural poor. Strengthening their ability to deal with water scarcity and providing low-cost, low-tech solutions to small farmers on rain-fed land -- small tanks and human-powered water pumps -- would be much more cost-effective than building large irrigation systems and dams."

The number of people in the world living on less than $1.25 per day -- the 1.4 billion often referred to as the "bottom billion" -- roughly corresponds with the number of people who lack safe drinking water, according to the U.N. report. Worst off is sub-Saharan Africa, where the proportion of poor people is the same as it was 25 years ago. Countries in this part of the continent store only 4 percent of their water resources, compared to up to 90 percent in developed countries. Stored water is needed for irrigation and hydropower, and can provide a buffer against floods.

Water scarcity can set the scene for regional conflict, as this quote in the report from U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon attested:

"Ten years ago -- even five years ago -- few people paid much attention to the arid regions of western Sudan. Not many noticed when fighting broke out between farmers and herders, after the rains failed and water became scarce. Today, everyone knows Darfur. More than 200,000 people have died. Several million have left their homes. ... But almost forgotten is the event that touched it off -- drought. ... Too often, where we need water, we find guns."

Population growth and a global shift in diet toward the consumption of more dairy products and meat will put more pressure on the world's water supplies in coming years even than climate change. Meat production requires 8 to 10 times more water than cereal production.

At the same time, the report said, the world's population is growing by 80 million per year, and by 2050 is expected to reach more than 9 billion people, up by 50 percent from more than 6 billion today. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, regions that now lack sufficient water supply and sewage treatment, will account for half the world's population in 2100.
Yet despite these sobering forecasts, Koncagul said he was cautiously optimistic about the future of water.

"People around the world have started thinking about their sons and grandsons," he said. "They have changed their mindsets. There is more cooperation and better dialogue between countries. Up- and downstream users are now more willing to cooperate. It's not only about profit but about the health of our planet."

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Melinda Burns is an independent writer living in Santa Barbara, Calif. She was previously a senior writer for the Santa Barbara News-Press, covering immigration, urban planning, science and the environment.

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