WATER

SCARCITY
Presentation by Group 2
DEFINITION OF WATER
SCARCITY

Water scarcity refers to the imbalance

between the demand for water and the
available supply, leading to inadequate
access to clean and safe water for human
consumption, agriculture, and industrial
use.
IMPLICATIONS FOR
SUSTAINABILITY
The impact of water scarcity extends beyond
immediate resource constraints, affecting ecosystems,
biodiversity, and the overall sustainability of human
activities.

Water scarcity is a pressing global issue affecting

communities worldwide. The imbalance between
water supply and demand poses significant
challenges to sustainable development. This
presentation explores the complexities of water
scarcity and offers potential solutions.
LINK TO SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Addressing water scarcity is integral part in
achieving sustainable development goals,
emphasizing the need for responsible water
management and conservation efforts.

Water scarcity is addressed under Sustainable

Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which is to "Ensure
availability and sustainable management of water
and sanitation for all
Causes of Unsustainable Water Use:- Need for Sustainable Practices:-

Factors such as population growth, The urgency to transition to

urbanization, and industrial expansion sustainable water use practices is
contribute to the unsustainable crucial for mitigating the adverse
exploitation of water resources, leading effects of scarcity on the
to scarcity and environmental environment and ensuring long-term
degradation. ecological health.
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
OF WATER SCARCITY
Water scarcity has significant environmental impacts, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural
processes in various ways:

Ecosystem Degradation: Water scarcity can lead to the degradation of aquatic ecosystems such as
rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Reduced water availability diminishes habitats for aquatic plants and
animals, leading to declines in biodiversity and disrupting ecological balance.

Loss of Wetlands: Wetlands are critical ecosystems that provide essential services such as water
filtration, flood control, and habitat for numerous species. Water scarcity can cause the drying up of
wetlands, leading to the loss of biodiversity and diminishing their capacity to provide ecosystem
services.
 Impacts on Aquatic Species: Water scarcity
affects aquatic species by reducing available
habitat and altering water quality. Fish
populations may decline due to reduced water
flow, increased pollution concentration, and
higher water temperatures, leading to disruptions
in food webs and ecosystem dynamics.

Altered Stream Flow: Reduced water availability

can alter natural stream flow patterns, affecting
sediment transport, nutrient cycling, and the
distribution of aquatic species. Changes in
stream flow can also exacerbate erosion and
sedimentation, further degrading aquatic
habitats.
Groundwater Depletion: Over-extraction of groundwater
due to water scarcity can lead to the depletion of
aquifers, causing land subsidence, saltwater intrusion in
coastal areas, and the drying up of wells and springs.
Groundwater depletion also reduces baseflow to rivers
and streams, further exacerbating water scarcity and its
environmental impacts.

Soil Degradation: Water scarcity can contribute to soil

degradation through increased salinization and
desertification. Reduced water availability limits
vegetation growth and soil moisture, leading to soil
erosion, decreased fertility, and increased susceptibility to
desertification processes.
 SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACTS

WATER BORNE DISEASES AGRICULTURAL IMPACT IMPACT ON INDUSTRIES

Water scarcity often leads to Water scarcity affects crop Water scarcity can disrupt
poor sanitation and hygiene yields, leading to reduced industries like metals, textiles,
practices, increasing the risk incomes for farmers. In some manufacturing, etc., leading
of waterborne diseases such cases, it can even lead to to unemployment, country
as cholera, typhoid, and crop failures, loss of economy, and instability in
diarrhea. livelihoods, and rural distress. affected regions.
 SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACTS

SOCIAL DISPARITIES MIGRATION ENVIRONMENTAL

DEGRADATION
Water scarcity exacerbates In areas where water scarcity
existing social inequalities, as is severe and chronic, Water scarcity often results in
marginalized communities, communities may be forced environmental degradation,
including rural populations to migrate in search of water depletion of groundwater
and slum dwellers, often bear and livelihood opportunities. reserves, and loss of
the brunt of water shortages. biodiversity.
 ROLE OF SUSTAINABLE WATER PRACTICES
IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OTHER BENEFITS

HEALTH AND SANITATION IMPROVEMENT

clean water for drinking, sanitation, reduced chance
of waterborne diseases

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND TOURISM

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY ecosystem preservation, biodiversity conservation,
promotes tourism and income for regional
Sustainable water management communities
practices, such as drip
irrigation, rainwater harvesting, CLIMATE RESILIENCE
and efficient water use practices like watershed management, ecosystem
techniques, can enhance restoration, etc. help communities cope with droughts
agricultural productivity. and reduce vulnerability to poverty and food insecurity
 Towards Water Security
Individual Level

Reduce Water Usage: Practice water-saving habits such as turning off taps while brushing teeth,
taking shorter showers, and fixing leaks promptly.

Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater harvesting involves the collection, storage, and distribution of
rainwater from surfaces such as rooftops for various uses, promoting sustainable water management
practices and reducing reliance on traditional water sources.

Water Recycling Systems: Utilize compact water recycling systems for homes that treat greywater
from sinks and showers, making it suitable for non-potable uses like toilet flushing or irrigation.
Reuse water from activities like washing dishes or laundry for flushing toilets or watering gardens.
 Towards Water Security
Local Area / City Level

Water Leak Detection: Implementing regular maintenance programs and establishing sensor
networks with data analytics can promptly detect and repair leaks in water supply systems,
minimizing losses and improving efficiency.

Recycle Water: Develop advanced water treatment facilities, both centralized and decentralized, to
recycle wastewater into high-quality water for various purposes, ensuring efficient water reuse at
both community and industrial levels.

Promote Xeriscaping: Encourage residents and businesses to adopt xeriscaping techniques, which
involve landscaping with drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation systems to reduce outdoor
water use.
 Towards Water Security
National Level

Indian rivers interlinking project: The Indian river interlinking project aims to connect major rivers
across the country to mitigate floods, alleviate droughts, improve water availability for irrigation and
domestic use, and enhance navigational opportunities.

Water Desalination: Large-scale desalination plants can convert seawater into freshwater through
processes like reverse osmosis or multi-stage flash distillation, providing a reliable source of drinking
water for coastal regions.

Cloud Seeding: Cloud seeding involves dispersing substances like silver iodide or salt particles into
clouds to stimulate rainfall, potentially increasing precipitation in water-stressed areas and
replenishing reservoirs.
 IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON
WATER SCARCITY

The relationship between water and climate change is intricately linked. Climate change affects
the world’s water in complex ways. These effects encompass unpredictable shifts in rainfall
patterns, shrinking ice-sheets, rising sea levels, as well as occurrences of floods and droughts.

The impacts of climate change on water availability and water-related hazards, like floods and
droughts, are intensifying as temperatures rise and disrupt precipitation patterns and the overall
water cycle.

Scholarly reports highlights the pressing necessity for implementing adaptation strategies to
foster resilient water management amid the evolving conditions of climate change (SDG Report
2022).
 THE NEXUS BETWEEN WATER SCARCITY
AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change impacts the water cycle by influencing when, where, and how much precipitation
falls, leading to more severe weather events over time.
The increase in global temperatures leads to an increase the evaporation rates, causing water to
evaporate in larger amounts. This in turn, leads to higher levels of atmospheric water vapor and
more frequent, heavy, and erratic rains in the coming years.

Climate scientists predict that this will lead to more flooding, since more water will fall than the
soil can absorb. The remaining water gets runoff into nearby waterways, gets contaminated with
substances like fertilizers and industrial waste.
Excess runoff eventually merges into the larger bodies of water (lakes, estuaries, and the
ocean), polluting and further contaminating the water supply and reducing water access for
humans and ecosystems.
 CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE AND
ADAPTATION
Climate Change Resilient Cities
The study “Climate Proofing Cities by Navigating Nature-Based Solutions” reveals how the water retention
capacity of the area of interest is diminishing due to urban development. Thus, a focus on runoff mitigation in
urban cities is needed.
The need to maintain usable water resources in the consumption cycle by focusing on water-treatment
solutions, ensures a constant supply of fit-for-consumption water, creating a self sustainable solution to water
scarcity.
Run-off mitigation through green spaces helps climate-proof cities against such harms.
A Case Study of Flood Protection in the City of Gothenburg, Sweden
Overview: An integrated approach to climate-proofing cities involves strategies such as green
infrastructure, water-sensitive urban design, and adaptive flood management.
Key Features: its implementation involves the transformation of multiple natural ecosystems, primarily
forests into urban land use, potentially affecting the ecosystem service of water runoff mitigation.
Impact: Enhances urban resilience to climate change impacts, safeguards infrastructure, and fosters
livable, sustainable cities.

Reference: Climate Proofing Cities by Navigating Nature-Based Solutions in a Multi-Scale, Social–Ecological Urban Planning Context, 2024, Colin H. Egegård, Maja Lindborg, Åsa Gren.
 SUCCESS STORIES
Gujarat's Water Revival: The Sardar Sarovar Dam Project

Challenges Impacts Solutions

Gujarat faced chronic water Increased irrigation potential, Construction of the Sardar Sarovar
scarcity, impacting agriculture, leading to higher agricultural Dam to create a massive reservoir
drinking water supply, and industrial productivity for storing Narmada River water.
development. and improved food security. Canal network to deliver water for
Enhanced drinking water irrigation and drinking purposes to
Uneven distribution of rainfall
supply to villages and cities in Gujarat. drought-prone areas.
with frequent droughts
 Lesson Learned
Importance of Integrated Water
Management
Community Participation is Key
Invest in Sustainable Technologies
Value Water as an Economic Good
Nature-Based Solutions
Education and Awareness
Planning for Climate Change
Equity and Justice