This project was made possible by the very generous support of an anonymous donor and
Pulling together a project of this size takes a lot of work. The help of Jayme Nelson, Katherine Hill and Kathryn Wagner from Inside Education was invaluable. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you!
AC Atienza, Brendan Bate, Shannon Smithwick, Steff Stephansson, Kaleigh Watson, Andrew Wilson.
Water scarcity is a term which is not well defined and means different things in different places and at different times. In general terms, “water scarcity”, also known as “water shortage” and “drought”, occurs when the demand for water in an area is greater than the available supply or when the water’s poor quality restricts its use.
Note that “drought” has several definitions which we discuss here. Because of the many possible types of “drought”, the longer “water scarcity” or “water shortage” terms tend to be used by water quantity specialists.
The mismatch of demand exceeding supply can result from both the supply side and the demand side.
Water shortages can lead to significant problems, such as health hazards, crop failure, food shortages, communal conflict over water use and reduced economic activity. This article will look at ways in which water scarcity can be addressed.
Increasing the supply of water is usually very difficult or very expensive or both. So, if the supply cannot be easily increased, the only other option is to use the existing supply more efficiently. There are many proactive measures communities can take to improve their use of the available water.
As discussed above, a water shortage occurs when water demand exceeds supply. One approach then, is to add more storage in the cases where supply sometimes exceeds demand so that the “excess supply” (e.g. spring run-off) is preserved for later use in a drier period (e.g. late summer). This can happen in several ways:
Installing rain-water barrels means that rain that would normally flow off the property is captured on the property and can be used on the property later. This approach has benefits beyond simply storing free water for later use. For example, capturing rainfall on the property will reduce the flows in community stormwater systems and can help reduce community flooding [1].
While “build a dam” seems to be an obvious answer to water shortage, like many things it is not that simple. We have much more content on dams here and here but some initial issues to be considered are:
We have written more about Managed Aquifer Recharge here but the basic point is that it may be possible to deliberately use aquifers to store water for later use. Whether this is a viable approach for any given community will depend on the local aquifers. Which, in turn, means that those aquifers need to be researched and well understood.
Most water requires some treatment to make it safe for human consumption. If there are available sources of non-potable water, it may be possible to treat that water. An extreme example of this is desalination for coastal communities. While this will produce potable water, that water comes at a very high energy cost. It is estimated that desalination uses 26% of the world’s total energy used in the water sector [2] (p.68). Aside from the energy cost of treatment, there is a significant financial cost which leads to something called the “water-prosperity paradox”: while safe, accessible water and sanitation fosters prosperity, providing that safe, accessible water requires prosperity [3] (p.148). So, while it may be technically possible to improve and upgrade the water supply plants, the community may not be able to afford the upgrades, or the subsequent cost of the treated water, or have the skills to continue operating the treatment plants over the long term.
It must be noted that safe potable water is not universally accessible here in Canada nor in the rest of the world. For example, Canada had 28 long-term boil-water advisories in 26 First Nation reserve communities as of January 2024 [4]. Globally, in 2023 it was estimated that 26% of the global population did not have access to safe drinking water [5].
We’ve written much more here about using “green infrastructure” to reduce run-off. However, the key point is that several benefits result from slowing down surface run-off and using things such as bioswales and wetlands:
Addressing water scarcity involves improving water management practices, investing in infrastructure to treat and recycle water, and adopting policies that promote water conservation and sustainable use.
If it is not always possible to increase the supply, it may be possible to reduce the demand for water. In extreme cases, this can be done through approaches such as water rationing but there are many other options, too.
Encourage community members, businesses, and industries to reduce their demand through simple actions such as fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances, and practicing maximally efficient irrigation techniques.
Leaks in water distribution systems can consume a startling percentage of the water being produced by treatment plants (e.g. Johannesburg, South Africa, is thought to leak 25% of the water passing through its distribution network [7] which is a significant factor in the frequent supply interruptions [8].)
Irrigation agriculture can improve its water efficiency by changing the way it irrigates. Irrigators talk about “field application efficiency” which refers to the percentage of water applied in the field that is used effectively by the plants. The following table shows varying levels of “field application efficiency” for different irrigation methods.
| Irrigation methods | Field application efficiency |
|---|---|
| Surface irrigation (border, furrow, basin) | 60% |
| Sprinkler irrigation | 75% |
| Drip irrigation | 90% |
Changing to, say, “drip irrigation” from “surface irrigation” allows for the same amount of water to reach the plants’ roots while overall reducing the amount of water that is needed for the crop. An alternative approach, of course, may be to change crops from crops requiring high volumes of water to crops requiring low volumes [10].
In urban areas, water restrictions are used to reduce daily per capita water consumption [11]. People may be encouraged to reduce their personal consumption through measures such as taking shorter showers, changing how they wash dishes, etc. Greater re-use or recycling of water can also be used to reduce water withdrawals and reduce demand.
Similarly, industry may be able to reduce its water consumption through changed practices and greater re-use of water. The concept of “water-use efficiency” [12] is defined as the ratio of dollar value added (i.e. how much additional value is produced from the water – think of an irrigated versus non-irrigated farmer’s field) to the volume of water used. This provides an economic measure of how efficiently water is being used. The measure is one the indicators used to monitor progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Although the data set is based on 86 countries and is, therefore, not complete, in the 2015-2018 period, water-use efficiency increased 9% with a 15% increase in the industrial sector [13]. The increased efficiency is an encouraging sign of the potential for future water conservation.
One method of reducing demand is to use the price for water to impose costs on users of that water and so discourage inefficient or wasteful use of water. An argument is sometimes made that water should be free. While it is true that some water falls from the sky and is free, the treatment to ensure the water is safe to drink, storage and distribution of water comes with costs [14]. Water prices are generally subsidised and there are very few jurisdictions where the full economic and environmental cost of water is covered by its price ([15], p.22).
Access to water and sanitation is considered a human right [16]. Setting the price for water in a way which recognizes that right and does not exclude the poorest in society while also discouraging wasteful use of water can be challenging. There are various pricing structures and charges which can be implemented to achieve this. For example [17]:
Native plants are adapted to the local conditions but, in some areas, non-native species have been introduced which require more water than the indigenous plants. Removing such plants and restoring the indigenous vegetation can support reduce water demand (by up to 16% in one source) and support water conservation efforts [20] (p.12).
Similarly to the concept above, it may be possible for agriculture to switch to crops requiring less water. For example, recent studies suggest that switching to lower water intensity crop types in California’s Central Valley could reduce consumption by up to 93% [21]. Such switching may, of course, come with other challenges such as reduced profitability for the farmer.
Water is a limited resource, with many stakeholders, including the environment and ecosystem. If a water shortage is to be managed effectively, there needs to be collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, industries, and environmental organizations, to develop integrated water resource management plans that balance human needs with ecosystem protection [22], [23]. This is a process that requires a lot of time, genuine commitment from the participants and, ideally, mutual trust built on successful, meaningful cooperation.
It is important to educate community members and industry about the importance of water conservation and ecosystem protection. Awareness campaigns (e.g. Calgary’s 2024 drought planning) can encourage water-saving behaviours and support for conservation policies while also raising awareness of the issue [24].
Ecosystems evolve and adapt to the typically prevailing conditions. If those conditions abruptly change, there are likely to be significant ecosystem challenges. Water shortage is likely to have the following consequences:
Reduced water availability can lead to the drying up of wetlands, rivers, and streams, resulting in the loss of crucial habitats for aquatic and terrestrial species. Low water levels and altered flow patterns can disrupt aquatic ecosystems [25], leading to changes in water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, and nutrient concentrations, which can negatively impact aquatic life resulting in events such as fish kills [26].
Reduced water flow can create barriers to the migration of fish and other aquatic-dependant species, hindering their ability to reach spawning grounds and access essential habitats including migratory bird breeding and staging areas. Fragmentation of aquatic habitats due to decreased water availability can isolate populations of species, reducing genetic diversity and increasing the vulnerability of species to extinction [27].
During water shortages, competition for limited water resources intensifies among different users, including humans, wildlife, and agriculture, leading to conflicts and potential ecological imbalance. Prolonged water shortages can result in the collapse of entire ecosystems, leading to cascading effects on dependent species and disrupting ecological processes essential for ecosystem functioning.
Water shortages are some of the most challenging natural crises to address. Life and many economic activities require water and so, when there is a shortage of water, urgent action is required. However, dealing with water shortages is not simple as it usually requires long-term planning, extensive consultation with the many stakeholders who will often have very varied perspectives and changes in practices. With water being so essential to so many life-supporting requirements, a drop in the normally available supply of water can start a cascade of life-altering changes in the environment and the economy.
Conduct simple experiments to show how much water is used in everyday activities, like brushing teeth or taking a shower, and compare it with the amount of water available in different parts of the world.
Have children keep a diary of their water usage for a week. This can include tracking how much water they use for drinking, bathing, and other activities.
Create a small rainwater harvesting system at home or school and show children how collected rainwater can be used for plants or other purposes.
Organize visits to local water treatment plants, reservoirs, or conservation areas to give children a firsthand look at how water is managed and conserved.
Participate in or organize community clean-up events near rivers, lakes, or beaches to highlight the importance of keeping water sources clean.
Encourage children to create posters, drawings, or models that depict the importance of water conservation.
Facilitate classroom discussions about the causes and effects of water scarcity and encourage children to share their ideas on how to conserve water.
Have students maintain reflection journals where they write about what they have learned about
Use simulations (e.g. Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game | Smithsonian Science Education Center (si.edu)) and virtual tours to show the impact of water scarcity in different parts of the world and how technology can help in water management.
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Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.
Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.
Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market. With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry.
Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector.
He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency.
Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field.
Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation. As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.