economic water scarcity
environmental infrastructure
Quick Summary
Water scarcity occurs when there isn't enough freshwater to meet human and environmental needs. There are two main types:12
- Physical water scarcity happens when demand exceeds the available water supply. This affects about 1.2 billion people, often in arid regions.12
- Economic water scarcity is due to a lack of infrastructure or poor management of existing water resources. Over 1.6 billion people face this, meaning water is available but inaccessible or unsafe due to issues like leaks, pollution, or mismanagement.12
Environmental infrastructure, including water supply and waste disposal systems, is crucial for managing water resources and protecting public health and the environment. Challenges like population growth, pollution, and climate change increase demand on this infrastructure, highlighting the need for investment and upkeep.3
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