Water Shortages and Crises

Essays | David Wu | August 26th, 2022.

Water covers nearly 70 percent of Earth’s crust, making it one of the most abundant compounds on the planet. Coincidentally, 70 percent of the world population lives within reachable vicinity of water; thus, it would seem counterintuitive to consider that water could become scarce. However, the globe is running out of accessible water. Throughout the summer of 2022, the Colorado River in North America, the River Rhine in Europe, the Yangtze River in Eastern Asia, and countless other rivers worldwide experienced the lowest water levels in history. Reports of droughts and water shortages skyrocketed globally. Humanity’s reliance on water for basic survival makes water essential for civilizational continuity. Therefore, government agencies should thoroughly examine engineering and conservation solutions to mitigate the foreseeable crisis. 

To formulate an exceptional solution, we must first identify the root cause to the water predicament. Finding a singular cause is daunting, as there are many external factors that must be taken into consideration. Nonetheless, human activities have the most pronounced impact on water stability; the human population is directly proportional to the amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Higher carbon dioxide concentrations create a greenhouse gas effect that elevates temperatures. Water molecules could be broken down quickly in hotter temperatures because temperatures provide tremendous energy to particles, accelerating an inter-molecular movement that breaks down the HO. Therefore, reducing temperatures by restricting carbon dioxide emissions is the most optimal solution. While this solution sounds cliché, the urgency to protect a resource that is a critical part of human survival should be an incentive to find immediate technical solutions.

One technical, compelling solution to the drinking water crisis is massive water purification plants stationed near the intersections between rivers and oceans. 70 percent of the Earth is indeed covered in water, but only 3 percent of it can be utilized for consumption and development. The other 67 percent is primarily salty ocean water that is too toxic and impure. The purification strata necessary for seawater conversion may be too expensive to be sustainable. Nonetheless, researching and constructing purification infrastructure at locations where seawater and river water meet would unlock vast amounts of currently inaccessible water.

Another infrastructural solution to the problem considers the incumbent establishments that manage or affect waters. Dams, water treatment plants, and pipes are all vital to the sustainability of available water. The United States built its water systems decades ago, and many outdated frameworks have become incompatible with water demands, especially during shortages. Water infrastructures could be improved without demolishing existing buildings; refurbishment is sufficient for greater water delivery efficiency. 

All potential technological or conservational solutions come at a cost. Researching, constructing, or renovating water services would cost billions of dollars, which, even if allocated, would cause significant national debt and rising inflation in the economy. Conservational solutions may decrease the living standards of citizens. Nevertheless, everyone should make assertive changes to address the water shortage. The most crucial takeaway is to recognize that there is a problem to be addressed, and its implications should pave the way for greater attention from both the government and the governed.