Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region. ... Water shortages may be caused by climate change, such as altered weather patterns including droughts or floods, increased pollution, and increased human demand and overuse of water.

Reasons We're Facing a Global Water Crisis

1) We're Changing the Climate, Making Dry Areas Drier and Precipitation More Variable and Extreme. ...

2) More People + More Money = More Water Demand. ...

3) Groundwater Is Being Depleted. ...

4) Water Infrastructure Is in a Dismal State of Disrepair. ...

5) And Natural Infrastructure Is Being Ignored. ...

6) Water Is Wasted.

Causes of Scarcity of Water:

1. Inadequate rainfall:
One of the main causes of water scarcity is inadequate rainfall. Regions with low rainfall or irregular precipitation patterns often face water scarcity as there is not enough water to meet the needs of the population and agriculture. This is particularly prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions.

2. Population growth:
The rapid growth of the global population puts immense pressure on water resources. As the population increases, so does the demand for water for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industrial purposes. This leads to overutilization of water resources, resulting in scarcity.

3. Climate change:
Climate change is a significant contributor to water scarcity. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and floods impact the availability and distribution of water. These changes disrupt the natural water cycle and exacerbate water scarcity.

4. Overextraction of groundwater:
Many regions heavily rely on groundwater as a primary source of water. However, excessive pumping of groundwater for agriculture, industry, and domestic use can deplete aquifers faster than they can recharge. This overextraction of groundwater leads to a decline in water tables and contributes to water scarcity.

5. Pollution and contamination:
Water pollution and contamination pose significant challenges to water availability. Industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, improper waste disposal, and untreated sewage can contaminate water sources, making them unsuitable for consumption or irrigation. Contaminated water sources require costly treatment methods, further straining water resources.

6. Inefficient water management:
Poor water management practices can contribute to water scarcity. Inefficient irrigation techniques, leaky pipes, lack of storage infrastructure, and inadequate water distribution systems result in water wastage and loss. These inefficiencies reduce the availability of water for various purposes, exacerbating water scarcity.

7. Urbanization and deforestation:
Rapid urbanization and deforestation lead to the loss of natural water catchment areas, such as forests and wetlands. These areas play a crucial role in regulating the water cycle and replenishing groundwater. When they are destroyed or degraded, water runoff increases, leading to floods, while the recharge of groundwater decreases, causing water scarcity in the long run.

In conclusion, water scarcity is caused by a combination of factors, including inadequate rainfall, population growth, climate change, overextraction of groundwater, pollution, inefficient water management, and urbanization. Addressing these causes requires sustainable water management practices, conservation efforts, and proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change.