The global shortage of fresh water has emerged as a critical challenge, with 2.3 billion people, or one in four individuals worldwide, facing water scarcity, according to the United Nations. With the world's population rapidly expanding, projections indicate a significant 40 percent gap between the anticipated demand and the available freshwater supplies by 2030 if current water management practices persist.
Water stress, measured by the ratio of freshwater use to renewable sources, becomes pronounced when water abstraction surpasses available resources. This imbalance either depletes aquifers at an unsustainable rate or necessitates higher levels of desalination. The Middle East, characterized by arid and semi-arid regions with limited precipitation, faces a dual threat of chronic water scarcity and extreme weather events, jeopardizing the region's prosperity and stability.
The Middle East and North Africa host seven out of ten countries grappling with water scarcity, experiencing an average water stress level of 820%. This alarming statistic signifies that annual water intake surpasses the renewable water supply by eightfold. Growing dependence on groundwater, especially in inland areas where desalination is economically impractical, intensifies the strain on limited water resources. Coastal regions also face challenges, with seawater quality degradation hindering desalination operations, notably in Persian Gulf states.
Countries such as Egypt, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates experience high levels of water stress, with Egypt confronting an annual water shortage of nearly 7 billion cubic meters, affecting its population of over 106 million people.
Rising temperatures, escalating water demand, and dam construction contribute to the shrinking of lakes in the Middle East, exemplified by the diminishing sizes of Lake Urmia in Iran and Lake Sava in Iraq. The construction of dams, particularly evident in the controversy surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile, underscores the potential for conflicts over water resources.
Turkey's dam construction on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers further strains relations, as Iraq and Syria accuse Ankara of diverting essential water supplies. Anticipating future conflicts, the struggle for water resources is foreseen to escalate in various global regions, including Asia, Latin America, and even Europe.
In response to the escalating water crisis, countries are taking measures to secure water supplies. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment advocates for extended water storage in large reservoirs, the development of alternative water sources, and even considering purchasing water from other nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron has introduced a national plan for the economical use of water, emphasizing the need for responsible water consumption in all sectors to mitigate shortages. Macron's proposal includes the "eco-watt of water" rule, aimed at gradually increasing the reuse of wastewater from 1% to 10% by 2030.
As the world faces an imminent water crisis, Russia's role becomes pivotal due to its possession of the largest reserves of clean drinking water, highlighting the need for international collaboration and strategic planning to address this pressing global issue.
