The global freshwater crisis: the dual challenge of availability and access
The freshwater crisis is one of the most serious resource crises facing the world today, and it is profound and multifaceted. Approximately 97 percent of the Earth’s water is saline, and only about 3 percent is freshwater, of which only a small portion is available for human use. Despite this, 2–3 billion people worldwide face water stress at some point during the year. This crisis is not merely a physical shortage of water, but a combined crisis of declining availability and equitable and secure access to water, simultaneously affecting environmental, social, economic, and political dimensions.
Freshwater availability has steadily declined over the past few decades. A major reason for this is the overexploitation of groundwater. Increasing demands from agriculture, industry, and domestic use have placed unbearable pressure on aquifers. The increasing reliance on tubewells and borewells for irrigation since the Green Revolution has outpaced natural recharge capacity. The rapid decline in groundwater levels in countries like India, China, and the United States poses a serious threat to future water security. In many areas, aquifers have been permanently damaged, making water availability for future generations even more uncertain.
Pollution of water sources is another major cause of the freshwater crisis. Domestic sewage, industrial waste, heavy metals, and agricultural chemicals discharged untreated into rivers, lakes, and groundwater are making water unusable. This problem is even more severe in developing countries, where treatment infrastructure is lacking. As a result, in many places, even when water is available, it is no longer potable, creating health hazards and reducing the effective availability of water.
Climate change has exacerbated this crisis. Rising global temperatures are leading to rapid glacial melt, erratic rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of droughts and floods. Shrinking glaciers in regions such as the Himalayas, Alps, and Andes are destabilizing river flows over the long term. This causes floods in the short term, while in the long term, it leads to chronic water scarcity. Irregular rainfall in monsoon regions has also made water storage and agricultural planning challenging.
Additionally, wetlands and natural recharge areas have been rapidly degraded. Urbanization, unscientific land use, and real estate development have destroyed lakes, ponds, floodplains, and swamps. These ecosystems not only help store water and recharge groundwater, but also moderate the effects of floods and droughts. Their destruction has disrupted the natural balance of the water cycle.
Population growth and changing consumption patterns have also increased pressure on freshwater. Urban lifestyles, water-intensive industries, and changing dietary habits—especially meat-eating—have increased the per capita water footprint. As a result, water demand has far exceeded natural recharge capacity.
While water availability is declining, in many areas, even when water is available, people are still deprived of access. This is primarily due to inadequate infrastructure. In many countries, water collection, treatment, and distribution systems are weak. Due to outdated pipeline networks, high leakage, and inadequate storage, large amounts of water are lost before reaching consumers. According to the World Bank, approximately 40 percent of urban water in developing countries is lost during distribution.
Additionally, water quality issues limit access. Even where water is physically available, it may be undrinkable due to contamination. Waterborne diseases remain a major public health challenge in many countries, with poor and marginalized communities being the most affected.
Political and legal barriers also limit access to water. Water is a shared resource, leading to interstate and international disputes. River sharing, conflicts of rights within federal structures, and the complexities of international river agreements often prevent equitable access even in water-rich areas.
Social inequality is another significant aspect of this crisis. The greatest burden of water scarcity falls on vulnerable sections of society—the rural poor, urban slum dwellers, women and children. In many places, social discrimination, poverty, and lack of affordability prevent equal access to safe water, further exacerbating inequality.
Weak water governance also complicates the problem. Lack of coordination among water management institutions, a lack of reliable data, and short-term policies hinder long-term solutions. In many countries, water-related authority and responsibilities are fragmented among multiple ministries and agencies, preventing the development of an integrated and holistic approach.
Seasonal imbalances also exacerbate water access problems. In monsoon regions, rainfall is abundant for a few months, while water is scarce for the rest of the year. Inadequate storage and management prevents this seasonal water availability from being translated into sustainable availability. Cities like Chennai and Cape Town are prime examples of this paradox, experiencing floods and droughts in the same year.
United Nations reports consistently warn that the freshwater crisis is not only an environmental issue but also deeply linked to economic development, social stability, and global peace. Water scarcity is becoming an emerging cause of conflict, migration, and livelihood crises.
Ultimately, the freshwater crisis is one of the greatest shared challenges facing humanity. It is clear that this problem is not solely a result of natural limitations, but also of man-made policy and management failures. If sustainable water management, rainwater harvesting, wetland conservation, inclusive water governance, and international cooperation are prioritized in time, this crisis can be transformed into an opportunity. Ensuring water security is not just a question of environmental protection, but an essential obligation linked to social justice, economic development, and the protection of the rights of future generations.
Dr. Priyanka Saurabh
Thursday, February 19, 2026