The World Water Crisis

http://images. google. com/imgres. imgurl=http://images. businessweek http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/04/0410_world_water_crisis/image/kenya.jpg&imgrefurl=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/04/0410_world_water_crisis/16.htm&usg=__vdW_GbwGeoc2t2BQT3-hMCr0XtM=&h=350&w=600&sz=49&hl=en&start=4&sig2=Qlku6jfyXLVC2qyyw4EJgg&um=1&tbnid=kqEoRDzb-TZ-CM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddeveloping%2Bworld%2Bwater%2Bcrisis%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4TSHB_enUS308US308%26um%3D1&ei=sCECS8H8MNXblAfbntV4 India With a fast-growing population of more than 1.1 billion, India is on track to surpass China as the world's most populous country. Despite the country's fast-growing economy, rural Indians face continuing problems with basic sanitation and clean water. The World Bank estimates that more than 20% of communicable diseases in India are related to unclean water.

Sudan, Africa Torn by civil war between its Muslim North and Christian South, Sudan, the largest country by area on the African continent, faces tremendous challenges ensuring its nearly 40 million people have adequate access to safe water. The situation is particularly dire in the refugee-packed south where UNICEF estimates more than 17 million people have no safe drinking water.

Oman Geography has not favored Oman when it comes to water. Located in one of the world's most arid zones, Oman relies on groundwater and very limited rainfall—just 100 millimeters a year—for 65% of its water. The other 35% comes from desalination.

Kenya Long known for its wildlife and safaris, East Africa's Kenya today faces a severe water crisis driven by a population explosion, rampant deforestation, and recurring droughts. Only 61% of its rural population has access to clean water, estimates WaterPartners International, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that works to improve water access in developing countries.

Bahamas Even though the country consists of 700 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is desperately short of fresh water. The country’s water problems are compounded by frequent hurricanes, and climate change and rising sea levels are another threat.

Percentage of Population with access to safe drinking water

Percentage of total disease burden caused by unsafe water

Total renewable fresh water supply

About one third of the world's population lives in water-stressed countries. This is set to increase to two-thirds within 25 years. Africa and Asia are already hard-hit by water stress. Increasing populations will create more pressure in the coming decades.

Why is fresh water so hard to come by? The amount of water on Earth is fixed. Less than 0.01% of the planet's 1.4 billion cubic kilometers is easily accessible freshwater in lakes and rivers.

What is most of the water used for? Global water use has tripled since 1950 and has been increasing faster than the world's population. Much of the water extracted ends up wasted. Agriculture is the world's biggest water guzzler – it takes at least 2,000 liters to produce enough food for one person for one day.

Most people without clean water live in developing countries Most people without clean water live in developing countries. People in rich countries use ten times more water each day than those in poor countries.

Visit http://water.org to learn more