Scarcity and environmental quality in river hydrological basins

Abstract

Fauna and flora depend on water of hydrological river basins to remain alive, where a conjunctive use of surface and ground water should take place. Also, water is a human right and must be treated as such to meeting other human rights such as civil and political. Except for drinking purposes, activities such as agriculture, industry, transportation, electricity and amenities make use of water. The last decade there is a growing concern that water is at scarcity and far exceeds the potential for its natural recharge. Degraded water quality deteriorates further the situation. Such worrisome concerns about water quality can be attributed to both natural processes and human activities. Significant environmental health issues and desalination processes at Greek hydrological river basins cannot be ignored. Over 20 countries worldwide are depending on water that is flowing from other nations, and more than 300 of the world hydrological river basins are considered transboundary. The tropics and mid-level northern hemisphere have the potential for freshwater than other parts of the world. According to the UK’s Center for Ecology and Hydrology, rich developed nations are guilty of mismanaging and overusing water resources. In developing countries, water is extraordinarily inefficient because 68% of it is lost in evaporation or returned to rivers and aquifers. The long-term effects arising from irrigation comprise loss of biodiversity and the hydrological river basin waters the ability to natural self-cleaning mechanisms. Shortage of water deprives the fauna and flora of their ecosystems. Besides their contributions to water scarcity, irrigation, industry and domestic effluent are major sources of water pollution and contamination. According to the World Bank in Middle East and North Africa region, many countries fulfil their water demand partially or totally by desalinating seawater. River basins in the region have around 60% of the world’s desalination capacity (7.2 × 109 m3/year). According to the countries plans and their historic desalination capability, the total capacity is expected to increase and reach 19.1 × 109 m3/year by the year 2016 and possibly 31.4 × 109 m3/year by 2025. This will count for around 39% of the anticipated region’s deficit. Preferably, the remaining deficit will be bridged through efficient demand and supply management. Comparing with Middle East and North Africa, Greece is still in an infantile stage.