Water: Is There a Global Crisis?

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 2011 Water: Is There a Global Crisis? Eric H. Oelkers; Eric H. Oelkers 1GET/CNRS UMR 5563 – OMP – Université de Toulouse 14, Avenue Édouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France E-mail: oelkers@get.obs-mip.fr Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Janet G. Hering; Janet G. Hering 2EAWAG, Überlandstrasse 133, P.O. Box 611 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland E-mail: janet.hering@eawag.ch Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Chen Zhu Chen Zhu 3Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University 1001 East 10th Street Bloomington, IN 47405-1405, USA E-mail: chenzhu@indiana.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2011) 7 (3): 157–162. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.7.3.157 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Eric H. Oelkers, Janet G. Hering, Chen Zhu; Water: Is There a Global Crisis?. Elements 2011;; 7 (3): 157–162. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.7.3.157 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Providing safe drinking water to the world's 6.9 billion and growing population is one of the greatest challenges of the century. Consideration of the global water cycle, however, shows that the available renewable freshwater resources exceed the current human demand by roughly a factor of 10. Scarcity results from the uneven spatial and temporal distribution of water. Over-withdrawal of surface water and groundwater has led to depletion of water resources and environmental damage in some regions. In many developing countries, inadequate sanitation is a major cause of disease. These problems can be solved through the improved management of water infrastructure and water resources, advances in technology, and a valuation of water that reflects its importance to society. The role of Earth scientists in addressing the global water crisis is crucial. Indeed, resource monitoring, development of novel waste-water treatment technologies, and determination of the quantities of water that can be withdrawn without causing adverse effects on the environment will be essential for the efficient management of global water resources in the future. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.