7.2 The Water Scarcity Challenge and a Solution

The chart presented below provides an overview of global water consumption, highlighting the distribution across domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors. Agriculture claims the majority, approximately 69%, making it a prime focus for water conservation efforts, particularly in improving irrigation methods to curtail water waste.

As the world approaches a population of 9 billion by the mid-21st century, the demand for food, feed, and fibre is projected to double. Simultaneously, there will be an increased utilization of crops and landscapes for bioenergy and industry, intensifying competition for agricultural land and water. At the same time, effective water resource management faces challenges from climate change and human activities related to urbanization, industry, and agriculture.

Irrigated agriculture, supplying 40% of the world’s food on about 20% of available arable land, plays a crucial role. However, as arable land diminishes due to soil salinization, erosion, and urbanization, boosting crop production becomes imperative. Irrigated agriculture will become more significant, especially in arid and humid areas.

Growing concerns over water scarcity and pollution have led many countries to adopt treated wastewater as a cost-effective solution to supplement water supply. This practice is favoured over alternatives like desalination or developing new water sources with dams and reservoirs. Treated wastewater, also known as reclaimed or recycled water, is a valuable resource, provided it meets specific quality standards, and finds applications in agriculture, industry, and groundwater recharge. This practice helps alleviate global freshwater shortages. 

Despite its benefits, the impact of treated wastewater on health and the environment varies based on treatment, irrigation methods, and local conditions. Notably, in several developing countries, untreated sewage is still used for agricultural irrigation, posing health risks. This practice affects a substantial amount of land, estimated at several million hectares in around fifty countries, roughly accounting for 10% of total irrigated land.

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