Over-extraction
In many regions, the demand for water exceeds the available supply, leading to over-extraction of groundwater and surface water resources. Increased agricultural, industrial and municipal water use, coupled with population growth and urbanisation, exacerbates this issue. Over-extraction can result in declining water tables, land subsidence and ecosystem degradation.
Climate change
Climate change affects the distribution, availability and quality of water resources through alterations in precipitation patterns, increased evaporation rates and changes in hydrological cycles. Droughts, floods and extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, further straining water supplies and exacerbating water stress in vulnerable regions.
Pollution
Pollution from industrial, agricultural and urban sources contaminates water bodies, rendering them unfit for human consumption and detrimental to aquatic ecosystems. Nutrient runoff, chemical spills and untreated wastewater discharge degrade water quality, impairing aquatic habitats and threatening public health. Contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides and pharmaceuticals pose long-term risks to ecosystems and human well-being.
Ecosystem degradation
Alterations to natural landscapes, such as deforestation, wetland drainage and river channelisation, disrupt hydrological processes and diminish the capacity of ecosystems to regulate water flows, filter pollutants and provide habitat. Loss of biodiversity and habitat fragmentation further undermine ecosystem resilience and reduce the ability of natural systems to cope with environmental stressors.
Competition for resources
Growing competition for water resources among various sectors, including agriculture, industry, energy production and urban development, intensifies pressure on finite water supplies. Conflicting demands and inequitable distribution exacerbate water scarcity and heighten tensions among water users, leading to conflicts over water rights, access and allocation.
