Key Facts on Water Issues

• Freshwater is a scarce resource. Only 0.008 per cent of the planet's water is available for human consumption, and is found in lakes, rivers and underground aquifers. Freshwater is a scarce resource. Only 0.008 per cent of the planet's water is available for human consumption, and is found in lakes, rivers and underground aquifers.
  
  
• This 0.008 per cent is unevenly distributed. At least 13 per cent of the planet's renewable supply of freshwater is in Brazil. This 0.008 per cent is unevenly distributed. At least 13 per cent of the planet's renewable supply of freshwater is in Brazil.
  
  
• In many countries, the availability of water is seasonal. In Australia, for example, 65 per cent of runoff occurs in January, February and March.In many countries, the availability of water is seasonal. In Australia, for example, 65 per cent of runoff occurs in January, February and March.
  
  
• To modify such seasonal and geographical variations, humans have built more than 36,000 dams over 15 meters in height around the world.To modify such seasonal and geographical variations, humans have built more than 36,000 dams over 15 meters in height around the world.
  
  
• More than 70 per cent of the world's population is without clean water, and an estimated 25,000 people die each day as a result of bad water management.More than 70 per cent of the world's population is without clean water, and an estimated 25,000 people die each day as a result of bad water management.
  
  
• About 40 per cent of the world's population depends on water from a neighbouring country. Of the more than 200 river systems shared by two or more countries, several have already caused international conflict. There are now more than 2,000 treaties between countries that relate to water rights.About 40 per cent of the world's population depends on water from a neighbouring country. Of the more than 200 river systems shared by two or more countries, several have already caused international conflict. There are now more than 2,000 treaties between countries that relate to water rights.
  
  
• At least 90 per cent of drinkable water in the world is groundwater. This source of water is increasingly threatened with depletion and contamination. At least 90 per cent of drinkable water in the world is groundwater. This source of water is increasingly threatened with depletion and contamination.
  
  
• Irrigation is the largest consumer of freshwater. Much of this water is lost through evaporation. With the growth in human populations, agricultural water consumption is expected to rise six-fold between the years 1990 and 2000.Irrigation is the largest consumer of freshwater. Much of this water is lost through evaporation. With the growth in human populations, agricultural water consumption is expected to rise six-fold between the years 1990 and 2000.
  
  
• In part because of poisoned waterways, one-fifth of the world's freshwater fishes is either endangered or extinct, according to the World Resources Institute.In part because of poisoned waterways, one-fifth of the world's freshwater fishes is either endangered or extinct, according to the World Resources Institute.
  
  
  

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