Selected for the Global Economic Symposium 2010

Water is one of our basic resources, but it is often in short supply not only for human use but also for ecological systems. While in some countries groundwater resources still are abundant and readily available for development, in others depletion due to overdrafting, waterlogging, salination as well as pollution cause severe problems. In addition, the uneven distribution of water (and population) among regions has made the adequate supply critical for a growing number of countries. Rapid population growth and an increasing consumption of water per capita have aggravated the problem. This tendency is likely to continue as water consumption for most uses is projected to increase by at least 50 percent by 2025 compared to 1995 level.