Water crisis: study predicts one billion city dwellers may face shortages by 2050

By 2050, more than 1 billion city dwellers may face water shortages if no new infrastructure is built or no new water conservation efforts are undertaken, according to a new study [1]. More than 3 billion may suffer similar water shortages at least one month of every year. Without new investment the poorest cities will suffer most. The shortages are projected to hit megacities ranging from Beijing to Delhi, Mexico City, Lagos and Tehran.

The estimates in the study are conservative considering it looks only at water availability and not at water quality or delivery.

To define “water shortage,” the study used a standard of 100 litres per person per day, which the World Health Organization says is the minimum a person needs for “optimum” long-term health and sanitation.

While urban population growth will account for most of the big projected increases in water shortage, climate change may add an additional 100 million more people to live without adequate supplies unless cities take measures on time.

Instead of relying on expensive infrastructural solutions to increase water supply, the study recommends water conservation measures especially in agriculture and industry.