One in five people has no reliable access to fresh water. The United Nations warned, ahead of World Water Day in March 2008, that by 2025 a third of the global population could face chronic water scarcity. More than two million people in developing countries die each year from illnesses tied to contaminated water, most of them children.
Population growth, rapid urbanization, and rising economic activity have pushed consumption to record levels. Underground aquifers beneath major cities are being drawn down faster than they can refill. In Beijing, water tables fell more than 12 meters over 30 years, pushing the government to commit tens of billions of dollars to a scheme that would redirect southern river water to the dry north.
Climate change adds to the pressure. Rising seas are already pushing saltwater into coastal aquifers, while shifting rainfall patterns are projected to deepen droughts across Africa, southern Europe, and Asia.
Researchers and policymakers point to three broad responses: better sanitation, improved purification, and smarter water management. Desalination through reverse osmosis is the fastest-growing source of new water supplies. Scientists are developing nano-membrane filters and disinfection systems to tackle chemical and pathogen contamination, though effective and affordable methods remain years away.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in March 2008, in its own words.