Four Billion People Affected By Critical Water Shortages, New Study Finds

(Photo : Getty Images/Justin Sullivan) A new study suggests that an estimated 4 billion people in the world go without the necessary water supplies to meet their needs on a daily basis.

A new study suggests that an estimated 4 billion people in the world go without the necessary water supplies to meet their needs on a daily basis.

A team of researchers from the University of Twente in Enschede, Netherlands, looked into the impact of water scarcity on humans and the planet's ecology, writes Tech Times.

The study indicates that the world's water shortages come down to the rapid growth of human populations, water consumption habits and the increasing demand on water resources to sustain agricultural practices. According to lead researcher, Arjen Hoekstra, a water management professor at the University of Twente, the water crisis has left a physical mark on Earth's landscape.

"Groundwater levels decline and lakes disappear," Hoekstra said according to Voa News. "You have less water flowing in the rivers. This threatens ecosystems and biodiversity, and harms local downstream communities where water will not flow."

Prior studies analyzing water consumption around the world used yearly figures, however Hoekstra's team looked at the effects on a monthly basis.

The models used by the research team took into account data on climate, land use, soil samples, irrigation systems and crop growth as well as population and industry density.

The results of the study suggest that the number of people affected by ongoing water shortages around the globe has been vastly underestimated. Initial estimates showed that 1.7 to 3 billion people were affected by water shortages - but the new study suggests that the figure is closer to 4 billion people. Almost half of the total number of people without access to necessary supplies of water originates from India or China.

The researchers also found that the problem affects each region of the world - with areas including the American West, the Middle East and parts of Africa encountering critical water shortages.

Hoekstra said that the availability of accurate data on the effects of water scarcity on the different regions of the world could help researchers to predict water shortages and their causes.

Hoekstra and his team are advocating globally for better use of water supplies. They believe that the introduction of government-monitored limits to help regulate water to better fit with available supplies is one method to ensure water is conserved. Measures such as this could also raise public awareness of the amount of water consumed to fulfill basic needs.

Hoekstra and his team warn that sustainable water use is needed to ensure that water supplies remain accessible.

Water scarcity is a high priority in terms of environmental concerns set by the World Economic Forum, alongside climate change, Hoekstra said. Water shortages remain one of the biggest risks to the global economy.

The study was published in the journal Science Advances.