World Water Data Explained

We are constantly barraged with looming predictions of coming water wars. In fact, many claim
that the next major world war will be fought over water, not oil. As we continue on into the 21st
century, the increase in world population and its impact on the availability of clean freshwater
will certainly be one of the most pressing global issues facing mankind. Water, after all, is the
basis of life; the lifeblood of our existence. Our universal dependence and the lack of any known
substitutes make water a truly unique resource. Our dependence, however, goes far beyond
biological and domestic needs as it use underlies agricultural and industrial processes as well.
Waters availability affects not only human well-being and survival, but also ecosystem health
and functioning, economics, and even politics.

The idea that a planet with a surface covered predominantly by water could be facing a water
crisis seems surprising, yet despite its seemingly global abundance, only a small fraction of that
water is fresh and available for use. Postel et al. (1996) estimated the currently geographically
and temporally accessible annual amount of renewable freshwater at 12,500 km3/yr, only
0.001% of the estimated global water budget. Still, this surprisingly small percentage is more
than adequate to meet global per capita needs. To subsist, it is estimated that a person needs a
minimum of 1,000 cubic meters of water per year for drinking, hygiene, and growing food. 1,700
cubic meters of water per capita is typically seen as a threshold for a country to be considered
water stressed.

1. A. Assuming 1,700 cubic meters of water per capita of renewable water is the threshold for
water stress, how many countries based on the data would be considered water stressed?

There are 31 water stressed countries according the data sheet, they have been
highlighted in red in the spreadsheet and listed at the end of the document.

B. If a countrys per capita renewable water is greater than 1,700 cubic meters, in reality does
that necessarily mean that the country does not experience water stress? Explain.

A country thats per capita renewable water is greater than 1,700 cubic meters
does not necessarily mean that the country does not experience water stress.
The country could access water through other sources that are nonrenewable,
like deep aquifers. They could also use economic means to get water, possible
by importing it from a neighboring country that has more water access. Only
countries with a lot of wealth can do this. Of course these countries could be
experiencing water stress, and most likely are.
2. How many countries are currently withdrawing more water per capita than is annually being
renewed per capita?

Eight counties are currently withdrawing more water, they are highlighted in orange in
the spreadsheet and listed below. The ones highlighted in grey are equal to the amount
renewed, they are also listed at the bottom.

3. It is amazing how much water is utilized for agricultural production.

Which six countries use the largest percentage of their annual withdraws on agriculture?

1. Somalia - 100%

2. Mali - 99%

3. Afghanistan - 98%

4. Cambodia- 98%

5. Myanmar - 98%

6. Turkmenistan - 98%

4. Which six countries use the largest percentage of their annual withdraws on industry?

1. Belize - 89%

2. Finland - 84%

3. Poland - 79%

4. Bulgaria - 78%

5. Ireland - 77%

6. United Kingdom - 75%

5. Update your own assigned country using this data. Show the relative amount of water by use
in some sort of table or graphic for your assigned country (Germany)
1. Algeria
2. Burkina Faso
3. Burundi
4. Czech Rep
5. Denmark
6. Egypt The Countries
7. Eritrea that do not meet
8. Ethiopia water stress threshold
9. Haiti of 1,700.
10. Israel
11. Jordan
12. Kenya
13. Korea,
14. Kuwait
15. Lebanon
16. Lesotho
17. Libya
18. Malawi
19. Morocco
20. Oman
21. Pakistan
22. Poland
23. Rwanda
24. Saudi Arabia
25. Somalia
26. South Africa
27. Syria
28. Tunisia
29. United Arab Emirates
30. Yemen
31. Zimbabwe

1. Egypt
2. Kuwait The countries that
3. Libya are withdrawing
4. Oman more water than
5. Saudi Arabia is being replaced.
6. United Arab Emirates
7. Uzbekistan
8. Yemen

1. Israel Countries that are withdrawing

2. Jordan the same amount that is being replaced.