Water Scarcity: 7 Daunting Facts You Would Cry About

Here are some hard to believe facts on the looming water scarcity, that is soon to hit the entire world, like never before. What we call water scarcity now will cast its worst outfit ever, but all because of human deeds. These water-related facts will make you feel the most uncomfortable, but you will treat the water in a better way. Go through the facts and try not to cry over the knocking water scarcity.

Ø 1 among every 10 people in the world lack access to safe water. 319 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are without access to improved reliable drinking water sources. 84% of the people who don't have access to improved water, live in rural areas, where they live principally through subsistence agriculture. The World Bank Predicts that by 2015, two by third of the global population will run short of fresh drinking water.

Ø Water-related diseases kill one child every 15 seconds. Half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from water-borne diseases. In poor countries, it is 8 of 10 beds. In developing countries, as much as 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions. Improved water facilities, sanitation and hygiene can reduce the burden of disease by 10% globally.

Ø A rural African woman may need to walk 10 miles to get to a water source. The United Nations estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa alone loses 40 billion hours per year collecting water; the same as an entire year's labour in all of France!

Ø African continent is worst affected with almost 358 million people without clean water access. But this figure is merely 9 million in all the developed countries combined, counting USA, Canada, European countries, Japan, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

Ø India ranks a dismal 120 out of 122 nations for its water quality and 133rd out of 180 nations for its water availability. Only about one-third of rural households in India are reached by piped water supplies.  The rest is still living ‘beyond the pipe’. Among the piped water distribution, more than half of the pipes in rural areas in India deliver untreated water. 82% people living in rural area lack adequate access to water while it is only 8 litres 18% in urban areas.

Ø According to the World Health Organization, for every $1 invested in water and sanitation, there is an economic return of between $3 and $34. An average statistics says that investing $1 on water crisis would return $4 to the world. This statistic goes forth saying $ is lost every year due to lack of or shortage of water and sanitation facilities, globally.

Ø 22 cities Out of 32 major cities in India confront water shortage every day. Still we are lavish at water usage. A single flush takes 8 litres of water. It takes 11,000 litres to make 450 grams of coffee and 300 litres to make a Sunday newspaper. A dripping tap alone can waste about 20,000 litres of water every year.

Now tell me, is not it more likely to reduce the chances if you already knew it? Don’t worry, now you know it. Start harvesting water today itself…

Pic Credits: Google Images