Water is essential for sustainable development and human survival. 2.2 billion people lack safe drinking water services. 3.5 billion people lack safe sanitation, including 419 million open defecation. 4.2 billion people lack safe sanitation services globally. 2 billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress
Water scarcity exists when fresh water resources are insufficient to meet demand. Physical scarcity occurs in arid regions where natural resources are insufficient. Economic scarcity arises from inadequate infrastructure and human capacity. Global water demand is growing faster than population increase
Founded in 1819 by Jacob Smith as a fur trading post. Became major lumbering center on Saginaw Trail during 19th century. Grew into automobile manufacturing hub with GM's founding in 1908. Population peaked at almost 200,000 in 1960
Water shortage affected Western Cape region from 2015 to 2020. Dam levels peaked between 14-29% of total capacity in 2017-2018. City implemented Level 7 restrictions, including "Day Zero" plan. Daily water usage reduced to 500 million litres by March 2018
Humans extract 4,000 cubic kilometers of water annually, eight times more than a century ago. More than a third of global population faces water scarcity. 33 million hectares of irrigated land worldwide, roughly size of Germany. Climate change worsens drought by heating air and drying soil
Earth's water covers 70% but only 3% is freshwater. 1.1 billion people lack access to water, 2.7 billion face scarcity. 2.4 billion people suffer from inadequate sanitation. Two million people die annually from diarrheal diseases