Water crisis hits rich countries - WWF report
16 Aug 2006
Water crises, long seen as a problem of only the poorest, are increasingly affecting some of the world's wealthiest nations, warns WWF ahead of World Water Week (20-26 August). The global conservation organisation's report, 'Rich countries, poor water', is one of the first comprehensive overviews of water issues in the developed world.
"Economic riches don't translate to plentiful water," says Jamie Pittock, Director of WWF's Global Freshwater Program. "The crisis in rich nations is proof that wealth and infrastructure are no insurance against scarcity, pollution, climate change and drought. They are clearly no substitute for protecting rivers and wetlands, restoring floodplain areas and protecting forested catchments," says Mr Pittock.
The world's thirstiest cities, such as Houston and Sydney, are using more water than can be replenished, and in areas, such as along Australia's east coast, rapid development is proceeding despite clear evidence that water supply limits are being approached. In London, leakage and loss is estimated at 300 Olympic-size swimming pools per day due to ageing water mains.
It is, however, notable that cities with less severe water issues such as New York tend to have a longer tradition of conserving catchment areas and expansive green areas within their boundaries.
"The report recognises Sydney-siders have reduced water use significantly since 2000," says Averil Bones, WWF-Australia's Freshwater Policy Manager, "and yet the volume of water in our dams has not recovered."
"Perth residents know too well, since an abrupt climatic shift reduced their rainfall by 15% in the 1970s, the need to plan development around water availability. And in Alice Springs - a town with no viable water option but to rely on declining groundwater - there are growing concerns about how long the water will last and how much the town can afford to grow," says Ms Bones.
Each day, urban Australians use and discard an average of 300 litres of water each, more than Europeans who consume about 200 litres, and considerably more than those in sub-Saharan Africa who exist on 10-20 litres per day. However, that amount increases exponentially in considering each individual's broader water footprint, for example:1
- 1 glass of wine takes 120 litres of water to produce
- 1 slice of bread requires 40 litres
- 1 cotton t-shirt accounts for a staggering 4100 litres
Water problems affecting rich and poor alike are a wake-up call to return to protecting nature as the source of water. As we approach World Water Week governments must find solutions for both rich and poor, which include repairing ageing infrastructure, recycling, reducing contaminants, pricing water according to its true value and changing irrigation practices.
"There's no doubt water is a political hot potato both in Australia and globally. We must learn from international experiences in the development and implementation of solutions," says Ms Bones.
Find out more
Andy Ridley, National Communications Manager, WWF-Australia
Phone: 02 8202 1237
Mobile: 0415 865 992
Email: aridley@wwf.org.au
Notes
- More statistics available on page 6 of the report, supported by research from the UNESCO-IHE Water Institute
- Find out more about WWF's work on water internationally.
- For freshwater B-roll footage contact Tanya Petersen, Head of TV Centre, WWF International - Phone: +41 22 364 9565 - Email tpetersen@wwfint.org.
