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• What are the main causes of water scarcity?

  Water scarcity can be physical or economic. Physical scarcity occurs due to natural factors like low rainfall, high temperatures, and climate change, which reduce freshwater availability. Economic scarcity arises when people can't afford safe water because of the high costs of collection, storage, purification, and distribution, despite water being physically available.
• Why does the price of water vary between countries?

  Water prices vary due to differences in ownership, infrastructure, and government policy. In countries like Canada, water remains publicly owned and costs much less than in privatized systems like Germany. In Ireland, prices were lower because charging only began in 2012. In Denmark, prices are intentionally high to reduce consumption. In privatized systems, prices rise to fund infrastructure and allow profit, which can cause tension.
• What happened during Bolivia’s water privatisation in 1999?

  In Cochabamba, Bolivia, water services were privatized and prices soared—poor urban residents had to pay up to 20% of their income for water. This sparked widespread protests lasting four days, forcing the government to cancel the contract. The case highlights how privatisation without safeguards can harm access to water for vulnerable groups.
• How does access to safe water affect health and well-being?

  Access to clean water and proper sanitation is closely linked to wealth, health, and well-being. Investing in sanitation improves public health, reduces disease, and boosts economic productivity. Safe water supports better hygiene, lowers infant mortality, and enhances quality of life, especially in low-income areas.
• Why is water so important for economic development?

  Water is vital for producing food, energy, and industrial goods. As economies grow, demand rises. By 2030, a 40% gap between water supply and demand is predicted. Agriculture needs to produce 60% more food by 2050, and 75% of the UK's water use is for energy. However, current water use is often unsustainable, making greater efficiency essential.
• Why can water scarcity lead to conflict?

  As water supplies become more strained, especially across borders, the risk of conflict increases. There are 263 rivers that cross international boundaries, and 90% of countries share at least one drainage basin. Dams and water diversion schemes can reduce river flow downstream, creating tensions between nations and communities.
• What are the water management challenges in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin?

  The MDB provides 75% of Australia’s water and 40% of its farm output. Water extraction has risen fivefold since the 1920s. A 2012 agreement tried to fairly allocate water between agriculture, industry, urban areas, and the environment. However, rural communities claimed they didn’t get enough water for irrigation, leading to job losses and declining populations. Meanwhile, farmers were frustrated seeing ‘environmental’ water left unused.