Global Water Crisis Facts
1. More than 9 billion people live in “potentially severely water-scarce areas,” according to the United Nations. That is more than 27 percent of all human beings alive right now.
Factoid: “Water scarcity” is the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a designated region.
2. More than 1 billion people have no access to safely managed drinking water. Not “some access.” Not “limited access.” They have no access.
Factoid: Safely managed drinking water is water that:
3. More than 263 million people must travel more than 30 minutes each way to collect and carry their daily water needs.
Factoid: “Travel” usual means on foot.
Factoid: 30 minutes is the minimum time used for the standard calculation. Many travel several hours each way.
A Look at the Planet (The Supply)
We are all familiar with the phrase coined by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his “Rime of the Ancient Mariner:” “Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.” That could describe the demand side of the global water crisis.
4. 5 percent of the surface water on the earth is the salt water contained in the oceans.
5. 7 percent of the remaining 3.5 percent of the total global water supply is fresh water that is locked away in glaciers, polar ice caps, and permanent snow.
6. Only 30.1 percent of the freshwater is usable, but not necessarily clean. This is the total surface water available for human use.
Factoid: Only slightly more than 1 percent of all the water on earth is available for personal human use.
Global Water Crisis Facts
Photo by Blueskiesfalling (Connor Coyne) After a lawsuit was placed on Michigan and the city of Flint, both decided to help the citizens of the city by replacing the lead pipes that were infecting the water that’s flowing through them. Per Fox News, “Michigan and the city of Flint agreed Monday to replace thousands…
Blueskiesfalling A few years back, Flint, Michigan was found to have water that was mixed with a bunch of lead. It is not until last November though, that a judge made a mandate allowing for home delivery of water bottles. Fox News reports, “A judge on Thursday ordered delivery of bottled water to lead-tainted homes…
In September 2016, India was in a drought after the monsoon rains came in. There was a water sharing deal between two of the states, and this caused much protests. CNN reports, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to protesters to exercise restraint and follow the law as a heavy paramilitary presence was deployed Wednesday. Protests…
Wed April 19, 2017 – Gospel for Asia Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers provide disease-prevention systems and lessons to improve health, offer hope in World Water Day effort WILLS POINT, Texas—Fresh water sources are freeing impoverished families in Asia from sickness and disease. GFA (Gospel for Asia)-supported workers dedicated new Jesus Wells in series of…
PizarroContreras Chile is undergoing a water crisis due to the flooding there. This is located in the capital city of Santiago. The BBC reports, “Rainstorms and landslides in Chile have contaminated a major river forcing the authorities to cut off drinking water to at least four million people in the capital, Santiago.” These homes…
WILLS POINT TX — The entire community of one South Asian village will join in World Water Day celebrations on March 22 by dedicating their new “Jesus Well” – a well drilled and installed with the support of Gospel for Asia (GFA), and which is the result of more than two years of prayer. “Wells…
Nearly 25 percent of India’s vast population is facing a severe water shortage and extreme heat that is claiming lives and threatening livelihoods as temperatures reach 42C/107.6F in the shade, virtually wiping out agriculture in three states. Agriculture represents an estimated 15 percent of India’s gross domestic product, according to The Guardian, which also reports that…
With 91 of India’s major water reservoirs registering lower-than-normal at about 29 percent capacity, the world’s second most-populated nation is facing its worst water scarcity in a decade. Making the challenge even more critical is that 66,093 rural Indian villages only have access to contaminated water. In West Bengal state, the declining water levels of…
WIDESPREAD DROUGHT AFFECTS 330 MILLION ON SUBCONTINENT WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA) is calling on the world to pray for those experiencing a drought, aggravated by rising temperatures. More than 300 million are affected. The Indian government has noted that nearly a quarter of the country, more than 250 districts, are facing…
World Water Day and Your Mission Through our faith in action on World Water Day, many will come to know Him as they are provided with sanitary water, a precious gift that many around the world do not have access to. Throughout scripture, God’s people are commanded to take care of those who are downtrodden…
Residents in India’s capital of Delhi have faced a massive water shortage since protesters in the state of Haryana sabotaged the Munak canal causing a breach the affected 10 million people. The resulting water shortage has sent officials scrambling to supply water to all segments of its society. Marginal communities have suffered the most. Water…
