A surprising look at the future of groundwater

Each March 22nd marks the UN’s World Water Day, which “celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2 billion people currently living without access to safe water.”

There’s a term that the UN uses – water-stressed. This is defined as a state or territory that is annually withdrawing or “using up” 25% or more of its renewable freshwater resources. Back in 2018, just 18.4% of total renewable freshwater resources were being withdrawn. Yet today there are regions experiencing serious water issues. Northern Africa has critical water stress levels, while Central and Southern Asia were classed as having high water stress. On the other end of the scale, 31 percent of the global population remains at the “no stress” level.

I mean, look at this chart. Canada is Dark Blue (Low) and our risk is Light Blue (Low to Medium). Not our problem! Why should we care? Why should you read on? The World Resources Institute projects that by 2040 the problem is likely to become more widespread. What are the causes? They attribute several sources that are stressing water systems: Urbanization, Population Growth, Climate Change and Economic Development. Forty-four countries face either “extremely high” or “high” water-stress levels by 2040. 

Take a guess which countries are likely to have a High or Extremely High water-stress level. China, India, okay, but Australia? And would you believe the U.S. (including Alaska) is included? Check out this next chart.

Drought and the risk of drought is a key condition that is likely to contribute to water stress. We received a taste of drought last year in this country. What if this were to persist for a decade? The point is that we often live as if a plentiful supply of water will always be a given. That could be changing for both reasons we control and reasons out of our control. It’s time to start paying attention.

Ways to make an impact

The first area is behavioral. Change in behavior starts with a change in awareness.  We can either live as if the water supply is unending and not worry about it. Or we can live with an awareness that it may not be unending and take small steps today that allow us to hedge our bets. I’m trying to pay more attention to how long I’m in the shower, how long I leave water running and how long I’m setting our sprinklers. Those are small changes, but if they add to the water supply for my grandchildren, I’m all for it.

The second area is in technology. I can’t personally have an impact there, but I’m betting on mankind’s ability to do amazing things, like reclaim water to make it potable. I love “The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation” show on Saturdays. Mo Rocca has highlighted technology around the world that is taking water in third-world countries and making it usable again. Continued improvements in desalinization have also been impressive. The trick in many areas is not really about having water; it’s in having drinking water that won’t make you sick. Technology can help solve that.

Enjoy your weekend and don’t complain if it rains. Call us if we can be of help.

Rick Adkins, CFP®, ChFC, MBA

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