If scientific reports are to go by, some of the most prominent cities across the globe are at risk of running out of drinking water soon. UN-backed projections indicate a 40% decline in global freshwater supply by 2030 due to human activities, climate change and population explosion.
Despite Earth’s surface being predominantly water-covered, just 3% is considered freshwater. More than one billion people face irregular water access and 2.7 billion experience scarcity for at least a month per year. Read on for the list of the six most vulnerable cities.
1. Bengaluru, India
More than half of the drinking water in this IT hub is lost to wastewater. Rapid population growth compounds the problem, further exacerbated by outdated infrastructure, inability to effectively manage rainwater and limited connectivity to the main supply in the outskirts.
2. London, UK
Surprised? Despite an average annual rainfall of around 600 mm, London is heavily reliant on rivers for 80% of its water supply. The Greater London Authority suggests the city is approaching its capacity and there is a looming possibility of supply issues by 2025.
3. Cairo, Egypt
The River Nile is facing a string of challenges. Despite serving as the origin of 97% of Egypt’s water, it is also becoming the recipient of escalating volumes of untreated residential and agricultural refuge. The UN predicts severe shortages in the country by 2025.
4. Jakarta, Indonesia
Similar to other coastal cities, Jakarta is being threatened by rising sea levels. But the situation is worsened by humans. Illegal well digging is rampant, depleting underground aquifers and causing them to deflate. Consequently, a good portion of the city is now lying below sea level.
5. Istanbul, Turkey
Based on official statistics, the country is currently in a state of water stress, with the per capita supply dropping under 1,700 cubic metres in 2016. In recent times, densely populated regions such as Istanbul have started facing shortages during drier months.
6. Mexico City, Mexico
Facing critical ongoing water shortages, approximately 20% of the Mexican capital’s 21 million inhabitants receive just a handful of hours of tap supply every week, while another 20% have access to running water only for a portion of the day.
Read More: Is Mexico City approaching a concerning ‘day zero’?
