The world is placing more emphasis on the current condition of water supplies across the globe. Most nations are guilty of implementing poor water management and conservation techniques, leading to shortages of this critical resource in a number of locations worldwide. In 1950, the worlds population was approximately three billion, and todays population is double that number. During this same time span, the worlds water usage tripled, leaving one in three of the six billion people to live in an area with a water shortage problem. Cities around the globe experiencing spikes in population are finding that they do not have adequate water and sewage infrastructures to manage the new growth.

The worlds agriculture industries use most of the worlds available fresh water. There is room for improved water conservation in the agricultural sector, and new methods are required to ensure adequate fresh water for crops. Loss of fresh irrigation water is common in the worlds hot and dry areas, while water and soil run off is common in the more moderate growing locations.

There is a need for research into possible alternatives for safe crop irrigation water, specifically ways to process healthy non-potable water. With a growing need for more fresh water in urban areas, there is more emphasis today on finding ways to use less of this water for agricultural purposes so that the water can be diverted to urban locations. Current estimates are that the amount of water required for crops can be decreased by fifty percent.

According to the International Water Management Institute, governments in all parts of the world must realise the immediate need for preventive measures to protect the worlds water supply. This applies to all nations and includes the need to improve water and sewage infrastructures, study how tourism effects an areas water supplies, protect the worlds wetlands, research ways to prevent wasting water, determine methods to prevent water pollution, and implement new strategies to improve overall water management.

Several countries around the world have had significant population growth along with water shortages in recent years, but some of these countries have made noticeable water management improvements. With investments of billions of dollars, the governments of China, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria have contracted with water suppliers to improve their current water systems and find solutions for their countries most pronounced water management problems. The focus for the Saudi Arabian government has been the need for new water pipelines and more effective water management techniques, and the Chinese government is seeking to provide better water service to its cities and establish water treatment and recycling processes. The Algerian government is concentrating on the development of desalination plants.

Many nations have joined in the fight for saving the worlds water supply. There are years and years of mistakes to overcome, but a worldwide awareness of the fresh water problem is the beginning of finding solutions.