I think even today it is and situation is going to worsen in future.

Until and unless concrete measure is taken,,it makes apprehension that next war may be due to water disputes.

The majority of earth's surface is water, but only a very small part which is freshwater naturally. What we humans have to do is to better our technological capability and bring nature to our service, we desalinate sea water which is very abundant and use it, instead of fighting on a river or suffering from lack of water in general. For instance instead of wasting huge amount of wealth and resources for weapon formation, the human society could have been better to utilize that money for developing useful technologies for such purposes.

Creativity, science and technology should enable humans to solve this problem.

Yeah..! I think it could be an issue due to the usage of tap water in developed countries. Because it meets drinking water quality standards..

Many scientists presume that the third World War may be initiated due to conflicts for right on potable resources of WATER!

It already is a major issue in the USA and especially California.

Hello,

Mark Twain once said, " water is for fighting over" and it seems that his prophecy is becoming very serious these days. the Earth's population has more than doubled over the last 50 years and the demand for fresh water has risen along with it. Notably, the sources of water including rainfall, rivers, streams, etc. are being dried up. Alternatively, global warming has dramatically changed weather patterns, and the number of people lacking access to water has increased to an alarming level as water shortages are becoming a reality more than ever before. As such, many believe that wars in the present century will mostly be over water scarcity and the concerned search groups contend that the prospect of water wars is becoming increasingly likely.  Evidently, perceived fears of losing control over shared water might trigger the preparedness to go to war among countries which are feeling the unpleasant consequences of water shortage for both drinking and growing food. Therefore, instead of dismissal of any possibility of war over water shortage calling it a myth, water professionals should find practical ways of uprooting the root causes of the fears associated with the likelihood of water wars.

Best regards,

R. Biria

Yes water was ,it is and it will remain the major natural source

It is already a major issue in the the middle east.

Yes water is a major issue, as far as natural resources is concerned. This will continued to be do so, unless & until the issue is seriously addressed by all cross section of people. The amount of water available on the earth's surface is constant. We have to depend on this limited resource. Ever increasing population growth; industrialization; agriculture and urbanization; are not only creating scarcity in terms of water availability / head; but these developments are also causing pollution to the already available very limited fresh water, there by causing increased scarcity of fresh water. So, the solution to this water scarcity problem is water conservation & management. One of the famous management strategies is REDUCE the consumption (domestic / industrial / irrigation); RECYCLE ; REUSE & RECHARGE. Though desalinization is an option, it is economically not feasible in many places and there is a need to develop low cost technology .

Some of the strategies towards water conservation and management are as follows:

1. Reduce the consumption through water efficient appliances.

2. Recycle and reuse of the gray water to better utilize the waste water.

3. Artificial groundwater recharge to enhance groundwater potential.

4. Micro irrigation - more crop for every drop of water (drip or sprinkler irrigation)

5. On-site water quality management (Effluent treatment plants; proper sanitation)

6. Need or demand based water supply (not supply based developments)

7. Roof top rain water harvesting to conserve & manage the rainwater.

8. Creating public awareness & Public participation.

Yes, water will be the major natural resource issue of the 21st century.

Please read a good article on this topic:

Water Scarcity in the Twenty-First Century

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233643861_Water_Scarcity_in_the_Twenty-First_Century

Good wishes

Yes, it might be a "wake-up" call?

"There is an urgent need to focus the attention of both professionals and policy makers on the problems of groundwater depletion which must be seen as the major threat to food security in the coming century".

We have to find out solutions to overcome the problem - What are those measures?

Let, researchers start a discussion on this topic.

Regards to all

I think Dr. Prasad gave an excellent outline of solution for water conservation in above. Policy maker can play a vital role regarding this issue.

Dear Prosanta - Yes, the points mentioned by Dr.Prasad are important towards conservation and management of water resources. Thanks

the water is the major problem in all countries. it must be think to use anther source of water surface such as ground water with treatment.

Water will be always there. It's a cyclic process. The major issue will be on potable water.

Portable water will be a major problem

So, the main problem is energy (Dr.Kenneth). The potable water can be arranged through desalination (example, Israel), but for that huge energy is required. The renewable sources can solve the problem?

Regards

I would definitely say yes...

I have completed my M.Sc. in 1991....at that time during one of our hydro-geology class we happened to discuss about Water Wars by 2020 in the world.

I don't have much idea about other countries but in India ...already we are seeing it every where. My newly formed state of Telangana is having fight with A.P. state, Karnataka with Tamilnadu....Maharastra with Karnataka....many like that in sharing water resources.

unfortunately.....no scientist has ever created an alternative to water.

just like they have created for minerals, vitamins food...etc.

Let us see what people are going to do...who right now are not realizing the importance of water and not giving as much importance as it should be given to replenish it.

Not only water but all we have to think about all natural resources. Sustainable use of all will helps to survive our future generations.

I think water is an artificial problem, not a real problem. It is just about how we use it.

Yes

No, I do not think so.

I think the food will be the major problem.

Regarding feeding over growing population agree with Kenneth Sir but for long lasting of ecology we need to conserve every natural resources.

You may read one article:

"Water Scarcity and Food Import: A Case Study for Southern Mediterranean Countries" Article Water Scarcity and Food Import: A Case Study for Southern Me...

Regards

yes

Yes, I think water will be one of the major issues of the 21st centuryز

Sure water will be the major natural resource issue of the 21st century for the most of countries.

Not only water, fossil fuels will also be the concern for this generation.

Yes it will be.

Yes but by 40%

No one can decide the unseen

God's mercy is wide .... There is nothing fixed