The issue of Water scarcity, especially potable water and of course water suitable in quality for the sustenance of aquatic lives, remains a global concern. Industrialized countries and multi-national companies operating in third world countries, are rather interested in raising the bar in terms of increased production volumes vis-a-vis profit. Less emphasis is placed on the treatment of waste effluents before discharge, reduction of the carbon footprints to acceptable limits etc.

Going forward, the United Nations and the world at large must come to terms with the need for urgent enforcement of relevant sanctions on defaulters of already existing protocols that seek to protect water resources and the environment.

There is need for the advocacy of safe waste management practices in every country. Also, third world countries should be encouraged to contruct municipal water/wastewater headworks etc. The above listed, though not exhaustive, are some of the ways the problem of Water scarcity can be addressed.

Especially in areas of water scarcity and urban areas, the need to identify and protect suitable to high quality source waters (surface and groundwaters) for drinking and other needs is important. Some land use and pollutant discharge practices can damage water quality for extended periods of time. When I get to computer with files, I will attach a document on drinking water from forests and grasslands. Identifying potential of drinking water from already protected lands with good stewardship such as national forests and conservation areas may be helpful. Water conservation and recycling continue to be important. Hopefully countries and courts can come to agreement or negotiations on water laws and rights before force or war is necessary. If water rights are taken or quantities reduced from those with existing rights to high quality waters, some form of compensation is appropriate. As suggested, treatment of Wastewater to suitable standards before discharging appropriate. Land management practices such as BMPs are important to conserve water quality. Areas with severe water deficiencies may need to find ways to import water to meet basic needs, and charge accordingly. Ways to treat impaired water quality before use and recycle may become important in some areas.

Dr Ogarekpe has discuss quite scholarly. I recommend very strongly his answer.

But the approach, I believe, must be far more aggressive. The relevant authorities in charge of municipal water generation, supply and distribution, should come up with a new threshold. The Safe Driking Water Act, the Water Quality Indexing and several other approaches meant to standardise water termed ingestable or potable should be reviewed and standardised because some local standards are neither here nor there. Example, some standards stake Nitrate at 10mg/l while others stake for as high as 50mg/l. From which range do you define potability?

The available sources of water- atmospheric, underground and surface waters can be effectively utilised more than is done now if the relevant authorities put things in their correct perspectives .

Rainwater harvesting should not only be limited to arid and semi arid regions. Even tropical regions can harvest, process and store. In shale underlain formations with rocks bereft of fractures and hence, non-prolific aquifers, rainwater harvesting can be of help. My thinking equally is that even in areas with supposed abundance of freshwater, alternatives are important should the reservoir recharge become a problem and hence, a drop in the river stage.

Constant gauging of a given river and the corresponding hydrograph plots should show in clear terms the various contributions from all the components of reservoir recharge namely ,direct precipitation, interflow, overland flow and baseflow. Water quantities authorities are supposed to monitor source bodies so as to raise alarms when there are reductions as well as to harvest and store when there are excesses. This will guard against waste

Finally, recycling of water should be promoted to ensure little or no water is wasted. When irrigation systems are designed, the end-field water should not be allowed to waste but should be taken back to the headworks for recirculation

attachment for my comment made earlier

The book named "Living with Water Scarcity" by David Zetland gives a good overview of the problem. I recommend it.