The world's growing population has an ever-increasing need for drinking water, irrigation water and water for use in industry. But this is a demand for reasonably clean fresh water, not just any form of water. And, secondly, the demand is usually greatest in areas where supply is not. Furthermore, the use made of the water often directly or indirectly endangers future supply. Industrial pollution, agriculture-related pollution, depletion of existing sources and diversion of water courses all put a strain on the availability of clean water for generations to come.
Management refers to access, but also to distribution and maintenance.
But dams and reservoirs, or laws for the protection of drinking water and disposal of waste water, do not guarantee equal and fair access to water. Nor do they automatically result in equal distribution. It is clear that what needs to be done is to cut down waste and pollution, to limit consumption and to make access universal. The question is how. Affordable drinking water is a basic human right.