Around the world freshwater demand per capita is rising substantially as countries develop economically. The level of water use also reflects the level of urbanization in a country. Low household water use in many developing countries today often reflects difficulty in obtaining freshwater. Piped water systems are rare in rural areas. Two-thirds of the world's population, the majority in developing countries, get their water from public standpipes, community wells, rivers and lakes, or rainfall collected off roofs.
Urbanization increases water use dramatically.
A century ago, most Americans obtained their freshwater from wells or public standpipes. Running water was largely unavailable to households except in big cities, and most people lived in the rural areas. In contrast, virtually every American household today has running water available, and this water costs its users very little. As the world becomes predominately urban, while agriculture depends more and more on irrigation, it will be difficult for cities to meet the rising demand for freshwater. In developing countries rapid urban growth often puts tremendous pressure on antiquated, inadequate water supply systems.