01. Definition

What Is Water Scarcity?

Water scarcity occurs when the demand for water surpasses the available resources, or when poor water quality limits its use. It’s a problem that manifests in two primary ways: physical scarcity, where there simply isn’t enough water, and economic scarcity, where water infrastructure is insufficient to meet the needs of the population.

02. Causes

The Root Causes of Water Scarcity

The factors contributing to water scarcity are varied and complex:

Climate Change: Altered weather patterns, reduced glacial runoff, and more frequent droughts are making water less predictable and harder to manage.
Growing Population: As the global population swells, so too does the demand for water, putting immense pressure on already stressed resources.
Inefficient Water Management: Poorly managed water systems, from leaky infrastructure to wasteful agricultural practices, exacerbate the scarcity problem.
Pollution: Contaminated water sources further limit the availability of safe drinking water, adding another layer of complexity to the issue.

03. Impacts

The Far-Reaching Impacts

The consequences of water scarcity are severe and touch nearly every aspect of life:

Health Risks: Without access to clean water, diseases like cholera and typhoid thrive, particularly in regions already struggling with poverty.
Threat to Food Security:Agriculture, which consumes the majority of the world’s freshwater, is hit hard by water shortages, leading to reduced crop yields and higher food prices.
Economic Disruption: Industries reliant on water face production challenges, potentially leading to job losses and economic instability.
Social and Political Tensions: When water is scarce, competition can lead to conflicts, both within and between nations.

04. Solutions

Water scarcity solutions

Apr 2021

Hydraulic head pump

Electricity-free pumping solution for water purification in surgace water catchments

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

Jan 2021

Pumpilo®

An integrated solar water pump solution for preserving and purifying drinking water

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

Nov 2024

Use case available

Elemental Water Source

Producing a reliable supply of affordable clean water using only the sea and sun

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

Apr 2019

Altered:Nozzle Pro

An energy efficient, low flow water nozzle for public water supply

Buildings & Constructions
Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

05. Implementations

Success Stories

Elemental Water Source by Elemental Water Makers implemented by Save the Children in Hafun (Somalia) in 2023

The SunAir Fountain® by AGUA DE SOL implemented by 2D Water in Marrakesh (Morocco) in 2024

The SunAir Fountain® by AGUA DE SOL implemented by Amal Biladi Association in Aït Bourd (Morocco) in 2024

Turnkey vertical farms by Futura Gaïa implemented by Les Halles Mandar in Tarascon (France) in 2021

WaterKiosk by Boreal Light GmbH implemented by The city of Mykolaiv in Mykolaiv (Ukraine) in 2022

WaterKiosk by Boreal Light GmbH implemented by Lady Fatemah Trust Fund in Najaf (Iraq) in 2023

Shayp by Shayp implemented by Professional High School Le Balcon des Ardennes in Saint-Laurent (France) in 2021

OASIS: Multimodal Hydroactive System by Le Prieuré Vegetal i.D. implemented by L'École nationale supérieure d'art et de design in Nancy (France) in 2015

Amphore by Kumulus Water implemented by Bazma primary school in Kebili (Tunisia) in 2022

CE Green City panels by CEYES Circular Experts implemented by The Green Rangers in Amstelveen (Netherlands) in 2022

CUBàO by Quadrilater implemented by Buros town hall in Gelos (France) in 2023

CUBàO by Quadrilater implemented by Lagor town hall in Lagor (France) in 2022

CUBàO by Quadrilater implemented by Pyrénées-Atlantiques Departmental Council in Gourette (France) in 2022

CUBàO by Quadrilater implemented by Buros town hall in Buros (France) in 2024

OSMOSUN by OSMOSUN implemented by Island of Santiago in Island of Santiago (Cape Verde) in 2021

OSMOSUN by OSMOSUN implemented by Sand to Green in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region (Morocco) in 2024

06. Challenges

Overcoming the Challenges

While solutions exist, implementing them is not without challenges:

Financial Barriers: Many regions struggle with the funding needed to upgrade water infrastructure and implement new technologies.
Political Hurdles: Effective water management requires strong political will, which can be hard to come by in areas of instability.
Cultural Resistance: Sometimes, traditional practices and beliefs can slow the adoption of new water-saving technologies.
Unpredictable Climate: As climate patterns continue to shift, planning for water management becomes increasingly complex.

07. Conclusion

Final Thoughts

Water scarcity is a daunting challenge, but it’s not insurmountable. By leveraging innovative solutions, fostering strong governance, and promoting sustainable practices, we can ensure that water remains a resource for all, now and in the future. The time to act is now—because without water, there is no life.

Connect with us

Any questions

Feel free to get in touch with us
pauline.michiels@solarimpulse.com

Explorer for sustainability

Bertrand dedicates his life to demonstrate the opportunities lying in sustainable development and to raise interest in profitable solutions to protect the environment.

Pioneering vision

As a pioneer, he understood that fighting climate change with clean and efficient technologies is opening-up new industrial markets and offering a unique and profitable opportunity for economic growth.

Collaborators

The Solar Impulse Foundation has entered in close and impactful collaboration with several international institutions, corporations, states and cities around the world to facilitate the identification, assessment, funding and implementation of efficient solutions.

Supporters

The Solar Impulse Foundation is working with like-minded incubators, accelerators and organizations, creating a qualitative worldwide network to boost the adoption of efficient solutions.

The search-engine for climate action

The Explorer is a one-of-a-kind search engine that showcases profitable climate solutions from all over the world which are part of an ever-growing, curated, and publicly-accessible database.

Explore

Industrial Processes & Consumer Goods

Buildings & Construction

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

Agrifood & Natural Environment

Mobility

A label focused on both environment and profitability

Assessed by independent experts, the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label, serves as a credible marker of quality to decision-makers in business and governments.

Submit your Efficient Solution

For the first time a label assesses the economic profitability of solutions that protect the environment.
Sign up to become a Member of the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions and submit it now!

What is the Experts’ role in evaluating the Solutions?

The Experts are key in the labelling process, using their technical and professional expertise to assess and critique Solutions seeking the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label.