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

Sep 2020

MUD Circular Jeans

Reclamation of old jeans at the end of life and upcycling into new clothes

Industrial Processes & Consumer Goods
Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

Jan 2021

Use case available

Sunlight Pump

Solar-powered water pump for smallholder farmers and communities

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)
Agrifood & Natural Environment

Jun 2025

Use case available

LM INNOVATION technology

An autonomous, unalterable and consumable-free technology that naturally improves water quality

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)
Agrifood & Natural Environment

Feb 2021

Polyter Gr

A natural and biodegradable technology for the improvement of water and soil management

Agrifood & Natural Environment
Buildings & Constructions

05. Implementations

Success Stories

Sunlight Pump by ennos implemented by Pyflor farm in Valle de Ángeles (Honduras) in 2017

LM INNOVATION technology by LM Innovation implemented by Astredhor Sud Ouest - France in Bordeaux (France) in 2023

ALTRA PROVEN WATER TECHNOLOGY by Sanexen implemented by City of Toronto in Toronto (Canada) in 2019

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

Pump&Drink by Sotrad Water implemented by Ministère de l'Eau et de l'Hydraulique Villageoise + UNICEF in Dapaong (Togo) 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

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

Waterless Urinal by URIMAT Schweiz AG implemented by McDonald's in Zurich (Switzerland) in 2002

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

AI for high-efficiency Water Networks by Altereo implemented by Grand Annecy in Annecy (France) in 2022

CO2 treatment for limestone by Ecobulles implemented by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas in Vineuil (France) in 2017

Hydraloop by Hydraloop Systems BV implemented by Upgrade Real Estate in Ghent (Belgium) in 2022

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.