News

June 30, 2008

Water Shortages Approach Crisis Levels

By Sally White

Water is being kept in Asia’s headlines by China’s continuing shortage and pollution crisis. Singapore's prime minister said last week that water security may be a source of conflicts, launching an institute to research Asia's water problems. Lee Hsien Loong told international water industry companies at the start of a one-week water summit in Singapore that the provision of safe and cheap water was becoming harder. The Asian Development Bank has forecast that developing countries in Asia could face an unprecedented water crisis within a decade due to a mismanagement of resources.

"More and more …. countries see access to water as a security concern and a potential trigger of conflict," Lee said. He blamed the water scarcity on a lack of sound water management practices and called for more research and innovation in the sector. The Institute of Water Policy  will receive U$55 million  in funding over the next five years from the government, so that will not go very far.

Meanwhile, in Europe, another agricultural region is being forced to import water...