The Stockholm International Water Institute, the organizers of the recent World Water Week, presented updated global and regional water-related statistics for attendees in the hopes of detecting emerging trends and isolating patterns that may affect world water supplies. The following are some of the most current - and unusual statistics presented:
  • A child born in the developed world uses as much as 50% more water than a child born in the developing world.

  • Less than 1% of the world’s fresh water is readily accessible for human use.

  • The amount of water being used around the world has tripled in the past 50 years.

  • The amount of water used by 2025 will increase by 50% in developing countries and 18% in developed countries.

  • India, China, United States, Pakistan and Japan are the five largest water users in volume.

  • In the next 20 years, nearly half the people in the will live in areas of high water stress, meaning water is either scarce, unsanitary or lacking delivery infrastructure.

“Water sewage concerns were also discussed,” said Waterless Co. Founder and Chief Executive OfficerKlaus Reichardt, a leading advocate for water conservation.

“Chemicals such as pesticides, flame retardants, steroids and hormones from birth-control pills have resulted in ‘gender-bender’ fish in rivers and lakes all over the world. This is a rather new development.”

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