Confronting a World Freshwater Crisis

As demand for freshwater soars, planetary supplies are becoming unpredictable. Existing technologies could avert a global water crisis, but they must be implemented soon

The many ways we squander water, from unintentional leaks to outright negligence

Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, distills an answer to the question

Test your knowledge about water and its use

Scientific American editor Steve Ashley talks about the future of fresh water and the steps we can take to ensure that we all have potable water in the years ahead. Steve Mirsky reports

Lots of Water, but Not Always Where It Is Needed

NASA works to develop more efficient systems to convert urine and cabin condensation into potable water for long missions to the moon or Mars

Water supplies around the world are already severely stressed. Population growth and global warming will only worsen those problems

We drink it, we generate electricity with it, we soak our crops with it. And we're stretching our supplies to the breaking point. Will we have enough clean water to satisfy all the world's needs?

If the world hopes to feed its burgeoning population, irrigation must become less wasteful and more widespread