The Urgency of the Water Crisis in Asia
Across Asia, hundreds of millions of people face a grim reality in their daily lives as they struggle with an escalating clean water crisis. They turn on the tap only to find no water flowing out, or they must walk long distances just to provide water for their families. Lakes are shrinking, rivers are running dry, and groundwater levels are rapidly depleting. Even the Northeast Indian city of Sohra, nicknamed “the wettest place on Earth,” is experiencing a serious water crisis. Urgent actions are needed to address this water security emergency in Asia.
Over 75% of Asia faces water insecurity, with countries hosting more than 90% of the region’s population already confronting an imminent water crisis. Climate change is worsening the situation, with extreme weather patterns such as severe droughts and flash floods. Explosive population growth and rapid urbanization are straining the already limited sources of clean water further through overconsumption, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure.
A recent study warned that over a third of the world’s nations will be facing high or extremely high levels of water stress by 2050, and it identified Asia as the region with the most people suffering from water stress. India, Mongolia, Myanmar, and Central Asia are expected to experience the most severe water stress.
The Consequences of the Water Crisis
The consequences of the water crisis in Asia go far beyond empty taps. The absence of water for drinking, sanitation, and agriculture adversely affects human health, food security, employment, migration, and regional stability.
Deteriorating water quality causes the spread of cholera, dysentery, and other waterborne diseases, claiming millions of lives each year. Furthermore, the water crisis cripples crop production in Asia’s fertile agricultural regions, leading to food inflation and famine. In Thailand, a temperature rise of over 1 degree Celsius this year would reduce available water by 4,025 million cubic meters compared to last year, harming the agricultural sector, which relies on 80% of the country’s water, and likely raising farmers’ debts by 8%, totaling USD 2.4 billion this year.
Disputes over shared water sources have also led to conflicts between countries. For instance, the Mekong River, flowing through six Southeast Asian countries, faces threats such as hydroelectric power plant construction, primarily driven by China’s electricity needs. This has resulted in severe water shortages, particularly in the summer, impacting millions of people in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Similarly, the Indus River, crossing Pakistan and India, grapples with issues like water scarcity, pollution, and geopolitical tensions fueled by growing demands from agriculture, industry, and urbanization. Likewise, the Brahmaputra River, flowing through China, India, and Bangladesh, faces challenges such as sedimentation, flooding, and transboundary water disputes, affecting agricultural productivity, ecosystems, and human settlements in the river basin.
Even modern Asian cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore are vulnerable to the water crisis. Climate change, lack of natural supplies, and fiscal sustainability are some of the main challenges facing these urban centers. Despite their advancements in infrastructure and technology, they still encounter water management issues due to these factors.
Strategies for Addressing the Water Crisis
The water crisis in Asia is a ticking time bomb threatening the global community as a whole. However, there are several strategies that can be implemented to address this pressing issue.
Improving Infrastructure
Improving infrastructure, including reservoirs, canals, and pipelines, is crucial for maximizing efficient water usage by reducing losses, increasing storage, widening distribution, and enhancing overall management. While the initial costs are high, they yield long-term benefits. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), established in 2016, has initiated this effort, approving 15 water projects across eight countries, totaling USD 3.9 billion in investment. These projects focus on modernizing irrigation systems and enhancing water supply and sanitation. By the end of 2022, drinking water projects represent 10 percent of the Bank’s total routine financing by the number of projects and 16 percent by total financing.
Investing in waste treatment plants and water reclamation facilities will also play a key role in generating new water supplies, considering that most of Asia’s water is contaminated and discharged into natural water sources without undergoing treatment. Recycled wastewater, which may not be suitable for drinking, can be effectively reused in agriculture, landscaping, industrial processes, and groundwater replenishment. Moreover, conducting public awareness campaigns is imperative to overcome the cultural aversion to the utilization of recycled water.
Sustainable Water Management in Agriculture
Asia stands as the largest and most diverse agricultural producer globally. Consequently, the agriculture sector consumes up to 90% of the water in Asia. Hence, effective water management within this sector holds paramount importance. The adoption of enhanced irrigation techniques, such as drip systems, moisture sensors, and dry farming, can yield substantial reductions in water wastage. Additionally, prioritizing the development of drought-resistant plant varieties requiring less water is imperative. Economic incentives should be provided to encourage a transition away from water-intensive cash crops in regions facing water scarcity.
Pricing and Regulation
In many Asian countries, the cost of clean water for residential and agricultural purposes remains remarkably low, leading to extensive wasteful consumption and pollution. Implementing suitable pricing models and creating incentives for conservation, such as using tiered rates and fees for excessive use, can help curtail demand. In addition, public utilities need to address water loss, install meters, and crack down on water theft. Regulations should be strengthened to encourage water recycling, restrict private well drilling, and conserve water catchments.
Transboundary Cooperation
To address territorial disputes that can lead to continuous conflicts and threaten regional security, it’s crucial to enhance international treaties and regulatory bodies governing key waterways such as the Mekong, Indus, and Brahmaputra. Enhanced transparency can foster trust among riparian states, facilitating the development of a shared river management framework. This framework should encourage transparent infrastructure plans for transboundary rivers and the real-time exchange of year-round hydrological data, ultimately promoting basin-wide cooperation.
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Approach is Needed
There is no singular solution that can effectively tackle Asia’s water crisis. A comprehensive strategy that encompasses infrastructure improvements, technological innovation, conservation efforts, and cross-border cooperation is imperative. Several strategies have been implemented but have not yet reached optimal effectiveness. Strengthening is needed, particularly in the area of cross-border cooperation. Additionally, several other strategies remain unimplemented due to a lack of funding and insufficient human resource capacity, especially those related to infrastructure and technology.
The stark reality facing hundreds of millions across Asia, where access to clean water has become a daily struggle, demands urgent attention. From urban centers to remote regions, the severity of the crisis is evident, with communities facing empty taps and long journeys for basic water needs. We must collectively implement sustainable solutions – from infrastructure upgrades and water management strategies to innovative technologies – to secure a future where the lifeblood of Asia flows freely for generations to come.
Joint Action for Water is committed to working with communities, governments, and stakeholders to address the water crisis in Asia and beyond. By combining expertise, resources, and a shared vision, we can strive to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all.
