WWF water quality report highlights future problems

A new report into water quality and wastewater provisions has highlighted the danger of shortages in urban areas in the next century.

The study conducted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has indicated that 70 per cent of the world's population will live in cities by 2050 and many could struggle to find clean drinking water and sanitary conditions.

As part of the research, the WWF looked at a number of conurbations in 2011 and found that issues are already arising.

It stated that in the Pakistan city of Karachi, 80 per cent of untreated wastewater is dumped into the Arabian Sea, while 60 per cent of Nairobi inhabitants are forced to pay for expensive water from kiosks.

Head of freshwater at WWF Germany Martin Geiger believes action needs to be taken now to minimise problems in the future.

"As well as reducing unnecessary consumption, successful water and wastewater management is also essential to support agriculture," he remarked.

Technology aimed at boosting drinking water quality is being discussed in Stockholm as part of World Water Week, which started on August 21st.

Posted by Joseph Hutton