Conservation of Water

Abstract When the ratio of water availability to demand exceeds certain limits, the stress on resources becomes noticeable, and the conflicts among users intensify and increase in frequency. A region that have water availability of about 1700 m 3 per capita/year faces periodic water scarcity, and this is considered a warning if the population continues to grow. Below this limit, “water stress” is periodic. If this limit is even lower, about 1000 m 3 per capita/year, the region is under “chronic water scarcity.” Economic development, well‐being, and health are affected at these levels. The situation is “extremely scarce” if the per capita availability is below 500 m 3 per year. Many countries that used to have plentiful water resources are facing water scarcity, that is likely to be aggravated in coming years. Water is wasted nearly everywhere; there is great potential for better conservation and management, no matter how water is used. The term water conservation is associated mainly with the policy, managerial measure, or user practice aiming at conserving or preserving water resources and taking care of the degradation of water resources; water saving aims to limit or control water demand and avoid wastage and misuse. Both perspectives are complementary and interrelated in managing scarce water resources.