Europe faces a growing water crisis
Despite its rainy reputation, Europe is confronting an urgent water scarcity problem. Even the UK, long considered safe from shortages, now faces dwindling supplies due to rising temperatures, less rainfall, and increasing demand. Reservoirs that once brimmed with water are running low, forcing restrictions on millions of households. Experts warn that mismanagement, outdated infrastructure, and climate change are intensifying the crisis across the continent. Germany is already experiencing historic low river levels, while in southern Europe, up to 70% of people face water shortages during the summer months. Spain, heavily reliant on agriculture and tourism, saw nearly 9 million residents under water restrictions in 2023.
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Lessons from Cape Town’s near “Day Zero”
Water scarcity is not unique to Europe. Cape Town, South Africa, nearly became the first major city to run out of water in 2018 after three years of drought. Locals were limited to just 50 liters per day—barely enough for basic needs—while the city lost $400 million in economic damage. Yet, through strict restrictions, fixing leaks, reducing water pressure, and updating long-term strategies, Cape Town managed to avoid disaster. Community-led efforts, such as restoring catchment areas and removing invasive plants, also played a role. Experts caution, however, that these solutions must be backed by political will and long-term investment. Acting only after crisis strikes is costly and disruptive.
Building a resilient water future
Globally, only 1% of freshwater is easily accessible, and agriculture consumes the majority of it. As climate change accelerates, securing clean water will require smarter management and infrastructure upgrades. In England and Wales, for example, leaking pipes wasted a trillion liters of water in 2023 alone. Building new reservoirs, repairing old pipelines, and enforcing EU legislation to protect rivers and aquifers by 2027 are critical steps forward. Experts agree that efficient water use, international cooperation, and conscious awareness of how we value water will be essential to protecting supplies for future generations. Water scarcity is not just an environmental issue—it’s an economic, social, and global challenge.
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This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.