Erratic rainfall, extreme droughts and floods, and deterioration in water quality brought on by climate change will intensify existing water stress and water allocation challenges. By 2025, absolute water scarcity will affect a projected 1.8 billion people.

Improving resilience means developing adaptive capacities in response to climate change. In the water sector this can include making efficient use of water resources. For sanitation, flood-proof toilets are essential, while actions for hygiene involves awareness-raising on health risks.

Large-scale urban population growth in the Global South and increased competition for water resources across sectors will restrict sustainable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services and flood protection for marginalized urban populations, especially those living in informal settlements.

As water becomes scarcer, utilities must emphasize efficiency. Water losses from leaking pipes, commercial losses such as malfunctioning meters, and even theft all tax an already stressed infrastructure.

Read the full article on resilience by Anna Zimmermann Jin at Skoll