What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?

Water scarcity or water stress occurs when water availability is not enough to match the demand for water. It is caused by an increase in population, growing demand for water, and unequal access to it.

The shortage of water, as compared to its demand, is called water scarcity.  

According to Falken Mark, a Swedish Expert, water scarcity occurs when the water availability is less than 1000 m³ per person per day.

Causes of Scarcity :  

(a) Low rainfall  

(b) water scarcity occurs in drought-prone areas 

(c) variation in seasonal rainfall  

(d) over-exploitation of water  

(e) excessive use of water  

(f) unequal access to water  

(g) Great demand due to growing population.