Water security

The aim of water security is to make the most of water's benefits for humans and ecosystems. The second aim is to limit the risks of destructive impacts of water to an acceptable level. These risks include for example too much water (flood), too little water (drought and water scarcity) or poor quality (polluted) water. People who live with a high level of water security always have access to "an acceptable quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods and production". For example, access to WASH services (water, sanitation and hygiene) is one component of water security. Some organizations use the term water security more narrowly for water supply aspects only. Policymakers and water managers seek to achieve water security outcomes that address economic, environmental and social equity concerns. These outcomes can include increasing economic welfare, enhancing social equity and reducing water related risks. There are interactions and trade-offs between the different outcomes. Planners often consider water security outcomes for different groups in society when they design climate change adaptation strategies. Three main factors determine how difficult or easy it is for a society to sustain its water security: the hydrologic environment, the socio-economic environment and changes in the future environment. This last is mainly due to climate change. Policymakers and water managers usually manage water security risks at different scales. These range from the household to community, city, basin, country and region. The absence of water security is water insecurity. Water insecurity is a growing threat to societies. The main factors contributing to water insecurity are water scarcity, water pollution, reduced water quality due to climate change impacts, poverty, destructive forces of water, and disasters that steam from natural hazards. Climate change affects water security in many ways. Changing rainfall patterns, specifically droughts, can have a big impact on water availability. Flooding can worsen water quality.