While 70 percent of the world’s surface is covered by water, it is estimated that only 1 percent of those total water resources is available for human use. Currently, between 500 million and 2 billion people are living in conditions of water stress. It is estimated that this number will rise to about 5.5 billion people by 2025.
Meanwhile, experts expect water use to increase by 22 percent over the next two decades.
These numbers should scare us all.
The business community has a responsibility to address the growing global challenges posed by water scarcity and water quality—both because water-related risks are significant for business and because we take our social responsibility seriously. Eight percent of U.S. energy demand is used to treat, pump and heat water. American businesses help confront the worldwide water crisis in the same ways we address energy efficiency: by bringing innovation and management discipline to reduce each company's water footprint and to maximize business opportunities to deliver enhanced quality and quantity of water.