Water is a crucial aspect of our lives. We use it not just for drinking and washing but also for industry, agriculture and making almost any kind of product, from hamburgers and tin cans to newspapers and cars. Our demand for water has grown to the point that the natural water cycle can no longer keep up. Pollution - mainly caused by sewage leaks and chemical discharges - has made clean water a rare and valuable commodity. Climate change may also contribute to making water more scarce.
A sufficient supply of clean water is essential to the health of people and the environment. In countries where water is scarce and where existing supplies are often contaminated by bacteria or pollution, effective treatment and distribution is literally a matter of life and death.