Water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing issue worldwide due to population growth, urbanization, and industrial expansion . As agriculture is the largest consumer of fresh water through the need for irrigation, the growth in demand for crops and livestock, coupled with the demand for industrial processes such as energy, manufacturing, and construction, will dramatically increase water demand.u00a0

The challenge of providing drinking water and sanitation is further compounded by an inefficient infrastructure and increased levels of urbanization. Water scarcity has already led to disputes and conflicts, particularly in hot regions, and in the future could provoke more conflicts and migrations. Climate change is also exacerbating periods of water shortages, with droughts causing failed harvests and bushfires in some regions, and storms and floods damaging infrastructure in others.