What to avoid

• Growth in the world’s population and increased urbanization : Increased population and urbanization (both of which are expected to continue), and the failure of governments to instill a sense of urgency for water conservation practices, have led to overuse of natural water systems .
• Global weather patterns : Increased droughts are having a dramatic effect on municipal water systems that rely on surface-based water sources .
• Competition for water resources : Water demands for other uses (agricultural, industrial) reduce available supplies for drinking water.

Paths that reduce water safety

• Aging water infrastructure : In many modern cities, municipal water systems have become worn out, and governments cannot finance the massive cost of replacement. This has led to privatization of many water facilities, leading to cost increases necessary to recoup the rebuilding investment.
• Natural disasters : Hurricanes and floods have led to contamination of many water systems .
• Industrial pollution : This is one of the main sources of contamination for many water systems .