2016 ICM
Problem E
Are we heading towards a thirsty planet?
Will the world run out of clean water? According to the United Nations, 1.6 billion people (one
quarter of the world's population) experience water scarcity. Water use has been growing at twice
the rate of population over the last century. Humans require water resources for industrial,
agricultural, and residential purposes. There are two primary causes for water scarcity: physical
scarcity and economic scarcity. Physical scarcity is where there is inadequate water in a region to
meet demand. Economic scarcity is where water exists but poor management and lack of
infrastructure limits the availability of clean water. Many scientists see this water scarcity
problem becoming exacerbated with climate change and population increase. The fact that water
use is increasing at twice the rate of population suggests that there is another cause of scarcity – is
it increasing rates of personal consumption, or increasing rates of industrial consumption, or
increasing pollution which depletes the supply of fresh water, or what? **
Is it possible to provide clean fresh water to all? The supply of water must take into account the
physical availability of water (e.g., natural water source, technological advances such as
desalination plants or rainwater harvesting techniques). Understanding water availability is an
inherently interdisciplinary problem. One must not only understand the environmental constraints
on water supply, but also how social factors influence availability and distribution of clean water.
For example, lack of adequate sanitation can cause a decrease in water quality. Human population
increase also places increased burden on the water supply within a region. When analyzing issues
of water scarcity, the following types of questions must be considered. How have humans
historically exacerbated or alleviated water scarcity? What are the geological, topographical, and
ecological reasons for water scarcity, and how can we accurately predict future water availability?
What is the potential for new or alternate sources of water (for example, desalinization plants,
water harvesting techniques or undiscovered aquifers)? What are the demographic and health
related problems tied to water scarcity?
Problem Statement
The International Clean water Movement (ICM) wants your team to help them solve the world’s
water problems. Can you help improve access to clean, fresh water?
Task 1: Develop a model that provides a measure of the ability of a region to provide clean water
to meet the needs of its population. You may need to consider the dynamic nature of the factors
that affect both supply and demand in your modeling process.
Task 2: Using the UN water scarcity map (
) pick one country or region where water is either heavily or
moderately overloaded. Explain why and how water is scarce in that region. Make sure to
explain both the social and environmental drivers by addressing physical and/or economic
scarcity.
Task 3: In your chosen region from Task 2, use your model from Task 1 to show what the water
situation will be in 15 years. How does this situation impact the lives of citizens of this region?
Be sure to incorporate the environmental drivers’ effects on the model components.
Task 4: For your chosen region, design an intervention pl