Facilities Manager's Desk Reference, 3rd Edition

22Water Supplies and Water Safety

22.1 Introduction

The 1992 Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development identified that water is a critical resource to the planet and human life. The Dublin Principles remain the standard for water resource use and protection. Water resources are under increasing pressure from climate change, population growth and the need to protect the environment. There is a global need to reduce per capita consumption. The expected increase in the world population of up to 10 billion people will reduce the available freshwater resources by half by 2050. Just 1% of the water in the world is drinking water. Water is still consumed in developed countries with disregard for its unpredictable supply, despite its critical status. Furthermore, in the UK:

• People use 70% more water as individuals than 30 years ago.
• Leaks in distribution systems are significant and increasing.
• Rainfalls in the UK in recent years have been the lowest for 90 years.
• Water usage has doubled in the past 25 years.

The supply of water in the UK is the third most expensive in the world. Costs are expected to rise even more and therefore there is an increased focus on and interest in water management in businesses. The UK has less available water per person than most other European countries. London is drier than Istanbul, and the South East of England has less water available per person than some African countries. Climate change, population increases and changes in lifestyle ...