Drought is no longer a problem limited to distant, arid regions. Today, it is visible everywhere: rivers running dry, farmland parched, and cities struggling to maintain their drinking water supplies. From the Americas to Asia, and from Europe to Africa, water security is no longer a given—it has become a top priority.
Climate change accelerates the water crisis
The world is warming, and this has a direct impact on our water systems. Higher temperatures alter rainfall patterns and cause water to evaporate faster. Extended droughts now alternate rapidly with intense rainstorms. At the same time, glaciers—normally a vital water source for millions—are melting at unprecedented rates. The result? Less freshwater is available, just as global demand continues to rise.
In recent years, we have witnessed a series of record-breaking droughts. Major rivers such as the Colorado in the U.S. and the Po in Italy have dropped to historic lows. In Asia and Africa, extreme heat and lack of rainfall have destroyed up to half of some harvests. In Europe, nearly 40% of agricultural land was under drought warning in the spring of 2025.
Drought is no longer an exceptional occurrence—it is the new reality. To understand the impact even better, we present a concise infographic below with some key global figures.
How is drought affecting your region?
Recent studies, including the OECD’s Global Drought Outlook (2025), show that the global land area affected by drought has doubled since 1900. But what about your region? We provide a brief overview on the left.
Want to learn more? The World Resources Institute provides extensive data through its independent research.
Explore their Aqueduct tool here: Aqueduct Tools | World Resources Institute
Water stress: a growing risk for people and the economy
There is a major imbalance between supply and demand. Water stress is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate. In addition to climate change, population growth, industrial development, and urbanization are placing further pressure on natural water reserves.
Today, more than 2 billion people already face shortages of clean drinking water. For them, it is a daily challenge—but the industry is increasingly feeling the effects as well.
On top of that, water scarcity poses a geopolitical risk. Many river basins cross national borders, yet only a fraction are managed collaboratively. A lack of cooperation raises the risk of tensions between countries.
Smart water management for businesses
Drought affects not only households but also businesses and entire economies.
Water-intensive sectors such as food, chemicals, textiles, energy, and data centers face production stoppages, quality loss, and rising costs. In Europe, industry accounts for roughly 50% of total water use, underlining the need for more efficient and independent water management. Where connecting to the local water network was once a given, companies now increasingly ask: How can we use water more consciously? How can we reduce consumption? What can we reuse locally?
This presents a significant challenge—but also an opportunity. Companies that invest in sustainable solutions today can operate more independently and resiliently tomorrow.
Circular water management as a solution
The demand for efficient, future-oriented solutions is growing. Innovations in water treatment and wastewater reuse are becoming increasingly important. Whereas traditional systems often rely on large volumes of fresh water, modern circular approaches—such as Water-as-a-Service—enable local and efficient reuse of existing water streams.
Through circular water management, companies reduce their reliance on scarce resources while strengthening their sustainability profile.
Want to learn how your company can become less dependent on scarce water resources?
Contact us at info@ekopakwater.com
Sources
Aqueduct Tools | World Resources Institute
25 Countries Face Extremely High Water Stress | World Resources Institute
United Nations World Water Development Report 2023
EDO European Drought Observatory
Po river drought in 2022 was the worst of the last two centuries