How Recycling Water Combats Climate Change in Water-Scarce Regions

By Samudrapom DamReviewed by Laura ThomsonUpdated on Feb 5 2025

Recycling water in water-scarce regions is crucial as climate change worsens and depletes freshwater supplies. Reusing treated wastewater can provide a reliable water source and reduce environmental impact. This practice supports resilience against climate disruptions and ensures sustainable water management.

Image Credit: izzet cakalli/Shutterstock.com

What are the Current Climate Trends?

Recent climate trends show a sharp rise in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events like hurricanes, heatwaves, droughts, and floods, underlining the urgent need for climate action. The continued escalation of these events highlights the growing risks associated with climate change.^1,2

The United States (US) faced 22 climate disasters in 2020, including seven linked to hurricanes and tropical storms. Similarly, 2023 was the hottest year on record, with a global average temperature of 1.4 °C above the pre-industrial 1850-1900 baseline.^1,2

Drought intensity is increasing due to less rainfall and factors such as higher soil evaporation and reduced snowpack, which lower river flow in summer and fall. In the American Southwest, climate change is making droughts 30 to 50 percent more intense.^1,2

What are the Major Climate Change Agreements?

The Paris Agreement in 2015 and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) aim to limit global temperature rise to below 2 °C, with a goal of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. Achieving this target requires a deeper understanding of the hydrological cycle and other contributing factors.^3-5

The Conferences of the Parties 26 (COP26) led to the Glasgow Climate Pact, which outlines necessary actions to combat climate change, and the Paris Rulebook, providing guidelines for implementing the Paris Agreement, including enhanced emissions transparency and international carbon market mechanisms.^3-5

COP28 marked the "beginning of the end" for fossil fuels and focused on funding for loss and damage, resilience, and nature conservation. The European Union has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050, while China, the world's largest emitter, has pledged carbon neutrality by 2060.^5,6

The IPCC's 6th Assessment Report confirmed that over half the world faces severe water scarcity, and by 2050, droughts could affect two-thirds of the global population. With proper policies and technology, emissions could be halved by 2030. Addressing water scarcity is crucial, specifically in water-scarce regions lacking sufficient resources or infrastructure.⁷

Why is Water Scarcity a Problem?

Every continent suffers from increasing water scarcity, primarily due to climate change and over-use, misuse, and abuse of water. Some common causes of water scarcity include excess groundwater tapping, polluting freshwater bodies, and excess industrialization and agriculture.^8,9

Almost four billion individuals face severe water scarcity for at least one month every year, and over two billion people live in countries with inadequate water supply. In 2025, half of the world’s population could face water scarcity, and 700 million face the risk of displacement by severe water scarcity by 2030.^8,9

Climate change-driven water scarcity has far-reaching economic and social consequences. Since 2019, their impacts have been felt particularly in agriculture, health, and economic stability, exacerbating inequalities and straining vulnerable regions.^8,9 For example, water scarcity is escalating in Central Asia. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan face severe water stress, with their water stress indexes (WSIs) steadily rising. Tajikistan experiences high water stress, while Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan exhibit moderate levels.¹⁰

Water scarcity in these regions has severely impacted the economy and society, particularly affecting agriculture, a key sector in the region. The competition for scarce water resources has intensified, fostering conflicts between user groups. Water-intensive industries have reduced operations, resulting in job losses and declining economic output.¹⁰

Socially, water scarcity has led to increased migration from rural areas to cities, contributing to urban precarity. Cities unable to handle rapid population growth face overstretched infrastructure and rising poverty rates. This is intensified by insufficient water supplies, further affecting public health and quality of life.¹⁰

There is a highly complex relationship between global development and water demand. Measures used to mitigate this crisis include limiting the water supply, recycling water, adopting desalination techniques, using wastewater treatment plants, and creating water awareness programs.^8,9

Video Credit: VICE News/YouTube.com

How Water Can Be Recycled

Recycling water is essential to address this crisis, bringing numerous potential benefits. It can be carried out in different ways, depending on the water source, the contaminants present, the scale of water availability, the economy of recycling, and the use of the utility post-recycle. Advanced water recycling methods address existing water challenges in water-scarce regions.¹¹

However, recycling water in water-scarce regions is a big challenge due to little water availability at the source. The water to be recycled has high levels of contaminants, increasing the energy used and the cost of the recycling process. On the other hand, recycling this water may still provide economic and financial benefits in these regions.¹¹

A few examples of local water recycling are:¹¹

• Using process water for cooling or heating purposes
• Collecting rainwater for gardening
• Washing and cleaning purposes
• Treating rainwater to make it potable
• Utilizing wastewater from washing machines for flushing toilets and washing cars.

Wastewater Management

In these water-scarce regions, the availability of clean water is “inextricably linked” to wastewater management, which is part of the water recycling process. Wastewater is a “gold-mine” industry in the making and seen as an “untapped” resource.¹²

Wastewater management includes reducing pollution at the source, removing contaminants from wastewater flows, reusing reclaimed water, and recovering valuable by-products.¹²

Non-conventional water resources for agricultural use are a good way to recycle water due to their high nutritional content and lack of accessible water sources. However, pre-treatment is required to avoid the spread of disease-causing agents among farmers, workers, and soil.¹²

What are the Technological Innovations in Water Management?

Recent advancements in water management technologies and policies have emerged as vital solutions to water scarcity. Innovations in water recycling, desalination, and wastewater treatment are transforming regions' management of limited water resources, with significant global projects addressing this critical challenge.^13-16

Seawater desalination, vital for arid and coastal regions, faces challenges due to high energy costs, equipment expenses, and membrane fouling from bi-valent ions. By integrating nanofiltration with technologies like reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, and membrane distillation, desalination costs can be reduced and efficiency can be improved.^13-14

Similarly, membrane technology in wastewater treatment offers efficient filtration processes to remove contaminants. This technology utilizes semipermeable membranes to separate solids, bacteria, and other pollutants from water, making it suitable for municipal and industrial applications.^13-14

Several policy initiatives have been taken to combat water scarcity. For instance, the Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in India in 2019 to provide a piped water supply to every rural household by 2024. Similarly, the World Bank-funded Atal Bhujal Yojana aims to promote community-led, sustainable groundwater management in select water-stressed states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. The scheme emphasizes scalable solutions to improve groundwater resource management in these regions.^15,16

Success Stories and Case Studies in Water Management

Israel has become a global leader in water management by using technology and innovation to overcome its water scarcity. Through projects like the National Water Carrier, desalination plants, and the development of drip irrigation, the country has successfully redistributed and conserved water. It leads the world in wastewater recycling, treating 86% of its wastewater for agricultural use.

These innovations have enabled Israel to meet its own water needs and produce a surplus, positioning the country as a pioneer in water sustainability.¹⁷

The World Bank, through its International Development Association, is effectively assisting the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan in improving water access and security in rural areas to decrease poverty and enhance the quality of life for rural populations. This involves expanding access to water in underserved communities, upgrading outdated water delivery systems, and minimizing water loss by implementing more efficient irrigation methods.¹⁸

The Future of Water Scarcity and Management

Addressing water scarcity through innovative solutions like water recycling, desalination, and efficient wastewater management is crucial for ensuring sustainable water resources, particularly in water-stressed regions.

Policy initiatives and technological advancements play key roles in combating the crisis. Success stories, such as Israel’s leadership in water management, demonstrate the potential for overcoming water challenges.

Global collaboration and continued investments in water infrastructure are essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change and secure water access for future generations.

References and Further Reading

1. Extreme Makeover: Human Activities Are Making Some Extreme Events More Frequent or Intense [Online] Available at https://science.nasa.gov/earth/climate-change/extreme-makeover-human-activities-are-making-some-extreme-events-more-frequent-or-intense/ (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
2. Climate Reports [Online] Available at https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/reports (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
3. What were the outcomes of COP26? [Online] Available at https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/what-were-the-outcomes-of-cop26/ (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
4. COP 28: What Was Achieved and What Happens Next? [Online] Available at https://unfccc.int/cop28/5-key-takeaways (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
5. COP25 climate change conference: Outcomes [Online] Available at https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2020/649324/EPRS_ATA(2020)649324_EN.pdf (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
6. China’s Route to Carbon Neutrality: Perspectives and the Role of Renewables [Online] Available at https://www.irena.org/Publications/2022/Jul/Chinas-Route-to-Carbon-Neutrality (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
7. Zheng, M (2023). 8 Key Findings from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report [Online] Available at https://earth.org/ipcc-assessment-report/ (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
8. Water Scarcity [Online] Available at https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/water-scarcity
9. Water scarcity [Online] Available at https://www.unicef.org/wash/water-scarcity (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
10.  Wang, X., Chen, Y., Fang, G., Li, Z., Liu, Y. (2022). The growing water crisis in Central Asia and the driving forces behind it. Journal of Cleaner Production, 378, 134574. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134574, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652622041464
11.  Water Reuse and Recycling [Online] Available at https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse
12.  New UN-Water report looks as wastewater as resource and not waste [Online] Available at https://www.unwater.org/news/new-un-water-report-looks-wastewater-resource-and-not-waste
13.  Azma, A., Kianfar, N., Zhang, Y. (2021). Development on sustainable water recycle, reuse and management. 3rd conference on environment, civil architecture urban development, 1-21. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348907532_Development_on_sustainable_water_recycle_reuse_and_management
14.  Bera, S. P., Godhaniya, M., Kothari, C. (2022). Emerging and advanced membrane technology for wastewater treatment: A review. Journal of Basic Microbiology, 62(3-4), 245-259. DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202100259, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jobm.202100259
15.  Jal Jeevan Mission [Online] Available at https://jaljeevanmission.gov.in/ (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
16.  Atal Bhujal Yojana (Abhy)-National Groundwater Management Improvement [Online] Available at https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P158119 (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
17.  Israel’s Water Technology and Innovation Lead to Resilience and Surplus [Online] Available at https://climateadaptationplatform.com/israels-water-technology-and-innovation-lead-to-resilience-and-surplus/ (Accessed on 08 January 2025)
18. Building a Water-Secure Future in Central Asia [Online] Available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/immersive-story/2024/09/26/building-a-water-secure-future-in-central-asia (Accessed on 08 January 2025)

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