• Populations are growing, but not evenly. Urban areas with fast economic growth see the most stress on their water supply.
• For example, California's booming tech industry has attracted many people to the area, which has, in turn, put a strain on the state's water supply.

• Globally, we use over 3,700 cubic kilometers of water per year.
• Agriculture is the biggest consumer, using nearly two-thirds of all water from rivers, lakes, and groundwater. For instance, California, a hub for agriculture, utilizes vast amounts of water for irrigation.
• Since 1960, crop irrigation has gone up by 60–70%.
• Industry and municipal sectors use about 20% and 10% of the water, respectively.
• Population growth, urbanization, and industrialization have led to an increase in water usage. A good example is the industrial boom in China, which has led to increased water consumption.

It's projected that by 2025, global freshwater availability might drop by 25% per person, compared to the 2000 figure. This would be a significant reduction, highlighting the need for water conservation and better management practices.

• Some rivers no longer reach the sea, like the Colorado river. This happens because of over-extraction for human needs.
• Many rivers are heavily polluted, such as the Ganges, Yangtze, and Hwang He rivers, making the water unsafe for consumption.
• The Rio Nuevo in California is the most polluted river of its size in the USA, contaminated with waste from agriculture, industry, and municipalities.