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This story features in Unearthed: Water Security

2.7 billion

people are affected by water scarcity at least one month each year

$114 billion

the degree of investment required per year to hit the world’s sustainable development goals on water supply, sanitation and hygiene. Three times what’s actually being spent.

By 2025

half the world’s people will live in countries with high water stress

3/4 of all Americans

live within 16km (10 miles) of polluted water

20% increase in salinisation

of the world’s irrigated land area due to inefficient use of water for crop

40%

The gap expected between water demand and water availability by 2030

1/2 of the world’s hospital beds

are estimated to be occupied, at any one time, by patients with waterborne illnesses

30% of the Earth’s freshwater

is in the ground