CHAPTER 3: LIFE ON THE LINE


What’s happening here? I’m getting better… but we’re using more than ever


Although per-person water use is decreasing, total water use is increasing as a result of population growth. Asia and the Pacific now accounts for over half of the world’s water use. The good news is that thanks to technological advances, it now takes less water to generate the same economic revenue compared to 35 years ago (Figure 17; UNEP 2016).


Pollution… say it, don’t spray it


As a result of the growing population and economy, water pollution from domestic and industrial wastewater, agricultural run-off and waste landfill leachates continues to be a big problem in Asia and the Pacific. Common pollutants across the region include organics, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, dissolved salts, heavy metals, pesticides and chemicals.


Saltwater intrusion linked to coastal erosion and extensive groundwater extraction can be commonly observed in coastal areas (UNEP 2016). Sanitation


1970


Total water use in Asia and the Pacific


1500 km3


Per person water use in Asia and the pacific


Water intensity of economy


(how much water is needed to produce US$ 1)


700 m3 (equivalent to 0.56 swimming pool) 2100 km3 (equivalent to 3.1 Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia) (equivalent to 4.4 Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia) 500 m3 (equivalent to 0.4 swimming pool) 2015


35


2300 Litres


(equivalent to 23 bathtubs)


300 Litres


(equivalent to 3 bathtubs)


Figure 17: Water use trends in Asia and the Pacific. Source: UNEP 2016


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