As stated, human pollution effects water resource, but also the general effect of a growing population puts a strain on water resources. As it is expected the world population will grow over 7 billon people in next years a problem becomes apparent. This rising population also wants to use and consume water, which will make the risk of running out of water in cities not a problem of a few occasions, but permanent predicament. Which will affect cities all over the world and not only a few low-income cities. 

With the global consumption of water already increasing 6 times the demand it was a century ago and the expectation that it will increase another 20 to 30 percent in the next years. Water consumption patterns have to be shifted to prevent a collapse of water resources. As water access is vital for healthy and growing society and a lack in water could hinder their economic grow of some region. 

One of the main social factors why water shortages appear, is the undervaluing of this resource and the oversight to use it efficiently. Most areas treat water as an infinite and abundant resource which prevents assessment of mature leaks in most water supplies. With the surprising fact that more water is wasted in water scarce areas, then in areas with enough water. As most water scared countries give no incentive or education to their population on how to safe water. This generates a lack of water in mostly rural areas.

This strain on water in rural areas catalyst more migration to cities, which puts pressure on cities to grow even larger to accompany more and more people. With most of these bigger cities lacking behind in water treatment or don’t even have any facilities to treat their water, more wastewater gets generated. 

Water treatment is more neglected as poorer the region is, which mostly are the regions who need it the most. With only 8 % of wastewater is treated in these low-income countries, water shortage in these regions is to be expected in the next years.

But not only water treatment would benefit cities and their inhabitants, a restoration of natural water bodies like pond, creeks, and lakes, would improve biodiversity and enhance the quality of life in inner cities.These new ways of water treatment and circular city design won’t only improve living quality, but also will create new job opportunities for people in urban areas. [3,6,9]