#water-scarcity

#water-scarcity

Since at least 2008, scientists have warned that unchecked groundwater pumping for the city and for agriculture was rapidly draining the country's aquifers. The overuse did not just deplete underground reservesit destroyed them, as the land compressed and sank irreversibly. One recent study found that Iran's central plateau, where most of the country's aquifers are located, is sinking by more than 35 centimeters each year.

Rising temperatures and growing populations are putting pressure on our freshwater supply. Many countries, including the UK, face looming shortages and possible disruptions to supply. If nothing changes, England could see a daily shortfall of 5 billion litres by 2055. To address this, the UK government is planning long-term solutions like new reservoirs to boost supply. But in the meantime, 60 percent of the expected deficit must be recovered by simply using less water.

The group, operating as the Water-AI Nexus Center of Excellence, said it is seeking to draw on the combined knowledge of its participants, working in academia, the water industry, utility sectors and tech to ensure AI growth does not come at the expense of the world's water supplies. "By maximising efficiency, eliminating unnecessary water use and investing in community-tailored solutions, we can collectively ensure that technological advancement and environmental stewardship will - and must - advance together," the group said, in a statement.

"All rivers and water sources within a 100-kilometer radius of Tehran have been depleted," according to Nasser Karami, who researches sustainable development, climate change and water management.

As I started to photograph the well, Mustapha stepped forward, instinctively leaning in to look inside. That spontaneous gesture transformed the scene completely.

The community was initially approved for construction on 29,000 acres in the early 1990s and was dreamed up as a massive project featuring thousands of homes, half a dozen golf courses and even a hotel.

"We have lived forever without enough water," said Thomas Bajada, a marine biologist and recently elected member of the European Parliament.