For daily living, water is one of our most important resources. It serves many purposes, and without access to clean drinking water, people risk dying from dehydration or disease.
Various processes, such as cleaning water to make it safe to drink, providing water for sanitation purposes and even reusing and recycling water, come at a cost. Water is expensive to get people to pay for because there is so little of it.
However, despite it being a basic need, the cost of water has become quite expensive. Since each country has their own prices when it comes to its water rates, you can discover more by reading further on the global pricing models.
Water Prices in The UK
When staying in the UK, depending on the area that you live in, the availability of water in your region and even the size of your region affects the price of water.
In England and Wales, the price rates differ between the regions. Most people are charged for the year, while some have a water metre installed and pay these accounts monthly.
Follow along as we delve into the top 10 factors that affect the cost of water globally
1. Poverty
Poorer communities struggle to afford clean water and other basic resources due to unemployment and lack of proper infrastructure for water and sanitation purposes. People can get stuck in a cycle of poverty that never ends if they don’t have access to basic services like clean water and sanitation.
2. Climate Change
Climate change contributes to factors such as drought and soil degradation in the hottest areas in the world. This can lead to water scarcity and increased costs for accessing and treating water.
3. Waste Water
It relates to contaminated water that is usually made up of contaminated human waste and other chemicals, and therefore unfit for human consumption. If an area lacks proper removal facilities or infrastructure to separate wastewater from clean water, this can contaminate all available water resources. This can lead to increased costs for treating and cleaning the water to make it safe for consumption.
4. War and Conflict
During war and conflict, resources may be held hostage or destroyed, posing a health threat to those affected by the violence. This can lead to increased costs for accessing clean water and rebuilding infrastructure.
5. Natural Disasters
Natural disasters such as floods can destroy infrastructure and contaminate clean water, leading to increased costs for rebuilding and purification processes. This can also lead to temporary water scarcity and increased costs for accessing clean water.
6. Water Waste
Wasting clean water through actions such as not fixing leaking pipes or using too much water unnecessarily can lead to increased costs for disposal and treatment. This can also contribute to water scarcity and increased costs for accessing clean water.
7. Difficulty in Sharing Water Sources Internationally
Groundwater, lakes, and rivers are sometimes shared across two or more countries, leading to potential conflicts over equal access to the resource. This can lead to increased costs for accessing clean water if one country restricts access or charges higher prices for the shared resource.
8. No Water Data
Not keeping track of safe water to use and consume through regular health tests can lead to health risks and deaths. This can also lead to increased costs for treating contaminated water or providing alternative sources of clean water.
9. Lack of Infrastructure
Rural areas often lack the necessary infrastructure to distribute clean water to those living on the outskirts of cities. This can lead to increased costs for accessing clean water as individuals may need to travel long distances or pay higher prices for delivery.
10. Industrial and Agricultural Pollution
Industrial and agricultural activities can release pollutants such as heavy metals, organic chemicals, oil, and sediments into water sources. These pollutants can degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems. Efforts to reduce industrial and agricultural pollution through regulation and improved practices can help improve water quality.
Conclusion
Saving water and limiting wastage can help save money on water bills while also providing access to clean water for others. Knowing the global factors that affect the price of water allows individuals to make more informed decisions about their water consumption and their impact on global water resources.