UN: World faces 40% water shortfall in just 15 years

The world could suffer a 40% shortfall in water in just 15 years unless countries dramatically change their use of the resource, a UN report has warned.

Many underground water reserves are already running low, while rainfall patterns are predicted to become more erratic with climate change.

As the world’s population grows to an expected 9bn by 2050, more groundwater will be needed for farming, industry, and personal consumption.