Chronic Water Stress

Chronic water stress is a persistent condition in which demand for freshwater is high relative to the amount of water that is reliably available in a region over the long term. It can result from limited rainfall, declining groundwater, intensive agricultural or industrial use, population growth, climate change, or a combination of these factors. Unlike temporary drought, chronic water stress reflects an ongoing imbalance between water supply and demand. It can increase costs for businesses, reduce agricultural productivity, constrain industrial operations and intensify competition among households, ecosystems and economic activities for limited freshwater resources.