Most of us take for granted that when we turn on a faucet in our homes or businesses that clean, fresh, drinkable water will be available in a seemingly endless supply. But in the last several years, clean water has become almost a luxury in parts of the U.S. due to drought and changes in climate, while worldwide, there is too much water in some places and not enough in others.
One of every six people in the world does not have access to clean water, making this shortage responsible for more deaths worldwide than war, according to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Lack of clean water has a significant effect on public health, food supply, manufacturing and the economy. That’s why providing access to clean water is one of the NAE’s 14 Grand Challenges for engineering in the 21st century.
Read the full story in Engineering Momentum: Water: Vital for Life.