2011 Water, Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability - WITS Conference

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In the past fifty years the global population has doubled, however, demand for water has expanded three times. Water is a resource that is essential for economic development and survival in the developed, emerging and developing economies. As stated by Fortune magazine (May 15, 2005) "Water promises to be to the 21st century what oil was to the 20th century: the precious commodity that determines the wealth of nations". Water is the most common commodity on earth, however, 97% of it is seawater, 2% is found in glaciers, ice, and snow and only 1% is actually available. Thus, water resources are rapidly becoming a determinant of a country's competitive advantages in a globalized economy.

In the near future, more than ever, technology and innovation will play a major role in reducing water stress around the globe and in increasing the productivity and efficiency of water use. Today, the "water footprint" is a major concern for a number of companies, cities and nations . Although different nations, depending on their level of economic & social development, face different levels of water stress, it is clear that innovation and technology play a major role in addressing their water issues.

Currently and in the future, water management will play a vital role in countries' economies and their multiple uses of water, from manufacturing, health care, agriculture, mining, and energy production, to urban center development. New technologies may lead to increases in the productivity of water usage, reuse of industrial and wastewater, water-conservation, and desalinization, as well as other technological and innovative impacts. These innovative and technical solutions for water will involve many different approaches that will have to be developed to fit the needs of different economic and business environments.