Water: resources, reserves, markets

Abstract

The article summarizes and analyzes the resources, supplies and markets of the world's main natural resource, i.e. freshwater. The materials prepared and published in the article is based on the author's own analytical and field work. Resources of the high quality natural freshwater are tight: they are and will continue to be subject to ever-increasing demand. Over the last 80 years the total consumption of fresh water has increased by 10 times while the population has grown by a factor of 2.5. The present-day world economy is water-dependent. Main consumption of water is defined by the following four sectors of the global economy: agriculture, energy, industrial production and domestic water consumption. Growth in energy production and consumption is directly linked to increased water consumption. Water supply, wastewater collection and treatment are the leaders in capital gains. Privatization of the world's natural freshwater resources is underway. The task of total dependence of arid states on product supplies from the Golden Billion countries is being resolved. The main natural resource and asset of the Russian Federation, i.e. the water resources, is completely missing from the strategies and doctrines of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation.