Water scarcity is a global concern. Water covers approximately 70% of the Earth's surface; however, only 1% of available water is sufficient for human consumption. Earth's limited water resources must be distributed and shared for agricultural, domestic, commercial, industrial and environmental needs. This means that managing the supply and how water is dispersed is critical to the continuation of our planet and life as we know it. The most important natural resource and its availability is one of the major issues facing the United States and all other countries in the world. Water is vital to the survival of every living organism on the planet. Unusable water on the planet is salt water found in the oceans, fresh water frozen in the polar ice caps, or is too inaccessible for practical use by humans (thewaterproject.org). Demand for fresh water has steadily increased at twice the rate of population growth in countries around the world, while supply has remained the same. . This means that humans consume much more water than the planet can provide. Water scarcity is one of the worst problems facing society today. An increasing number of regions across the planet are continually facing water shortages. Water scarcity can be linked to both a natural and man-made phenomenon (www.un.org). There is currently enough fresh, consumable water on the planet to support seven billion people. However, at the current rate at which it is distributed, wasted and stored, there will be even less left for future generations. The Water Project has shown that independent researchers claim that Lake Mead, which currently supplies water to 22 million people. .... half the paper ...... and perseverance, saving water is possible and achievable. The severity of water shortages is not evident in most regions of the country or the globe. People are unaware of the true consequences of failing to protect and conserve our natural resources. Works Cited “Freshwater Crisis.” National geographic. National Geographic and Web. June 15, 2014. Np, nd Web. June 15, 2014. Snyder, Shannyn. “Water Scarcity: The U.S. Connection.” Np, nd Web. June 19, 2014."Water Scarcity: Tomorrow's Problem." University of Michigan. University of Michigan, nd Web. June 17, 2014."Water Supply in the United States" EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency, nd Web. June 15, 2014. Wyler, Grace. “Across the United States, the risks of a water crisis are much greater than we think.” NP, May 22, 2013. Web. June 14 2014.