But today, its overexploitation and pollution present challenges for the environment, economies and global living standards.
These issues are addressed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the annual World Water Week, which runs from 26–31 August 2018 in Stockholm.
Organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute, the week-long forum promotes collaborative action to help solve the looming water crisis.
As a participant at the conference, the European Space Agency (ESA) is co-convening a session on the use of Big Data and Earth observation for the monitoring of SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation).
"World Water Week is the ideal occasion to share information about an increasingly scarce resource while we continue working with our satellite data users to develop sustainable water-use practices through innovative projects," says Benjamin Koetz, a scientist who develops new applications for ESA’s Earth Observation Programme directorate.
Responding to the pressing need for water information in African countries, ESA’s TIGER and Earth Observation for Sustainable Development (EO4SD) initiatives are supporting national and cross-border water authorities in using satellite data to manage water supplies.
GlobWetland is another example of ESA’s contribution to the SDGs.
This project includes the development of a Global Wetlands Observing System and the use of satellite-based information to measure the ecological state of wetlands in Africa.
These are just a few of the ESA projects that are helping to conserve water and fulfil the related SDGs.
By assisting water authorities, UN agencies, development banks and scientists to identify potential trouble spots, ESA helps to mitigate the effects of climate change while striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.