Causes of Water Pollution This article is available in: English Afrikaans Sotho Zulu. Urbanisation. As more and more people move into cities and towns, a number. Water Wise – Causes of Water Pollution Share 663 million people – 1 in 10 – lack access to safe water.1 2.4 billion people – 1 in 3 – lack access to a toilet.1. Twice the population of the United States lives without access to safe water.1,2 1/3 of the global population lives without access to a toilet.1,2. More people have a mobile phone than a toilet.1,3. The water crisis is the #1 global risk based on impact to society (as a measure of devastation as announced by the World Economic Forum in January 2015. 4 Resource Links, look for more facts in our collection of Water.The Great Lakes also provides water to residents in Thunder Bay, Port Hope, Sault St Marie, Niagara and many…