Boosting water productivity.

A sustainable and secure society is one that meets its water needs without destroying the ecosystems upon which it depends or the prospects of generations yet to come. The good news is that it is possible to achieve this goal. Currently agriculture accounts for about 70 percent of world water use industry for about 22 percent and towns and municipalities for 8 percent. Opportunities to increase the efficiency of water use on farms in factories and in cities and homes have barely been tapped. Efficiency improvements alone however will not suffice. In light of population growth and rising affluence individuals have an important role to play by making responsible choices about their consumption patterns--from diets to material purchases. (excerpt)