Water Security

Water security is the ability to ensure sufficient water of acceptable quality at an affordable cost to meet human, economic, and ecological needs, while minimizing associated risks (droughts, floods, pollution) over time.

Dimensions of Water Security

• Availability: continuous and accessible water volume.
• Quality: water suitable for intended uses.
• Protection against risks: resilience to extreme events.
• Sustainable ecosystem management: maintenance of environmental flows.

Composite Indicators

• National Water Security Index (NWSI):
  Σ normalized sub-indices / 4 · Optimal level ≥ 0.7
• Safe access to drinking water:
  % of population with reliable supply · Target: 100%
• Renewable water / demand ratio:
  m³ per capita per year · Target: > 1,700
• Extreme events covered by insurance:
  % of exposure insured · Target: > 80%

Spain Case Study (2024)

• NWSI = 0.63 (moderate level).
• Main gaps: water stress in the southeast, nitrate contamination in aquifers, and flood risk in Atlantic basins.

Governance for Water Security

• EU Water Framework Directive: basin plans based on balance and ecological risk.
• National Adaptation Plans: include a specific water component.
• Next Generation EU Funds: €3.4 billion allocated to network digitalisation and efficiency improvements.

Emerging Tools

• Digital twins of river basins simulating real-time supply–demand balance.
• AI-based leak detection reducing losses by 15%.
• Results-based finance: water-resilience bonds linked to performance KPIs.

Relation to Water Neutrality and Vulnerability

Strengthening water security requires reducing water vulnerability and progressing toward corporate and municipal water neutrality.

Water security is a sine qua non condition for sustainable development. Investing 1% of global GDP in infrastructure and integrated water management could ensure water security by 2030, avoiding economic losses equivalent to 5% of GDP.