Water, water, not everywhere: Former NASA hydrologist says water security issues worsening

A former NASA scientist has come to work at the University of Saskatchewan to address issues of water security and scarcity around the world.

Considered one of the leading hydrologists in the world, Jay Famiglietti was recruited to be the executive director for the Global Institute for Water Security at the U of S.

Famiglietti’s message is straightforward, even if the solutions are not: There is a water shortage problem in parts of the world that will have ramifications across the planet.

“Patterns of water availability are shifting dramatically,” he said. “And that will have a big implication, a big impact on all of us.”

Famiglietti spoke in a public lecture on Saturday as part of the USask Talks lecture series during Alumni Weekend. The lecture, titled 21st Century Freshwater Security: Is It Achievable? focused on groundwater shortages from the major aquifers around the world.

According to Famiglietti, about 20 of the 37 major groundwater sources have reached a point where they are no longer renewable, due to overuse.