Trends in Water Consumption and Its Sources of Supply in Water Stress Spaces: Case Studies

The effects of climate change predict greater variability and reduction in surface water resources, which, in addition to the increase in population in coastal areas, poses challenges in order to guarantee the supply of drinking water. This paper studies cases from Spain (Southeast and Madrid), the United States ( Los Angeles) and Australia (Sydney), which share the challenge of guaranteeing water supply to a growing population, in a context of adaptation to climate change. A study of the supply sources of each space is carried out, with data from the water distribution agencies in each space. Taking the number of inhabitants, the study shows that per capita consumption has been reduced in the three spaces, although with notable differences, being almost double in Los Angeles than in the Spanish case.