Final answer:
Southwest Asian states counter water scarcity via desalination, diversion for agriculture, and tapping underground aquifers, amidst challenges such as depletion risks, international conflicts, and pollution.
Step-by-step explanation:
States in Southwest Asia address the challenge of water scarcity through various methods, including the desalination of seawater, which is extensively used in oil-rich states such as those on the Arabian Peninsula. Desalination is an expensive but necessary process to meet fresh water demands for growing populations.
Another approach has been the controversial diversion of water for agricultural use from rivers, as seen in Turkestan, which has led to environmental challenges, such as the depletion of the Aral Sea. Many countries face extreme risks of water shortages, which could escalate into internal and international conflicts, as water is crucial not only for consumption but also for agricultural and industrial purposes.
Furthermore, countries tap into underground aquifers, although this is a finite resource that will eventually be depleted, adding to the urgency of finding sustainable water solutions. This is evident in regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, where underwater reserves are used to supplement scarce water supplies. Environmental issues, such as pollution from industrial wastes and agricultural runoff, exacerbate the water crisis by contaminating available water sources.