Final answer:
The discrepancy between the availability of clean drinking water and areas where water resources are depleting represents a normative need, which highlights the challenges in securing equal access to water for all and suggests the importance of water sustainability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gap between freely available, clean drinking water as a standard need and the reality where water resources are fast depleting in some areas, leading to insufficient water supply for basic needs, is an example of a normative need. A normative need is defined by experts or professionals in a given field who establish a minimum set of standards for living; in this case, having enough clean water to meet health and survival needs. This contrasts with areas where water is abundant and easily accessible by simply opening a tap, highlighting the critical issue of unequal distribution of water resources globally. As the population increases and climate change affects water supplies, addressing this gap in water access becomes ever more critical for sustainable living and public health.
Countries with more wealth are often able to develop their water infrastructure, securing access to clean water from deep wells and large dams. However, people in poorer nations may have to rely on scarce resources, making the task of obtaining water more challenging. This discrepancy in water access is not just a matter of convenience but is also linked to the constant battle against waterborne diseases in regions where water sanitation and clean supplies are not adequate, demonstrating the importance of sustainable water management.