Final answer:
Water scarcity is a major concern due to contamination, limited freshwater supplies, and uneven distribution across countries, with over a billion people lacking sufficient access to clean water, leading to millions of preventable deaths annually.
Coreect option is d) Contamination, scarcity, and unequal distribution of water
Step-by-step explanation:
Drinking water supplies are a major concern for many countries due to contamination, scarcity, and unequal distribution of water. Although water is a renewable resource, only 4 percent of the total water on Earth is freshwater, out of which 68 percent is found in glaciers. This limited supply is further compromised by water pollution, which threatens the quality of fresh water, and by the varying levels of precipitation around the globe that contribute to uneven distribution. Moreover, the growing human population and inadequate water management systems intensify the issue, resulting in a scenario where over 1 billion people worldwide do not have adequate freshwater. The situation is dire, with waterborne diseases causing nearly 2 million deaths yearly, predominantly among children under five in underdeveloped countries. It is clear that we cannot treat our water resources as infinite, and sustainable and equitable management of these resources is crucial.