Limited and decreasing freshwater sources: Freshwater is a limited resource which has
increasing competing alternative uses for it. With frequent droughts and decreasing and
irregular rainfall patterns over the years (see Figure 5 below), the need to look for alternate
water sources has become imperative. The less expensive supply options have already been
exhausted and access to new water sources involves increased incremental costs. Desalination
and recycling are emerging as the next major options to fill the widening gap between demand
and supply (Hamilton et al. 2005: 185).