What is meant by "water scarcity"?

Water scarcity refers to a situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply. This can occur in various contexts, such as high population growth, increased consumption, or climate changes that impact water sources. When demand outstrips the available water resources, it leads to a situation where not everyone has adequate access to the water they need for drinking, agriculture, sanitation, and industrial purposes.

This concept has significant implications for water management and policy, as it reinforces the need for sustainable practices to manage both demand and supply effectively. Addressing water scarcity often involves strategies such as improving water use efficiency, enhancing water storage capabilities, promoting conservation efforts, and developing alternative sources like desalination or rainwater harvesting to ensure communities have sufficient access to water.

The other situations listed do not accurately define water scarcity. While high prices, pollution, or freezing can contribute to water availability issues, they do not capture the essence of the demand and supply imbalance that characterizes water scarcity.