Clean Water Under Threat: Highlighting Emerging Pollutants in Malaysia

WATER IS THE most vital resource on Earth, covering approximately 71% of its surface. It is indispensable to the survival of all living organisms—approximately 60% of the human body is water. Agriculture, which feeds the world’s population, consumes approximately 70% of all freshwater resources.

Access to clean water is not just a fundamental human right, but also a cornerstone of public health, economic stability and social development. Driven by population growth, industrial development and agricultural needs, global water demand is expected to increase by 20% to 30% by 2050; currently, more than two billion people worldwide already lack access to safely managed drinking water services, and approximately four billion people—nearly two-thirds of the global population—experience severe water scarcity for at least one month of the year.