Whether economical, environmentally, or socially, there is no greater threat to national and international security or individual quality of life than scarcity of water. Water distribution systems extend over vast areas and are therefore vulnerable to a wide array of risks. These dangers are many ― from increasing global populations to anthropogenic (man-made), natural, and technological hazards. Disruption of water supplies can threaten the delivery of vital human services, endanger public health and the environment, cause mass casualties, and threaten population sustainability, social stability, and national and homeland security. Devising concepts and countermeasures to protect water supplies will assist the public, policy makers, and planners at all levels of government to develop solutions for national and international water security and sustainability issues.
A cooperative and concerted effort between policy makers, planners, managers, the public, science agencies, law enforcement, and security and intelligence agencies are required to develop solutions to water-security threats. From supply and sustainability to critical infrastructure, intelligence, and physical security; from public and higher education to institutional capacity building and a focus on ‘needs based’ water consumption, are but a few critical areas we must address. No single-issue impacts all people as directly as water security ― the entire global community is a stakeholder!