Today more than a billion people are without safe drinking water. By 2050, almost half the world's population will face severe water shortages. The planet is running out of fresh water at such a rate that soon it will be the most valuable commodity on earth. This crucial and timely atlas shows water distribution worldwide and considers a future where privatization and profit dictate availability. With snapshots of vulnerable areas - such as Bangladesh, California, Mexico City and the Middle East - as well the global picture, this is a unique resource for general readers as well as policy makers and students. It covers a wide range of topics, including: Water scarcity and dependency Groundwater mining Wastewater use and desalination Contamination and disease Floods and droughts Sanitation and human health Commercial and international conflicts Hydropower, dams and irrigation Water harvesting and conservation