"The world is wasting water on a truly colossal scale, according to the United Nations."

Sarah Morrison in the Independent shares details from a new United Nations report to be presented at the World Water Forum on the future of water usage. The good news? Golf didn't get mentioned. The bad news? Well, just read the story...

Demand for water is expected to increase by 55 per cent over the next four decades, according to a new study to be presented at the forum in France. Framing the Water Reform Challenge, from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), points out that rapid urbanisation, climate change and the altering global economy are putting growing pressures on water supplies. In around 40 years' time, more than 40 per cent of the world's population – 3.9 billion people – are likely to be living in river areas in the grip of severe "water-stress". The UN warns this could also be felt in parts of Europe, affecting up to 44 million people by 2070.