In the modern era demands for water increase in the face of limited or declining supplies thereby intensifying water scarcity. The Science Academies of the Americas established a regional water program to aid national governments in addressing the multiple issues that threaten the availability of water in the future.

The challenges of water scarcity require for their solution rigorous, science-based regimes of technological and managerial actions. These actions are needed: to achieve more efficient use of existing supplies; to recover and reclaim degraded surface and ground waters; and secure for future generations sustainable supplies of clean, healthful water. If allowed to continue intensifying water scarcity may constrain opportunities for economic development in the future. To preserve those opportunities water resources will need to be protected and managed in enlightened and science-based ways.