In the 21st Century, will water become like oil was in the 20th century?

Question

Some people believe that water will be in the twenty-first century what oil was in the twentieth century.

Could this happen? If so, how?

Answer 1

Check out the latest issue of Scientific American: it's their cover story.

e.g. the Ogalla water table under the rich farmland of the midwest USA is down to 1/5 of its original capacity, and expected to go dry by 2020.

Answer 2

I, personally, don't believe so because of the quick and inexpensive advancements in desalination technologies.

The United States has adequate access to the oceans and should be able to desalinate the sea water and distribute it to areas of need.

We won't need to rely on other countries to maintain an adequate supply of water.