A mounting global water crisis in rivers is unfolding, threatening ecosystems, agriculture, and communities across four continents, as documented in this urgent DW investigation.

Water is scarce, but global demand continues to rise. Humanity is facing serious disputes over its most important resource. What impact is our lifestyle having on our planet’s water cycles?

Along six rivers on four continents, the documentary explores the question of why this vital resource, water, is becoming increasingly scarce—and who is responsible. Seventy percent of freshwater is used in agriculture. A significant portion of this is allocated to the production of animal feed. Our excessive meat consumption is partly to blame for the fact that mighty rivers, such as the Spanish Ebro and the Colorado in the USA and Mexico, are drying up. Factory farming businesses are worth billions to major agricultural companies, but this overuse of water often goes hand in hand with pollution. Europe has outsourced its dirtiest industries to countries such as India. Approximately 20 percent of global water pollution is attributed to the textile industry. The film offers rare insights into Indian factories and the lives of those living in areas where contaminants are discharged.

But it’s not all bad news. In the film, we also meet people who’ve come up with solutions. In France, dams are being dismantled to revitalize rivers; in an Egyptian oasis, the inhabitants are experimenting with hydroponics; and in India, an individual known as the “water man” uses a millennia-old technique to coax rivers from deserts that have dried up for decades.

The Global Water Crisis Is Flowing Faster Than Solutions

As rivers dry up, ecosystems collapse, and pollution levels rise, the world faces a critical turning point. Circular water systems, sustainable resource use, and integrated waste solutions are no longer optional—they’re essential.

Klean Industries is Ready to Help Reverse the Flow:

✅ Resource recovery systems that reduce industrial water contamination
✅ Circular manufacturing and zero-discharge solutions
✅ Carbon-negative infrastructure to mitigate water-climate linkages
✅ Real-time impact tracking via KleanLoop™ for water-related ESG metrics

Contact Klean Industries to build water-resilient systems and protect the lifeblood of our planet across every continent.» GO.