The water cycle: Why there will never be a global "hydraulic bankruptcy"

Understanding the difference between global quantity and local availability

Introduction: An unfounded fear but real challenges

Faced with repeated droughts, dwindling groundwater, and water restrictions in many parts of the world, a fear is emerging:
What if the Earth ran out of water?
What if we were to witness a global "hydraulic failure", where water would become scarce for all of humanity?

This fear, although understandable in the face of local water crises, is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of how our planet works.
Scientific truth is both reassuring and demanding: It is impossible to have a planetary hydraulic failure , because the total amount of water on Earth has remained constant for billions of years.

However, this scientific certainty should not lead us to passivity. While water cannot disappear from the planet, it can become unavailable locally, polluted, or displaced in ways that create dramatic imbalances. Understanding this nuance is essential for intelligently addressing the issue of water in the 21st century. It is therefore important to understand the factors and phenomena that cause deregulation at local, rather than global, levels.

This article explains the water cycle, the permanence of the overall volume, and why the real issues concern the distribution, quality and management of this vital resource.

The water cycle: A system in perpetual motion

The main principles of the hydrological cycle

The total mass of water in the hydrosphere does not change over centuries and remains infinitely constant. This fundamental, scientifically established principle is based on the fact that water follows a continuous cycle that has repeated itself indefinitely since the appearance of water on Earth approximately 3 billion years ago.
And as Lavoisier said, "Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed."
Therefore, understand that there will always be the same volume of water on our beautiful Mother Earth.

The stages of the water cycle :

1. Evaporation Under the influence of solar energy and wind, water from seas and oceans evaporates into the atmosphere, shedding its salt and impurities. This natural distillation process purifies the water and transforms it into invisible water vapor.

Evaporation doesn't only occur in the oceans. It can also originate from the land: this is called evapotranspiration . Plants play a major role in this process: plant roots absorb water, which then evaporates through the transpiration system of the leaves.

2. Condensation As it rises into the colder layers of the atmosphere, water vapor cools and transforms into droplets that will form clouds, mist or fog.

3. Precipitation Driven by the winds, clouds move through the atmosphere. Aided by gravity, the droplets that make up the clouds become heavier and fall back to the ground as precipitation: rain, hail, snow or wet fog.

4. Runoff and infiltration Once on the ground, the water follows two main paths:

• Runoff Water flows across the surface towards waterways (rivers, streams) which flow into the seas and oceans.
• The infiltration Water penetrates the soil, passes through the vadose zone (the unsaturated part of the subsoil) and replenishes the underground aquifers.

5. Return to the sea Watercourses, fed by rainfall and springs (emergences of underground aquifers), carry the water back towards the oceans. And the cycle begins again endlessly.

The perfect balance of the system

The water cycle is a remarkably balanced system. The sum of evaporations, or 496,000 km³/year, equals the sum of precipitation.
This overall balance is maintained thanks to a fascinating self-regulating mechanism:

• On the continents : precipitation exceeds evaporation by 40,000 km³
• On the oceans The opposite phenomenon is observed for the same quantity of water.

Thus, the continents will return a mass of water of 40,000 km³ to the oceans each year, so that the water cycle is balanced.

The engine of the cycle: solar energy

The sun is the universal driver of the water cycle. More precisely, it is solar energy that drives the changes of state of water: the formation and melting of ice, the evaporation of water and its rise into the atmosphere.
About 22% of the sun's rays reaching Earth raise the temperature of the oceans, turning water into steam.

This geochemical cycle, perfected over billions of years, functions without human intervention and perpetuates itself independently of our actions.

The amount of water on Earth: A remarkable constant

A volume that has not changed for 3 billion years

Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed: water changes state during its cycle, passing from gas to liquid or solid. However, its quantity has remained unchanged for three billion years. Life on Earth cannot exist without water.

The glass of water you are holding contains H₂O molecules that may have been in the ocean a million years ago, in a cloud ten thousand years ago, in a river a hundred years ago.

Why does the volume remain constant?

The total volume of water on Earth is estimated at 1.386 billion km³ . But why doesn't this volume change? Two main reasons:

1. No loss in space The water molecule is heavy enough to remain trapped in Earth's atmosphere. Unlike helium, which escapes into space, water remains gravitationally bound to our planet.

2. Negligible flux from space The net flux from space was positive (but small: less than 10% of the total) when the Earth was young; it is practically zero now. Bombardment by comets has almost completely ceased.

At the level of chemical reactions, there are indeed processes that create or destroy water (combustion, metabolism), but these quantities are infinitesimal compared to the overall volume. The quantity of water is, on our timescale, truly constant.

Distribution of water on Earth

Although the total volume is constant, the water is distributed very unevenly:

Salt water: 97.2%

• Oceans and seas: 97%
• Salt lakes and saline groundwater: 0.2%

Fresh water: 2.8%

• Glaciers and ice caps: 76% of fresh water (i.e., 2.1% of the total)
• Groundwater: 22.5% of freshwater
• Surface waters (lakes, rivers, ponds): 1.26% of fresh water
• Atmosphere (clouds, rain, fog): 0.04% of fresh water

Synthesis Only 0.7% of the total water is fresh water available for our uses!

And more and more solutions for using seawater are emerging.
We have the uses as René Quinton taught us more than 100 years ago and people like Laureano Ruiz Dominguez from the University of Bogota in Colombia have been working for decades to demonstrate the potential of seawater to regenerate soils and facilitate the development of crops in deserts.
Seawater is an asset for life because it contains no less than 80 molecules that are biocompatible with living organisms.
More and more desalination projects are emerging, as well as the possibility of recovering water from the atmosphere, as seen in some deserts with sails to capture water droplets in the air.

Here is an example of the Warka Water, found in Africa, used to capture water from the air (click on the photo to read the article about these tools).

The water hidden in the depths

A recent discovery is fascinating: it is estimated that the Earth's interior contains 1.5 to 11 times more water than the oceans. This water is dissolved in the minerals of the Earth's mantle, at temperatures of 1,100°C and extreme pressures. Some scientists have hypothesized that the water in the mantle is part of a global water cycle.

Researchers have even claimed that there is a gigantic ocean beneath our oceans! A very serious subject, which you can read about in "National Geographic":

https://www.nationalgeographic.fr/sciences/geologie-les-profondeurs-de-la-terre-cachent-un-gigantesque-ocean-solide

Why there can't be a global "hydraulic bankruptcy"

The cycle is permanent and self-regulating.

The concept of global "hydraulic failure" is scientifically impossible for several fundamental reasons:

1. Water cannot leave the Earth As we have seen, Earth's gravity retains all water molecules. There is no physical mechanism that would allow water to disappear en masse from our planet.

2. The cycle continues independently of humans The sun will continue to evaporate water from the oceans; this water vapor will continue to form clouds, and these clouds will continue to produce precipitation. This cycle existed long before the appearance of humanity and will continue long after.

3. Water changes state but does not disappear Whether it is liquid in an ocean, solid in a glacier, or gaseous in the atmosphere, water remains water (H₂O). Changes of state only redistribute water between different reservoirs.
We also see this clearly in the study of the fourth state of water. It is a foundation for life because, as Gunter Pauli points out, a single drop of seawater contains 10 million bacteria and 1 million viruses. Water contains all the elements necessary for life.

Seawater is alive. In every liter of water, there are between 10 and 100 billion organisms (there are 7.7 billion of us on Earth!), most of them invisible to the naked eye. These organisms, which float and drift with ocean currents, are called 'plankton'. Together in their aquatic habitat, they form what is called an ecosystem, comparable to that of forests or deserts; the 'plankton' ecosystem is gigantic, extending everywhere there is water, from the poles to the equator, from the surface of the oceans to several kilometers deep.

Today, we know that marine plankton produces about half of the planet's oxygen (O2), that it generates the living matter that feeds visible marine organisms – shellfish, crustaceans, fish, birds, dolphins and whales – and that it plays a fundamental role in regulating the climate and the major ecological balances of our planet.

4. A system in dynamic equilibrium Each year, exactly the same amount of water that evaporates falls back as precipitation. This balance is maintained by the laws of thermodynamics and cannot be disrupted on a global scale.

The true nature of the problem: distribution, quality, and accessibility

If a global hydraulic collapse is impossible, why do we talk so much about a "water crisis"? Because the problem isn't the total quantity of water, but its localized availability .

The real issues :

1. Uneven geographical distribution Water is not evenly distributed across the planet. Some regions receive abundant rainfall (tropical rainforests), while others are structurally arid (deserts). This natural inequality is amplified by human activities.

2. Variable temporal distribution In many regions, rainfall is concentrated in just a few months of the year. The rest of the year can be extremely dry. This seasonal variability, exacerbated by climate change, creates periods of scarcity alternating with periods of abundance.

3. Degraded water quality Water may be present in sufficient quantity but unsuitable for use due to pollution. Water polluted by organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, or plastics becomes unusable, thus reducing the available resource.

4. Limited accessibility Much of the world's fresh water is frozen in ice caps or locked in deep, hard-to-reach aquifers. Only a tiny fraction is easily accessible for human use.

Water stress: a local problem, not a global one

Definition and causes

Water stress is a critical situation that arises when available water resources are less than the demand for water. It is not an absolute lack of water on the planet, but a local imbalance between supply and demand.
Since 85% of the world's population lives in metropolises, therefore in concentrated environments, it is clear that the concern is minor and mainly concerns places of high population density.
Yet this is a basic principle of life and the balance of life: if there is quantity, there cannot be quality.

It is also observed that this problem only affects the Western world.

Reference thresholds :

• Water stress less than 1,700 m³/inhabitant/year available
• Water shortage between 1,700 and 1,000 m³/inhabitant/year
• Water scarcity less than 1,000 m³/inhabitant/year

Main causes of water stress :

1. Excessive withdrawals Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of global freshwater withdrawals. Industry consumes 19%, and domestic uses 11%. In some regions, withdrawals far exceed the natural replenishment capacity of aquifers.

2. Population growth The more inhabitants there are, the greater the demand for water. The number of people grows, but the total quantity of water remains stable.

3. Pollution When available water is polluted, it becomes unusable. Pollution therefore reduces the available resource without affecting the total volume of water.

4. Poor management Outdated infrastructure (leaks in the networks), inefficient irrigation, poorly planned urbanization, soil sealing preventing infiltration and groundwater recharge.

The scale of the problem

The figures for water stress are worrying:

• More than one in six people worldwide suffer from water stress.
• One third of the world's population (2 billion people) lives in conditions of severe water scarcity for at least one month a year.
• Half a billion people worldwide face severe water shortages throughout the year.
• According to the United Nations, by 2030, nearly 700 million people could be displaced due to severe water shortages.

The most affected regions are the Near East, the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia (India, Pakistan, northern plains of China).

Consequences of water stress

On human health :

• Waterborne diseases (cholera, diarrhea, typhoid)
• Malnutrition due to decreased agricultural production
• Conflicts over access to water

On the environment :

• Draining of rivers and lakes
• Degradation of water quality (eutrophication)
• Loss of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity
• Saltwater intrusion into freshwater streams
• Increase in forest fires

On the economy :

• Massive agricultural losses
• Constraints on industry
• Obstacles to development
• Climate migrations

The solution: not to consume, but to manage intelligently.

Understanding that we don't use water, we borrow it

A conceptual revolution is needed: We do not "consume" water, we borrow it temporarily from the cycle .

When you drink a glass of water, you are not making that water disappear from the planet. It passes through your body, is eliminated in urine, treated (or not) in a wastewater treatment plant, returns to the natural environment, evaporates, forms clouds, falls back as rain, and so on.

The real problem, therefore, is not the total quantity, but:

1. Cycle time How long does it take for water to return to a usable reservoir?
2. Quality after use Is the water we return to the cycle polluted?
3. The place of restitution Are we returning the water to where it can be easily reused?

The principles of intelligent water management

1. Respect the natural cycle

Preserve the infiltration Soil sealing (concreting, waterproofing) prevents water from penetrating the soil and replenishing groundwater. Instead, the water runs off quickly into waterways, contributing to flooding without replenishing underground reserves.

Solutions:

• De-sealing cities
• Create swales and infiltration basins
• Promoting green roofs
• Maintain wetlands

Protect the forests Forests play a crucial role in the "small water cycle." Evapotranspiration from trees creates local rainfall. Deforestation disrupts this cycle and contributes to the aridification of regions.

Respect wetlands Marshes, peat bogs, and mangroves are natural regulators of the water cycle. They store water during periods of abundance and release it gradually, while naturally filtering and purifying the water.

2. Optimize usage

In agriculture (70% of withdrawals) :

• Drip irrigation rather than sprinkler irrigation
• Crops adapted to the local climate
• Agroforestry and soil cover
• Rainwater storage
• Selection of drought-resistant varieties

In industry (19% of samples) :

• Process water recycling
• Water-saving technologies
• Treatment and reuse of industrial wastewater

Domestic use (11% of samples) :

• Repairing leaks (20-40% losses in some networks)
• Water-saving fixtures (faucets, showers, toilets)
• Rainwater harvesting for non-potable uses
• Reusing greywater (shower, sink) for toilets or the garden

3. Preserve the quality

Preventing pollution :

• Reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agriculture
• Effectively treating industrial wastewater
• Improving domestic wastewater treatment
• Ban the most toxic substances (endocrine disruptors, heavy metals)

Restoring aquatic ecosystems :

• Restoring artificial waterways to their natural state
• Create vegetated buffer zones along rivers
• Rehabilitating wetlands

4. Adapting to climate change

Store smartly :

• Artificially replenishing groundwater
• Create water reservoirs in strategic locations
• Promote natural storage (wetlands, forests)

Anticipating crises :

• Early warning systems for droughts
• Crisis management plans with prioritized uses
• Diversification of supply sources

Adapting the territories :

• Urban planning integrating water management
• Urban greening to limit heat islands
• Resilient and diversified agriculture

Groundwater regeneration: a natural process to be respected

Groundwater is naturally replenished through the infiltration of rainfall. This process takes time—sometimes years or decades. The problem arises when we extract water faster than nature can replenish it.

The Ogallala aquifer (United States) is a dramatic example: this immense underground aquifer is being depleted because agricultural withdrawals far exceed natural recharge. But the water has not disappeared from the Earth - it has simply been displaced and is now in the ocean, in the atmosphere, elsewhere.

The solution is not to panic over a "disappearance" of water, but to respect the charging schedule by adapting our sampling methods.

Conclusion: Water is eternal, our management of it is not.

Reassuring certainty

The amount of water on planet Earth is constant. This scientific truth should reassure us: there will never be a global "water crisis." Water cannot disappear from our planet. The cycle will continue, regardless of our actions.

The empowering requirement

But this certainty must in no way lead us to passivity or irresponsibility. For while water cannot disappear globally, it can become locally unavailable, creating major humanitarian, economic, and environmental crises.

What we need to understand :

1. The water crisis is not a crisis of overall quantity, but of distribution, quality, and local management.
2. We do not "consume" water, we borrow it from the cycle . The challenge is to return it clean, to the right place, at the right time.
3. The problem is not the water cycle (which works perfectly), but our interference with this cycle. : pollution, artificial development, deforestation, excessive extraction.
4. The solutions exist and are known. : respect natural processes, optimize uses, preserve quality, adapt our territories.

A necessary paradigm shift

Rather than fearing the "disappearance" of water, we must:

View water as a circulating common good Water does not belong to us; we share it with all living beings and with future generations. Our responsibility is to keep it clean and accessible.

Respect natural cycles For billions of years, nature has perfected an extraordinarily efficient water circulation system. Our role is not to "correct" it but to adapt to it intelligently.

Think local and act local Water problems are primarily local problems that require solutions tailored to each territory and each watershed.

Restore rather than destroy Rather than building ever more artificial infrastructure, we should restore natural infrastructure (forests, wetlands, living soils) which provides free regulation of the water cycle.

The message of hope

The good news is that Everything that has been damaged can be restored . Groundwater can be replenished. Polluted rivers can become clean again. Destroyed wetlands can be recreated. Forests can grow back.

The water cycle is resilient. We simply need to stop disrupting it and intelligently support its natural processes.

Water will never disappear from the Earth. It is our ability to access it that depends entirely on our choices.

Let us choose wisdom: let us respect the cycle, preserve the quality, share equitably, and water will continue, as it always has, to nourish life on our blue planet.

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To understand how NaturaSounds works to preserve and revitalize water through the principles of Viktor Schauberger and vortex structuring approaches, contact us. Living water is at the heart of our approach to regenerative agriculture and health.