How does overpopulation generally impact water resources?

Overpopulation generally leads to water scarcity becoming a significant concern due to several interrelated factors. As the population increases, the demand for water rises correspondingly. This heightened demand places pressure on existing water resources, which can be either surface water or groundwater. When more people require water for domestic use, agriculture, and industries, the available supply may not be adequate to meet these needs.

Additionally, overpopulated areas often experience increased pollution as the larger population generates more waste, which can contaminate available water sources and reduce overall water quality. This further exacerbates the scarcity problem, as not only is there more demand, but the quality of the water available is compromised. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that overpopulation primarily results in heightened concerns regarding water scarcity rather than increased availability, decreased costs, or improved quality.