The only superpower that doesn't have large quantities of water is China. Eastern Russia is covered with water, but isn't very populated, Russia has to watch it's back or they could lose it all.

Sean, Precisely that is the business. As most of Northern China is desert and it is very expensive to supply water from Souther China (which is also heavily populated so they wouldn´t agree to give part of their water), the cheaper import route comes from Siberian rivers. So, at the same time that the next oil and gas pipelines are built so will be the water pipelines...Still a long time to go as the oil and gas project in Irkutsk has been suspended for a decade. And, as Eastern Russia is not much populated, supplying water to Northern China will not be a problem. In fact, China can pay half of the water pipeline and storage facilities.

Ever hear the maxim, " a dog won't fowl its den." Then Why do Humans do it constantly. 200years ago mankind needed to live near water because of source near population centers and because water power was a big source of energy, (and of course sailing ships.) But in the 21st century the view that humans need to make their Cities on or near the water is an Obsolete idea. We have the technology to have Inland Ports, so keep the population centers Away from the water and we won't be fowling it so much. People can even use Wii actuators to load and unload cargoes through robotics so we won't have to commute to waste valuable fuel. Ask yourself...in the year 2280 will you want to "drive" to work, or use your caloric allotment to cook your food or huddle for warmth in your home?(exocave) All our current usage of transport and fuels is so very 19th century it's no wonder we are heading for a crisis at every step of the way when it comes to Natural Resources. It all goes back to carrying capacity and conservation. IF we can get Away from our 19th Century Energy paradigms, we Won't have fuel crisis, water crisis, pollution crisis, OR any of that. We need to step into the 21st Century with the tools we developed for it in the 20th, and DO IT NOW. (or else!)

This speculation is just that, nothing more. Who is to know what will be the world in 10 years? 20 years is an incredibly long amount of time from now, to make statements that the world is going to be drowning in it's own filth is a little absurd. This water shortage talk sounds a lot like the global warming, global cooling, swine flu, west niles virus, e-coli, y2k, 2012, MADD BS that has been going around. There is only one thing we need to worry about as a species, technology. So long as we continue to develop new technologies, we will survive. They say that necessity is the mother of creation, if we need water we will have it. What I imagine is harvesting massive amounts of energy from various means, and then using that energy to provide people a means to clean their water, go about their various concerns and live their lives in happiness and peace. There is a massive amount of untapped energy on Earth, and our species squabbles about the crumbs that we have managed to dig up with our ancient neanderthal tools and means, look to technology.

A Person... Technology is great yes. But like oil, all the metals and other compunds that go into technology will eventually run out. The world is not and endless pit of resources. If you dig deep enough you will come out the other side.