[sbacic]

> Physical losses in undermaintained water grids are the biggest cause for the issue.

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't that mean the water is returned back to the environment? It's not made unusable, nor does it disappear permanently.

[citrin_ru]

In many places water is pumped from deep underground aquifers but leaks go to surface ground waters and could quickly end-up in the Ocean so aquifers are still depleted.

[alphawhisky]

Groundwater recharge from surface to an aquifer where it "rests" can take up to 1000 years.

[jezzamon]

We're talking about accessible fresh water. If it evaporates and then rains over the ocean then it's lost, or as the article mentions, if it becomes contaminated then it's not longer usable as fresh water