Surface water pollution could potentially impact a staggering 5.5 billion people worldwide by the year 2100. 

New research, published in the journal Nature Water, points to sub-Saharan Africa emerging as a global hotspot for this concerning issue as the century draws to a close.

As climate change and socio-economic development continue to shape the planet's future, the availability and quality of water resources are expected to be significantly affected. 

Different sectors, including domestic, manufacturing, livestock, and irrigation activities, contribute pollutants that degrade water quality. 

However, global efforts to manage and mitigate these effects have not been consistent.

The study, led by Edward Jones and his colleagues, used an advanced global surface water quality model to simulate various factors such as water temperature, salinity levels, and the presence of organic and pathogenic pollutants. 

By analysing data from 2005 to 2100 under different socio-economic and climate scenarios, the researchers predicted that up to 5.5 billion people could face the consequences of surface water pollution by the end of this century.

The extent of the impact varied depending on the specific climate and socio-economic conditions, as well as the type of pollution analysed. 

The study revealed that between 17 per cent and 27 per cent of the world's population could be exposed to salinity pollution, while organic pollution could affect between 20 per cent and 37 per cent. 

Pathogen pollution, which poses a significant health risk, could impact between 22 per cent and 44 per cent of the global population. 

Alarmingly, the research also highlighted that those living in developing countries would bear the brunt of poor surface water quality.

A particularly concerning finding of the study was the prediction that sub-Saharan Africa would become a major epicentre of surface water pollution, regardless of the climate and socio-economic scenarios unfolding in the region. 

This highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions and comprehensive global strategies to tackle this impending crisis.