What inference can be drawn about water access?

Concept

An inference is a conclusion supported by explicit statements and their logical implications, rather than by an unsupported assumption. In passage-based questions, identify the condition the author treats as necessary, then reject claims that narrow the issue to one cause or introduce an idea the passage does not support.

Application

The passage says that technology alone cannot ensure water security and warns that, without behavioural change and equitable access, improvements may benefit only a few. Therefore, water access must be equitable so that water-security measures benefit communities broadly.

Contrast

• “It depends only on rainfall” reduces access to a single factor, although the passage discusses groundwater, pollution, governance, reuse and consumption.

• “It requires privatisation” introduces an ownership condition that the passage does not state; the passage instead names transparent governance, coordination and community involvement.

• “It improves automatically” removes the need for deliberate action, whereas the passage lists active measures such as harvesting, protection, reuse, monitoring and behavioural change.

Cross-check

The conclusion preserves both parts of the passage’s final condition: environmental and managerial measures must be combined with social equity. It does not add a new cause or contradict any stated condition.

Result

The supported inference is: “It must be equitable.”