Water management has become a key issue for the 21st century, as growing pressures are hindering the delivery of already scarce fresh water to millions of people. Expanding populations, economic growth, pollution and seasonal climatic conditions are all factors behind diminishing water resources. In addition however, a number of effects linked to climate change, such as lengthy droughts and extreme weather events, are worsening the situation. The link between water management and climate change makes monitoring and forecasting the global water cycle increasingly important. This chapter points to some of the key challenges related to the management and delivery of water-related services. The first section focuses on the growing pressures surrounding access to fresh water; the second highlights some of the socio-economic impacts of “water troubles” (such as the lack of water access and costs of water-related disasters); and the last explores some of the interactions between fresh water and climate change.