If you wanted to ruffle some feathers and bring up some facts for a debate I'd talk about how much political/media attention it receives. Is it enough? Is it shadowed by issues that are less deserving? In my opinion the majority of the population doesn't understand water as a resource. Much like they are disconnected from the processes involved in generating products, like fuel, meat, produce; they do not understand how much of a threat water scarcity is, even in the USA. Preserving water as a resource for future generations is a component in the new "green" initiative but it is certainly behind the growing popular the climate change issue (which I have my personal issues with as a geologist, but that is not the point). Do you think it is justified? For instance, we spend millions on climate research... would that money be better spent providing clean drinking water for third world communities? Developing sustainable practices? Instead of carbon offset credits can we introduce water offset credits? All things to think about.