If a society faces a shortage of clean water despite having ample rainfall, what is the most likely underlying cause of this scarcity?

When a society has enough rainfall but still lacks clean water, the problem often lies in how the water is managed and distributed. Even with plenty of rain, if the infrastructure to collect, store, and purify that water is poor or outdated, it can lead to a shortage. For example, if rainwater runs off into polluted rivers instead of being captured for use, it will not be available for drinking or irrigation. Additionally, factors like pollution, population growth, or mismanagement can further complicate access to clean water. Therefore, the underlying cause is usually related to ineffective systems rather than a lack of natural resources.