In which situation can water scarcity occur despite low density?

Correct answer: When the area is dry and water sources are limited

Population density tells us how many people live in an area, but it does not tell us how much water is naturally available there. Water scarcity depends on factors such as rainfall, rivers, groundwater, climate, storage, infrastructure and the quality of water sources. A region can have few residents and still lack usable water if it is dry or its water sources are very limited. Thus density alone cannot guarantee water security.

Option A is correct because a dry area with limited water sources may face scarcity even when relatively few people live there. Option B describes the opposite condition: abundant water would generally reduce scarcity, though management can still matter. Option C describes a possible cause of pressure but does not fit the phrase “despite low density.” Option D is not sufficient because being surrounded by the sea does not automatically provide drinkable freshwater. The key idea is that resource availability and population density are separate factors.