People usually think that fresh water is inexhaustible. They hold this opinion because they can see water everywhere, rainwater, water in the river or the lake and they can get water as soon as they turn on the tap. Acturally, there is a serious shortage of fresh water. Fresh water is not only needed in people's daily life but also in industry and agriculture. Fresh water shortage is made more serious by pollution and population expansion, to say nothing of the fact that the Yellow River is drying up. Many ways can contribute to solving this serious problem, but the following ones may be most effective. First, everyone should be advised to economize¹ fresh water. Besides, measures should be taken to prevent water pollution. Finally,we should exploit fresh water resources by making use of underground water, desahing seawater, and even purifying water already polluted. These are not the best and the only three measures we can take. But it should be noted² that we should take strong actions to protect fresh water resources.