Because so much of Western Asia is desert, water is frequently very scare.  However, some regions of the area do have abundant and dependable supplies of water.

Countries such as Iraq, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Lebanon all have surface water supplies that meet much of the people's need.  In Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, the West Bank and Gaza, water is taken from underground sources.

Iraq benefits greatly from the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, and has enough water in springs and rivers to cover most of its needs.

The Orients and Latani rivers, as well as the Jordan River, are all used for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes in Jordan.  However, Jordan does not have enough water to meet its annual needs, and must import water from abroad.

In the areas with more severe deserts, rivers and lakes are very uncommon.  This has meant that countries with this type of environment extract water from aquifers, deep underground sources, and flash floods.

Some countries with especially severe water problems are attempting to desalinate seawater to make it usable for domestic consumption.  Often, water is distilled to eliminate the salt, but this can be an expensive process.

Many sources of water, such as the Orients and Latani rivers, stretch from one country into another.  Because there are few agreements on water sources that cross national boundaries, water is not always used in the most efficient manner.