Question

'what is a potential resource' . how can we solve the problem of shortage of water

Answer 1

Potential Resources -
1.These are the resources whose total quantity may not be known.
2.These resources are not being used at present. These could be used in the future.
Example - Uranium found in ladakh. 
 

Answer 2

potential resources are those resources which do exist, though in unknown quantity , and are not utilizes today due to lack of available technology or capital etc but can be utilised in future.
Example- The petroleum reserves which are lying unutilized.