What is the most important factor leading to the abandonment of a site?

The most important factor leading to the abandonment of a site revolves significantly around the availability of an adequate and safe water supply. Water is essential for a variety of reasons, including human health, sanitation, and the overall viability of a community or site. Without access to clean and sufficient water, residents cannot maintain basic hygiene, agriculture, or industrial activities, which leads to a decline in the quality of life and potential public health crises.

In contrast, while the other factors such as sewage disposal, solid waste disposal, and electricity generation are certainly critical for a site’s operation and sustainability, none of them can equate with the absolute necessity of water. A site may have functioning waste management or energy systems, but if it lacks an adequate water supply, it becomes increasingly uninhabitable and unsustainable, causing abandonment.