The discovery of water ice in permanently shadowed craters at the moon's poles has reignited global interest in lunar exploration, prompting plans for bases, settlements, and even industrial operations. These craters, known as "cold traps," have remained untouched by sunlight for billions of years, allowing water ice to remain stable and preserved. Since 2013, orbiting spacecraft have mapped these regions, estimating that there may be up to 1 billion tons of water ice on the moon. However, more recent studies suggest the actual amount is about 30 times less than this initial estimate. The presence of water on the moon is a game-changer for long-term human habitation. It could allow for the establishment of a "moon village" where people could live without relying entirely on Earth for water supplies. This idea has attracted the attention of prominent figures like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, who envision large-scale lunar development. However, a recent study published in Frontiers in Space Technologies raises important concerns about the sustainability of such ambitions. According to the study, even with a generous amount of water—up to 1 billion tons—and highly efficient water recycling systems similar to those used on the International Space Station, a city of 1 million people would exhaust its water supply in just over 100 years. Since current estimates of available water are significantly lower, the time before water runs out would be much shorter. A small city of 1,000 people could sustain itself for several centuries, while a town of 10,000 people might last for a few hundred years. These findings highlight the challenges of maintaining a large, permanent human presence on the moon. To address these challenges, researchers suggest several potential solutions. These include improving water recycling efficiency, reducing water use through advanced techniques like vertical farming, importing water from nearby asteroids, or discovering additional water sources on the moon itself. These strategies could help extend the viability of lunar settlements and support the ambitious goals of future lunar colonization.