Global Scans · Water · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Global demand for fresh water is expected to outpace sustainable supply by 40% in 2030. Global water demand will climb in tandem with population and economic growth. At least two-thirds of the world's population will face 'water stress' by 2025 and the number of people affected by floods could increase by a factor of three by 2100 bring significant risk of unrest and conflict. The UN Security Council will have to declare water a strategic resource of humanity and adopt a resolution to protect water resources and installations. Organizations will be expected to play their part in conserving water.

• [New] By 2050, around 6 billion people may face insufficient access to clean water. Daily Sabah
• [New] Global water demand is projected to increase by 20-30% by 2050, driven by population growth and economic development. Seametrics
• [New] By 2030, the world could face a 40% gap between global water demand and available supply if current trends continue. Seametrics
• [New] Droughts are predicted to increase markedly over the next 20 years, with currently about 60-75% of people globally experiencing some form of water stress every year. Seametrics
• [New] Domestic water needs are anticipated to triple from 2010 to 2050. Center for Strategic and International Studies
• [New] A report released today by the American Water Works Association finds that addressing U.S. drinking water infrastructure and other critical needs will require $2.1 trillion to $2.4 trillion over the next 25 years, testing the limits of water affordability. Treatment Plant Operator
• [New] If ratepayers alone are asked to fill the funding gap, average annual household drinking water bills would more than double - from $429 in 2025 to $969 by 2050 (in 2025 dollars). American Water Works Association
• [New] EPA is simultaneously releasing human health benchmarks for 374 pharmaceuticals, giving states, Tribes, and local water systems a critical new tool to assess risk and take action when drug residues are found at concerning levels. US EPA
• [New] Iranian hackers are exploiting cyber vulnerabilities in key software systems at U.S. water and energy providers. Just Security
• [New] Russian forces will likely shift their long-range strike campaign toward Ukrainian water supply and logistics targets in Spring and Summer 2026. Critical Threats
• [New] Cities, towns and industrial facilities across South Texas are racing to drill wells as Corpus Christi's reservoirs run dry, threatening the water supplies of rural residents and small towns that have long depended on local aquifers. RuralOrganizing
• [New] The water crisis that could change everything in 2026 has already begun; it's not just about the climate, it affects technology, raises product prices, and can halt entire companies without warning. CPG Click Oil and Gas
• [New] The population affected by water scarcity in Africa will nearly quadruple, from 80 million in 2016 to 311 million in 2050. Siemens
• [New] Water levels in Lake Powell could dip below what can generate electricity at the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. Scientific American
• [New] By 2026, global agricultural water storage capacity is projected to increase by 18% to support climate-resilient farming. Farmonaut
• [New] At current rates, just under 10% of the world's oceans will be protected by 2030 - a far cry from what scientists say is needed to stop the loss of marine biodiversity, stem the climate crisis, and protect communities that rely on oceans for food and livelihoods. Conservation International
• [New] By 2027, surging demand for AI could lead to the withdrawal of 4.2 billion to 6.6 billion cubic meters of water - nearly half of the UK's annual consumption. Marketing-Interactive
• [New] Non-potable recycled water represents an opportunity for datacenters but we need Sydney Water to make recycled water available at an affordable price. The Guardian
• Household drinking water costs are projected to rise If the funding gap were addressed solely through ratepayer revenue, average annual household drinking water bills could increase from $429 in 2025 to $969 by 2050 (in constant dollars). ASDWA
• An estimated $13.6 billion per year in assistance would be needed by 2050 to keep water bills below commonly understood affordability benchmarks. American Water Works Association

Last updated: 11 April 2026