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] Caused by Pacific Ocean temperatures that are more than 2 degrees Celsius warmer than normal, it will raise global temperatures and disrupt weather patterns around the world. Atlantic Council
• [New] Attacks targeting critical infrastructure could have serious real-world consequences, including disruptions to hospitals, electrical systems and water treatment facilities. KDBC
• [New] The potential economic consequences are significant: the African Development Bank estimates that a Super El Nino could result in a US$ 10 billion to US$ 20 billion hit across African countries, with impacts extending to food and water security, infrastructure and economic activity. African Mining Market
• [New] The scale of planned investment in water infrastructure across England and Wales is creating a substantial delivery opportunity, but workforce availability is emerging as an important constraint on how effectively that capital can be deployed. DirectorsTalk Interviews
• [New] Water companies must have improved 75% of storm overflows by 2035, and 100% by 2045. / UK CIWEM
• [New] Drought is expected to increase in frequency, duration, and intensity at both regional and global scales, resulting in increased environmental security risk. Drought.gov
• [New] Experts at institutions ranging from Zurich Insurance to Tavoni's think-tank estimate 2026's flash drought is likely to deal a short-term economic blow to Europe of at least €50bn, which could rise significantly if the water shortages drag on. Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen
• [New] Falling fish populations and reduced seafood production could undermine food security for billions of people around the world who depend on the ocean as an important source of nutrition. ScienceDaily
• [New] If you run anything that depends on water, power or agricultural supply here - and in Colombia that is most businesses - the planning horizon that matters is December to March, and the time to plan for it is now, while reservoirs are still above 70%. The Rio Times
• [New] By 2030, global water demand will exceed supply by approximately 40%, underscoring the urgency of robust water management solutions. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The U.S. Department of Energy finalized standards requiring over 50% of newly manufactured electric storage water heaters to use heat pump technology by 2029. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Industrial water utilities are expected to register the fastest growth, expanding at a CAGR of 13.9% between 2026 and 2033, driven by sustainability commitments, water reuse initiatives, and rising freshwater costs across manufacturing, mining, and power generation industries. Persistence Market Research
• [New] In the United States, enforceable drinking water limits of 4 nanograms per liter for PFOA and PFOS are already in place, with compliance required by 2031. Smart Water Magazine
• [New] AI-powered data centers are becoming significant consumers of electricity and water, with demand expected to increase substantially by 2030. GCC BUSINESS WATCH
• [New] Water and food security will form another major pillar of WGES 2026, reflecting the growing pressure that climate change is placing on essential resources. GCC BUSINESS WATCH
• [New] Water scarcity is already evident, and according to UN projections, by 2040, water shortages could reach 50% of total demand. Frontiers
• [New] Fastest Growing Region: Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region, projected at a 13.7% CAGR fueled by rapid urbanization, water scarcity, and large-scale government-backed smart city programs. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Water consumption is forecast to more than triple by 2030 (664 billion liters in total). Greenpeace Australia Pacific
• [New] The brutal conditions are likely to drag on - and possibly intensify - in 2027 because there is a lag of about three months between the peak of El Nino warming in the Pacific Ocean and temperature rises elsewhere in the world. The Guardian
• [New] Copernicus warns of 'unprecedented strain' on world's oceans as El Nino and climate change drive up sea surface temperatures. Al Jazeera
• [New] Drought affects large parts of Europe since spring, with forecast reporting warmer and drier weather into September, with continued risk of heatwaves. Joint Research Centre

Last updated: 05 September 2026