Global Scans · Water · Weekly Summary

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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] The WHO is warning that climate change will likely reduce both the quantity and quality of food that is available to the global population and increase the rate of infections with diseases transmitted via food and drinking water. Krungsri2020
• [New] The African Development Foundation has launched projects focussed on enhancing access to clean water and sanitation facilities, which are critical in reducing health risks associated with poor hygiene and living conditions in informal settlements. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Afghanistan's Kabul may run out of water by 2030: Kabul, Afghanistan's capital with a population of seven million people, could become the first modern city to run out of water in the next five years, a new report has warned. News18
• [New] Egypt has referred to the dam, known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, as an existential threat because the Arab world's most populous country relies almost entirely on the Nile to supply water for agriculture and its more than 100 million people. " style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">"The Africa Edition: News That Matters to Africa"
• [New] Water levels in Chiang Saen district are expected to rise by 0.8 to 1.2 meters because of heavy rainfall downstream from the Jinghong Dam in China. CTN News - Chiang Rai Times
• [New] Climate change is the primary threat to mangrove ecosystems, affecting 33% globally, followed by deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction. EDUREV.IN
• [New] A separate seven-figure agreement with the U.S. Navy will bolster Maritime Domain Awareness in the Pacific Ocean, expanding Planet's role in naval surveillance and ocean monitoring efforts. Space War
• [New] Climate change adaptation costs are escalating rapidly as communities worldwide face immediate threats to food security, water resources, and habitable living conditions. Hot Topics
• [New] Pressure on the water sector is expected to increase in the coming years as climate change shrinks water availability worldwide while populations continue to grow. Statista
• [New] Tiny Robots Could Help Fix Leaky Water Pipes Micro-robots that can inspect water pipes, diagnose cracks and fix them autonomously - reducing leaks and avoiding expensive excavation work - have been developed by a team of engineers led by the University of Sheffield. SlideShare
• [New] The world's oceans currently harbour around 200 million tonnes of plastics, posing a severe threat to the ecosystem. Blue Flag
• [New] Large-scale storage technologies like massive batteries, pumped-storage hydroelectric facilities, and innovative ideas like storing heat in hot sand - currently piloted in Finland - could absorb excess power and release it on demand. Elcabildo
• [New] 15% of the euro area economy output is at risk from water scarcity alone and €1.3 trillion of euro area bank loans are currently extended to sectors exposed to high water scarcity risk. European Central Bank
• [New] Thames Water have been forced to reduce the water pressure in certain locations to reduce the risk of bursts and leaks. www.saraholney.com
• [New] Laos is increasingly affected by hydro-meteorological hazards, such as storms, floods, droughts and heatwaves, intensified by climate change. Laotian Times
• [New] In the United States, the America the Beautiful initiative will advance toward its goal of conserving 30% of lands and waters by 2030, with rewilding as a key strategy. Animals Around The Globe
• [New] The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi has reacted close to the danger mark due to the release of water from Hathini Kund. Dynamite News
• [New] The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has risen to 203 meters, inching dangerously close to the danger mark. Dynamite News
• [New] Due to the ever-increasing water level of the Yamuna River, the threat of floods in the capital, Delhi, is once again looming. Dynamite News
• [New] The risk of floods in Delhi has increased once again, similar to last year, as the water level of the Yamuna River continues to rise. Dynamite News
• [New] The French Nuclear Safety Authority mandates limits on both water intake and discharge temperatures to mitigate risks to riverine biodiversity and comply with environmental protection standards. The Watchers
• By treating water as a core business risk, not just an environmental concern, UK businesses can stay ahead of rising costs, protect their operations and meet ESG expectations. Smarter Business

Last updated: 12 July 2025