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 2030, Algeria aims for desalination to meet 60% of its water needs, complemented by advanced wastewater treatment technologies to better manage future climate challenges. iofs
• [New] Fastest Growing Region: Middle East & Africa is likely to reach fast growth at a projected 7.9% CAGR, supported by water scarcity and desalination-linked filtration adoption. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Smart and IoT-enabled water purification systems present a significant opportunity for manufacturers as connected home technologies become increasingly popular worldwide. Persistence Market Research
• [New] In 2030 there might be a 40% global gap between water supply and demand. Straits Research
• [New] As worldwide awareness of water shortage grows, demand for surface and groundwater monitoring technologies will likely expand, driven by the need to implement proactive steps to ensure water security. Straits Research
• [New] The EU targets a 10% increase in water efficiency by 2030 through water reuse in agriculture, industry, and public water supply. Euronews
• [New] The UK is predicted to face a shortfall of 5bn liters of water a day - that's 2,000 Olympic-sized pools of water - by 2055. The Guardian
• [New] By 2050, droughts will intensify, increasing water evaporation. Euronews
• [New] Without action to reduce water use and build new supply infrastructure, England's taps could run dry. The Guardian
• [New] Water UK has called on Defra to pause the WRMP29 planning process while a new national water supply planning framework is developed, warning that current guidance relies on unrealistic assumptions that could leave England underprepared for growing water demand. Water Magazine
• [New] Demand for food may almost double by 2050 and identifies plant based, insect based, microbe derived and cultured meat as key options to ease pressure on land, water and emissions. The Prestige Magazine
• [New] The European Environment Agency expects drought conditions to worsen by 2050 as rising temperatures increase evaporation. Caliber.az
• [New] In Germany, the water levels on the Rhine River, a crucial waterway in Europe's economic heartland, have fallen to their lowest levels in nearly 150 years, posing a risk to the German economy and further disrupting supply chains. CNBC
• [New] In economic terms, the effects of low water levels on the Rhine could be enough to dampen German gross domestic product by up to 0.2% in the third quarter. CNBC
• [New] Financing Deficit: Southeast Asia faces a financing gap of USD 2.1 trillion through 2030 for sustainable ocean management and climate adaptation. PMF IAS
• [New] The estimated yearly spending required to achieve universal water supply and sanitation by 2030 is much more than present levels of investment. Straits Research
• A climate phenomenon developing thousands of kilometers away in the tropical Pacific Ocean could soon have implications for weather conditions in the UAE. Khaleej Times
• Sustainable Ocean Alliance is inviting proposals from small organizations and local leaders working to establish and strengthen marine protected areas and other area-based conservation measures, part of the global push to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. Impact Funding
• Several hyperscalers have set water-positive goals by 2030 with zero-water cooling emerging as a key design principle for new data center construction. AI Business Weekly
• In the Indian Ocean, a positive IOD phase is expected to develop, reaching an ASO 2026 seasonal mean value of 0.6 °C. Mirage News
• Water demand will continue rising as the global population grows. Earth

Last updated: 22 August 2026