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] The Chang'e 7 mission, scheduled for mid-2026, will target the lunar south pole with an orbiter, lander, and rover designed to explore shadowed craters for water ice-essential for future lunar habitat development. Aerospace & Defense News
• [New] With US$ 1 billion in EPA funding now flowing to states for PFAS remediation, the contrast between clean bottled water and contaminated tap water will only sharpen. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Public water systems have until 2029 to reduce PFAS in drinking water. WRDW-TV/WAGT-TV
• [New] Resource depletion - from water scarcity to arable land loss - threatens food security worldwide. Farmonaut
• [New] Investor Note: Investment in smart sprinkler systems and precision irrigation technologies is predicted to grow by 20% annually through 2028, driven by the need for sustainable and data-driven farming solutions. Farmonaut
• [New] The challenges we face - the relentless grip of climate change, unpredictable rainfall patterns, increasing water scarcity, and a rapidly rising demand for global food production-make efficient irrigation systems a critical pillar for sustainable farming. Farmonaut
• [New] Thousands of dams in the United States may be at risk of failure, and they could have major public health and economic impacts. Live Science
• [New] A top priority in 2026 will be responsive irrigation systems capable of adjusting automatically to changing weather conditions. Conserva Irrigation
• [New] Key initiatives include expanded water recycling, green hydrogen pilots, commissioning desalination plants, shifting to renewable energy sources, and transparency in environmental governance - with a target of net zero emissions by 2040. Farmonaut
• [New] With global water demand exceeding supply and half of the world's population living in areas of high water stress by 2030 (UN), ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation is one of the biggest challenges heading into 2026. Earth Changers
• [New] Water optimization will remain a top operational priority for farmers in 2026. agtechnavigator.com
• [New] Widespread winter drought across the United States has evolved from a climate concern into a significant input-cost risk for businesses, households, and local economies. IMPLAN
• [New] If a positive can be taken from 2026's shark incidents, it will be to reverse some assumptions and restore respect for the ocean. The Sydney Morning Herald
• [New] Colorado is experiencing record-low snowpack, while Lake Mead and Lake Powell have seen dwindling water levels, threatening supplies to states like California and Arizona. Colorado Public Radio
• [New] In Mexico City and Monterrey, smart pipeline upgrades implemented with Amazon and Xylem are expected to save more than 1.3 billion liters of water each year while improving supply reliability for residents. Inside Water
• [New] Spending on AI is forecast to approach US$ 2 trillion by 2026, driving rapid expansion of infrastructure that relies heavily on water for cooling, processing and power generation. Inside Water
• [New] Artificial intelligence is poised to become one of the fastest-growing drivers of global water demand, with new analysis projecting a near-130 per cent increase across the AI value chain by 2050. Inside Water
• [New] The rapid global expansion of artificial intelligence is set to drive a 129% surge in water demand across the AI value chain by 2050. https://www.indianchemicalnews.com/
• [New] Over the next five years, £11 billion of water company investment will improve around 2,500 storm overflows. William Reed - Rethink Events
• [New] Global water systems currently process roughly 320 trillion liters of wastewater annually and lose an estimated 100 trillion liters through ageing infrastructure-volumes that, if recovered, could offset AI's projected demand and reduce stress on freshwater resources. https://www.indianchemicalnews.com/
• [New] The Clean Water Act does not require states to adopt numeric, or numbers-based, nutrient criteria and concluded that the EPA's authorization of narrative standards will support Montana in its work to implement the Clean Water Act and protect state waters. Montana Free Press
• Water companies are currently undergoing a major rollout of smart water meters, with plans to install over 10 million devices by 2030. Michelmores
• Known as forever chemicals, PFAS compounds have been found widely in the environment, including thousands of groundwater sources throughout the U.S. PFAS compounds are currently the #1 emerging threat to water systems. RCAC

Last updated: 07 February 2026