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] Google will evaluate projects on the basis of volumetric benefits (in millions of gallons per year MGY) following the Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting 2.0 Guidance as the industry standard. Google Data Centers
• [New] Google aims to replenish more freshwater than we consume by 2030 and help improve water quality and ecosystem health in the communities where we operate. Google Data Centers
• [New] Protecting 30% of Canada's ocean by 2030 is science-based, achievable, and essential to ensure a sustainable future. Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
• [New] In the North Atlantic, well-designed MPA networks safeguarding 30-40% of the deep ocean could protect about 75% of species, like coral and sponges, that provide habitats for many other marine animals. Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
• [New] 87% of the world's ocean has been disturbed by human activities like industrial fishing and shipping, and the impacts of human activities on the ocean are estimated to more than double by 2050. Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
• [New] The world's oceans will become increasingly warmer and acidic, sea levels will continue to rise, and storm and ocean circulation patterns will be altered because of anthropogenic inputs of carbon in the atmosphere. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Forecasts show the ocean economy could surpass US$ 5 trillion by the early 2030s, growing 6 to 8% annually, with even higher growth in offshore renewables, sustainable aquaculture, ocean data, and advanced technologies. Ocean News & Technology
• [New] In South Punjab, Pakistan, water insecurity increased women's and girls' vulnerability to harassment and gender - and caste-based violence, including sextortion. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] In South Africa, women were particularly affected by the constant fear of water shortages. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] With the drought that challenges Utah, diverting water to more AI data centers might force citizens to bear the burden of poor regulation. Forward Utah
• [New] As water scarcity becomes a global concern, industries are expected to intensify reuse efforts, significantly increasing long-term demand for specialty treatment chemicals. Persistence Market Research
• [New] When the hydrogel lifetime increases from a day to over a month, water production costs could drop by an order of magnitude, reaching levels approaching competitive with conventional municipal tap water pricing in some U.S. cities. AZOM
• [New] A widespread hazard: Corporations' reckless and federally unregulated use of PFAS has poisoned the drinking water of up to 200 million people across the U.S. Earthjustice
• [New] Without intervention, England will face severe water shortages in the coming decades, as climate change-induced weather patterns, population growth and the expansion of industries such as water-intensive datacenters put excessive demand on supplies and endanger life. The Guardian
• [New] Canal authorities are preparing for the possible return of El Nino later in 2026 after the devastating 2023-2024 drought crisis forced transit restrictions and triggered major global shipping disruptions. gCaptain
• [New] By 2050, 92% of homes will overheat, peak river flows will be up to 45% higher and water supply shortfalls could exceed five billion liters per day. / UK Engineering and Technology Magazine
• [New] The World Economic Forum continues ranking water crises among the most severe long-term global risks. Kalkine
• [New] Expected to launch by 2027, NASA's robotic rover VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) will use spectrometers and an onboard drill to scout the lunar south pole for signs of water ice and helium. Scientific American
• [New] The EPA proposes six control measure options that applicable water systems could select and implement to reduce PFOA and PFOS concentrations and provide information for consumers to decrease their exposure to PFAS. Federal Register
• [New] A potentially powerful El Nino is expected to develop in the Pacific Ocean, and forecasters say it could grow into a rare super El Nino later in 2026. Boston.com

Last updated: 30 May 2026