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] Forecasts from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration leave open the possibility of a stronger event, with a 25% chance of a very strong El Nino and a 50% chance of a strong one, based on projected ocean warming of at least 1.5 ° Celsius (2.7 ° Fahrenheit) above average. Reccessary
• [New] Indonesian agencies have at times referred to the potential event as a Godzilla El Nino, a nonscientific term used to describe an unusually strong episode that could significantly intensify drought and fire risk. Reccessary
• [New] Experts warn there's a 61% chance of the El Nino climate phenomenon striking by mid-2026; historically for the Caribbean region, El Nino has brought heatwaves, drought and crop failure. UN News
• [New] A strong El Nino would put 2027 in the running to break global heat records, and could produce a series of devastating effects, ranging from supercharged rainstorms to drought depending on the region of the world. The Guardian
• [New] US hydropower generation is expected to recover in 2026, even as snow drought conditions in parts of the western US constrain water availability. International Water Power
• [New] Warmer winters and early snowmelt are expected to limit water supply, but overall generation is still forecast to increase from last year. International Water Power
• [New] People in Palm Springs and the whole Coachella Valley will have to cut water consumption by 40% by 2040. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Water demand is projected to surpass supply by 30% by 2030, placing a binding physical ceiling on the most water-intensive industries unless governance and infrastructure catch up. The Rio Times
• [New] Perimeter Solutions is positioned to benefit from a potentially severe 2026 wildfire season amid high temperatures, drought, and increased fire risk. Seeking Alpha
• [New] Forecast seasonal water supply volumes from the California-Nevada River Forecast Center have dropped; most locations are forecast to receive 50-75% of median April-July runoff. Drought.gov
• [New] Russian forces will likely shift their long-range strike campaign toward Ukrainian water supply and logistics targets in Spring-Summer 2026 following their campaign against energy infrastructure in Winter 2025-2026. Critical Threats
• [New] Water consumption for cooling AI data centers is predicted to double or even quadruple by 2028 compared to 2023. IEEE Spectrum
• [New] Drinking water infrastructure and other needs will require $2.1 to $2.4 trillion over the next 25 years. American Water Works Association
• [New] Water security is quickly becoming an existential threat for most nations on Earth, including parts of the U.S. earth.com
• [New] A serious water crisis threatens over sixty-four thousand residents in a major United States public water system, with engineers warning of total failure by April eighteenth, twenty twenty-six. Spreaker
• [New] By 2050, around 6 billion people may face insufficient access to clean water. Daily Sabah
• [New] Global water demand is projected to increase by 20-30% by 2050, driven by population growth and economic development. Seametrics
• [New] By 2030, the world could face a 40% gap between global water demand and available supply if current trends continue. Seametrics
• [New] Droughts are predicted to increase markedly over the next 20 years, with currently about 60-75% of people globally experiencing some form of water stress every year. Seametrics

Last updated: 18 April 2026