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 world is projected to face a 40% shortfall between demand and available water supply by 2030. Precedence Research
• [New] Despite investment from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), water infrastructure will require significant additional investment, with the EPA estimating $625 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years. Capstone DC
• [New] Most major water savings in 2026 come from using AI-driven irrigation and hybrid systems. Farmonaut
• [New] Field studies consistently show 20-30% water use reduction in orchards using AI-powered precision irrigation, with potential for even greater savings as technology and predictive models improve by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] Aeroponics systems: Can reduce nut crop water use by up to 90% in 2026, but adoption across nut types will depend on rapid R&D advances. Farmonaut
• [New] Spending on data centers, in which the computing for AI is done, is expected to top $4.5 trillion and is already putting enormous pressure on supplies of electricity and water, and is helping push coal consumption to its new record. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] If snowpack remains low all winter, that could mean low snowmelt in early 2026, which has ripple-down impacts on the entire Colorado River Basin and means less water for everyone. Colorado Public Radio
• [New] Mexico's persistent shortfalls in deliveries have led to severe water shortages for Rio Grande Valley farmers and ranchers, devastating crops, costing jobs and threatening the local economy. American Ag Network
• [New] Settlement proceeds from 3M and DuPont began flowing to utilities and water systems in summer 2025, enabling them to begin deploying capital toward treatment infrastructure more effectively in 2026. Capstone DC
• [New] As the Trump administration's focus on per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances has become clearer over the last year, many water systems will be required to begin installing systems to meet the EPA's updated PFAS drinking water standards. Capstone DC
• [New] A lab in Melbourne has developed cardboard-confined rammed earth, a composite made using only soil, water and recycled cardboard, which could potentially replace cement, the most polluting material in modern construction. WION
• [New] The APAC region is expected to experience the fastest growth, driven by Japan's early leadership in hydrogen water technology, rising urbanization, and increasing disposable income across emerging economies. openpr
• [New] Automated AI irrigation systems ensure only the right amount of water is applied, conserving precious resources and supporting compliance with global sustainability standards - especially critical in regions facing severe droughts and water shortages by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2050, 3.3 billion people - one third of the planet - will face water stress. United Nations Environment Programme
• [New] Climate change, left unchecked, will expose about 1.1 billion more people to heavy rains and an additional 900 million people to intense drought by 2050. United Nations Environment Programme
• [New] Governments currently meet only 40% of the estimated $4 trillion in investment, or roughly $250 billion annually, in funding needed for water and sanitation from 2025-2040. Boston Herald
• [New] Asian nations will need $4 trillion for water and sanitation between 2025 and 2040 - $250 billion a year, the Asian Development Bank said in a report released Monday. Boston Herald
• [New] Up to 216 million people could be forced to migrate within their own countries by 2050, seeking better living conditions as water becomes scarce, agricultural productivity declines, and sea levels rise. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] By 2050, more than 75,000 homes and 20,000 acres of wetlands could be at risk. The Dirt
• [New] Exxon plans to have a fully operational treatment facility by the end of 2026 as part of its goal to deliver sustainable water solutions for the Permian. Insurance Journal

Last updated: 27 December 2025