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, global water demand will exceed supply by approximately 40%, underscoring the urgency of robust water management solutions. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The U.S. Department of Energy finalized standards requiring over 50% of newly manufactured electric storage water heaters to use heat pump technology by 2029. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Industrial water utilities are expected to register the fastest growth, expanding at a CAGR of 13.9% between 2026 and 2033, driven by sustainability commitments, water reuse initiatives, and rising freshwater costs across manufacturing, mining, and power generation industries. Persistence Market Research
• [New] In the United States, enforceable drinking water limits of 4 nanograms per liter for PFOA and PFOS are already in place, with compliance required by 2031. Smart Water Magazine
• [New] AI-powered data centers are becoming significant consumers of electricity and water, with demand expected to increase substantially by 2030. GCC BUSINESS WATCH
• [New] Water and food security will form another major pillar of WGES 2026, reflecting the growing pressure that climate change is placing on essential resources. GCC BUSINESS WATCH
• [New] Water scarcity is already evident, and according to UN projections, by 2040, water shortages could reach 50% of total demand. Frontiers
• [New] Fastest Growing Region: Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region, projected at a 13.7% CAGR fueled by rapid urbanization, water scarcity, and large-scale government-backed smart city programs. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Water consumption is forecast to more than triple by 2030 (664 billion liters in total). Greenpeace Australia Pacific
• [New] The brutal conditions are likely to drag on - and possibly intensify - in 2027 because there is a lag of about three months between the peak of El Nino warming in the Pacific Ocean and temperature rises elsewhere in the world. The Guardian
• [New] Copernicus warns of 'unprecedented strain' on world's oceans as El Nino and climate change drive up sea surface temperatures. Al Jazeera
• [New] Drought affects large parts of Europe since spring, with forecast reporting warmer and drier weather into September, with continued risk of heatwaves. Joint Research Centre
• [New] Sprinkler irrigation is the fastest-growing segment, projected to advance at an 8.0% CAGR through 2031, while mature dealer networks help preserve volumes, new sales skew toward variable-rate configurations that integrate soil probes and flow meters. Mordor Intelligence
• [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

Last updated: 29 August 2026