Global Scans · Clean Water and Sanitation · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 6. Ensure availability of water and sanitation for all.

• [New] By 2030, global water demand will exceed supply by approximately 40%, underscoring the urgency of robust water management solutions. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Increasing pressure on global water resources is encouraging industries to adopt water reuse and recycling strategies, creating new opportunities for zero valent iron technologies. 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] 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] The EU established a harmonized methodology under Delegated Decision 2024/1441 for measuring microplastics in drinking water, under Article 13 of the revised Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184). Science and Medicine Group
• [New] No federal testing mandate for microplastics in drinking water will exist before 2031 at the earliest, putting a major potential tranche of compliance-driven instrument procurement - U.S. public utilities - at least five years out. Science and Medicine Group
• [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] Water main pipes is likely to register fast growth projected above 5.6% CAGR, driven by rising water main break rates and municipal drinking water infrastructure investment worldwide across aging distribution networks nationwide requiring proactive rehabilitation ahead of costly emergency repairs. Persistence Market Research
• [New] By providing governments, researchers and farmers with open-access data, we can target water-saving technologies where they will have the greatest impact, improving water productivity while strengthening food security and climate resilience. FAO
• [New] Google introduced water-stewardship principles requiring watershed assessment before new data-centre development and limiting water cooling to resilient sources, with air cooling or recycled water selected where local supplies face high risk. Our Future Water Intelligence
• [New] The estimated yearly spending required to achieve universal water supply and sanitation by 2030 is much more than present levels of investment. 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] In 2030 there might be a 40% global gap between water supply and demand. Straits Research
• [New] U.S. hyperscale data centers are projected to withdraw 150.4 billion gallons of water from 2025 through 2030, driving more than $4 billion in water-related spending. investing.com
• [New] Adaptation measures are crucial for mitigating against credit risk as water stress becomes most relevant to government or corporate credit quality when it affects key industries with limited flexibility to cope with strained supply. Green Central Banking
• [New] To mitigate drought risk, including water storage, efficiency, and demand-side measures, the CCC estimates between £0.9bn and £2.6bn per year is needed. Green Central Banking
• [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] Asia Pacific is projected to register the fastest CAGR, driven by rapid urbanization, expanding municipal infrastructure investment, and increasing modernization of aging water and wastewater networks. Persistence Market Research
• [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] By 2030 the world will need 20 billion cubic meters of desalinated water, and desalination as currently practiced cannot deliver it. Energy Tech Summit
• [New] The EU targets a 10% increase in water efficiency by 2030 through water reuse in agriculture, industry, and public water supply. Euronews
• [New] Water companies are investing £22bn in environmental improvements by 2030. BBC News

Last updated: 30 August 2026