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] Public water systems have until 2029 to reduce PFAS in drinking water. WRDW-TV/WAGT-TV
• [New] With US$ 1 billion in EPA funding now flowing to states for PFAS remediation, the contrast between clean bottled water and contaminated tap water will only sharpen. Yahoo Finance
• [New] The near-total absence of sanitation and fecal sludge treatment infrastructure in Gabon results in widespread contamination of surface and groundwater and a heightened risk of waterborne diseases. Mirage News
• [New] Big announcements for drinking water and sanitation in villages continue to face implementation challenges, despite fresh allocations in the Union Budget for 2026-27. Down To Earth
• [New] A roll-out of smart metering and mandatory efficiency labels on items like dishwashers and washing machines will help households monitor their water use and cut costs - delivering savings of £125 million on water and energy bills over the next decade. William Reed - Rethink Events
• [New] The Clean Water Act does not require states to adopt numeric, or numbers-based, nutrient criteria and concluded that the EPA's authorization of narrative standards will support Montana in its work to implement the Clean Water Act and protect state waters. Montana Free Press
• [New] AI-related water withdrawal is estimated at 4.2 to 6.6 billion cubic meters by 2027, equivalent to four times Denmark's annual water consumption. Natixis - Natixis CIB
• [New] As the UK water sector awaits the regulatory decisions that will ensure a rapid rollout of reuse, it is already clear that IPR will play a large role in securing national water supplies. Water Magazine
• [New] Big Oil now wants to overturn a science-based decision, and will not settle for anything less than being given license to discharge its waste to New Mexico's water resources. Western Environmental Law Center
• [New] The rapid global expansion of artificial intelligence is set to drive a 129% surge in water demand across the AI value chain by 2050. https://www.indianchemicalnews.com/
• [New] Water companies are currently undergoing a major rollout of smart water meters, with plans to install over 10 million devices by 2030. Michelmores
• [New] Extreme weather events, identified as the top long-term risk in the WEF report, are the lived reality in Bangladesh and will continue to stress infrastructure, agriculture, water systems, and the urban environment. The Daily Star
• [New] By 2047, treated used-water could meet substantial industrial and irrigation demand in India, unlocking a Rs3 lakh crore economic opportunity. Hindustan Times
• [New] With global initiatives promoting clean water access and sanitation, municipal demand for treatment chemicals is expected to remain strong over the coming years. EIN Presswire
• [New] Known as forever chemicals, PFAS compounds have been found widely in the environment, including thousands of groundwater sources throughout the U.S. PFAS compounds are currently the #1 emerging threat to water systems. RCAC
• [New] The water industry is currently undergoing a major expansion in capital works, with over £100bn set to be invested in new, upgraded and maintained infrastructure in the five years to 2030. New Civil Engineer
• [New] The $7.4 million in funding is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act and will assist communities and utility districts across Tennessee with long-term planning for their water and sewer systems. businessfacilities.com
• [New] Water bankruptcy is not a series of isolated local crises, but a shared global risk that demands a new type of response. CSO Futures
• [New] By late 2027, 80% of AI data centers will report resource consumption metrics such as water use and pollution, setting new expectations for environmental accountability and community impact. IDC

Last updated: 08 February 2026