Our Scans · (LF.6) Clean Water and Sanitation · Weekly Summary

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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] The proposed new capital in the Makran region could transform Iran's southern coast into an economic powerhouse, leveraging ports for trade and desalination plants for water security. WebProNews
• [New] Iran's capital, Tehran, a sprawling metropolis of over 10 million inhabitants, is grappling with an existential threat: it's running out of water. WebProNews
• [New] New Pacific Institute Report Finds Huge Potential to Save Water Across the U.S. Pacific Institute
• [New] If EPA adds microplastics to the UCMR, it will trigger mandatory monitoring of microplastic levels in public water systems and pave the way for potential federal regulations and litigation. Crowell & Moring - Microplastics Update: Regulatory and
• [New] An estimated $3.4 trillion will be needed over the next two decades to bring drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure up to date. Governing
• [New] Iraq's vulnerability is stark: more than 70% of its water flows from neighboring countries, with Turkey alone supplying half, Iran 15%, and Syria 5%, as reported by the Ministry of Water Resources. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] Water privatization has sparked protests in Latin America and Africa, where communities fear loss of access and rising costs. ""
• [New] The water industry's 2050 commitment to halve leakage would reduce the overall rate of leakage to around 13% by 2050. GOV.UK
• [New] The national rollout of smart water meters across England will empower households and businesses to use water more efficiently. GOV.UK
• [New] Project Cedar, which will be built somewhere in the U.S. and operational in 2026, is being designed with four HDAC modules capable of capturing 3,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, and will also produce more than 6,000 tons of clean water annually. NewsData, LLC
• [New] By managing risks across the entire sanitation chain, Indonesia is protecting both people and the environment. World Health Organization: WHO
• [New] Ecological sanitation systems are recovering nutrients and energy from human waste, transforming disposal problems into resource recovery opportunities in several countries, among them Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and South Africa. Think Global Health
• [New] In India's urban slums, bio-toilets offer safe sanitation while mitigating gender-based safety risks. Think Global Health
• [New] United Utilities' plans include upgrading over 900 km of water mains and reducing storm overflows by more than 60% by 2030. New Civil Engineer
• [New] Anglian Water is aiming to develop plans for two new reservoirs, establish wetlands covering an area equivalent to 100 football pitches and renew 695 km of vulnerable pipes while Yorkshire Water will refurbish five reservoirs and replace 746 km of mains. New Civil Engineer
• [New] Some of the bigger specific projects expected to be delivered in AMP8 include Thames Water's plans to replace 500 km of water mains, install 1M smart meters and commission the Tideway Tunnel. New Civil Engineer
• [New] Water shortages pose a serious security risk in Iran. The Conversation
• [New] Iran is facing water and gas shortages that could lead to internal instability. Critical Threats
• [New] Bangladesh's accession could reshape regional water diplomacy, giving it an international legal platform to press for fairer water-sharing agreements with India, especially regarding the Teesta and Ganga rivers. INSIGHTS IAS - Simplifying UPSC IAS Exam Preparation
• [New] In Tehran, the majority of dams supplying drinking water are empty, with President Masoud Pezeshkain warning that water rationing and evacuations could become a possibility in the coming months. Forbes
• [New] Prioritizing drinking water in cities such as Tehran and the temporary diverting of less critical usage could be effective quickly as short-term steps. Deutsche Welle
• Without faster permitting, innovation-ready designs, and congressional reauthorization of SRF funding beyond 2026, the clean-water gap could surpass $800 billion, threatening compliance, modernization, and public health. EFCG

Last updated: 24 November 2025