Our Scans · (LF.6) 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] The global water crisis, driven partly by climate change, could leave two-thirds of humanity facing water stress by 2026, with water scarcity becoming a critical issue for an increasing number of countries. NewsBreak
• [New] The global water crisis is increasing, with more than two billion people already without access to safe drinking water and global water demand projected to exceed supply by 40% as early as 2030. Walker Morris
• [New] India's 2025 wastewater reuse policies mark a critical shift from treating only 28% of urban sewage to mandatory circular water management, addressing both environmental challenges and economic opportunities worth INR 630 million. SUSBIO | Sewage Treatment Plant | Packaged STP
• [New] India's approach to water sustainability will see a major shift with new wastewater reuse policies in 2025. SUSBIO | Sewage Treatment Plant | Packaged STP
• [New] New residential societies must start with 20% water recycling by 2027 and reach 50% by 2030-31. SUSBIO | Sewage Treatment Plant | Packaged STP
• [New] The first year of AMP8 (2025 to 2026) will be a critical moment for smart water metering across England. GOV.UK
• [New] Defra's Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 aims to achieve a 9% net reduction in non-household water use by 2037 to 2038, from 2019 to 2020 levels. GOV.UK
• [New] We expect a substantial shift in activity during 2025 to 2026 to increase smart water meter installations across England and help empower customers to be more water efficient. GOV.UK
• [New] The deployment of AI servers across the United States could generate an annual water footprint ranging from 731 to 1,125 million m3 and additional annual carbon emissions from 24 to 44 Mt CO2-equivalent between 2024 and 2030, depending on the scale of expansion. Nature
• [New] Experts warn that with drought pressures already straining UK water resources, utilities must strengthen cyber defences to protect critical infrastructure. IGS - Legally Trained Consultants
• [New] Currently, UK law only requires water utilities to report cyberattacks if they cause disruption, but the proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (2025) would expand mandatory reporting. IGS - Legally Trained Consultants
• [New] Day Zero Drought conditions are approaching rapidly worldwide, putting vast populations at risk of severe water scarcity. SciTechDaily
• [New] Europe's drying trend will have far-reaching impacts, hitting food security, farming and water-dependent ecosystems, especially groundwater-fed habitats. The Guardian
• [New] Water scarcity threatens to erase up to 14% of GDP by 2050. Informed Comment
• [New] Decarbonization within the Humberside industrial cluster could push Anglian Water into water deficit by 2030, leading to a shortage of 130m liters a day by 2050, while plans around the north-west cluster could push United Utilities into a deficit of around 70m liters a day by 2030. The Guardian
• 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
• 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 Pacific Institute Report Finds Huge Potential to Save Water Across the U.S. Pacific Institute
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Water privatization has sparked protests in Latin America and Africa, where communities fear loss of access and rising costs. ""

Last updated: 01 December 2025