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] As consumers continue to prioritize health optimization and functional nutrition, hydrogen water is expected to secure a strong position within the global beverage industry. openpr
• [New] Field studies consistently show 20-30% water use reduction in orchards using AI-powered precision irrigation, with potential for even greater savings as technology and predictive models improve by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] Most major water savings in 2026 come from using AI-driven irrigation and hybrid systems. Farmonaut
• [New] Aeroponics systems: Can reduce nut crop water use by up to 90% in 2026, but adoption across nut types will depend on rapid R&D advances. Farmonaut
• [New] Water availability per capita in Central Asia has fallen nearly 30% over the past 20 years, while the Caspian Sea's decline and the legacy of the Aral Sea disaster pose additional risks. The Astana Times
• [New] Mexico's persistent shortfalls in deliveries have led to severe water shortages for Rio Grande Valley farmers and ranchers, devastating crops, costing jobs and threatening the local economy. American Ag Network
• [New] Automated AI irrigation systems ensure only the right amount of water is applied, conserving precious resources and supporting compliance with global sustainability standards - especially critical in regions facing severe droughts and water shortages by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] As the global population continues to climb and climate variability presents unprecedented challenges, the advantages of the AI-powered farming system will become central to ensuring food security, protecting the environment, and driving efficiency within every sector reliant on water resources. Farmonaut
• [New] Changing climate patterns, unpredictable rainfall, and water scarcity are no longer hypothetical risks - they are reality for farmers and land managers worldwide. Farmonaut
• [New] Capital expenditures (CAPEX) for U.S. municipal water & wastewater utilities - including spending on pipes, plants, and pumps - are expected to exceed $532 billion between 2016 and 2025. Automation.com
• [New] 2.7 billion people, about 60% of the Asia-Pacific population, have access to water for most of their basic needs but more than 4 billion still remain exposed to unsafe water, degraded ecosystems and escalating climate hazards. Boston Herald
• [New] Based on current trajectories, by 2050 there will be a shortfall of nearly 5 billion liters of water per day in the UK (A summary of England's revised draft regional and water resources management plans, Environment Agency 2024). GOV.UK
• [New] In 2026, we will see companies realize that addressing AI's water consumption is not just about conservation; it's fundamentally rethinking how and where we power intelligence. Salesforce
• Water scarcity As freshwater scarcity grows in markets around the world - and demand for water increases for semiconductor manufacturing and cooling data centers - more water rights conflicts will arise. EY
• By resin type, the water-based resin segment is expected to have the largest revenue share from 2025 to 2034. Precedence Research
• Exxon plans to have a fully operational treatment facility by the end of 2026 as part of its goal to deliver sustainable water solutions for the Permian. Insurance Journal
• The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said in an emailed response to questions that it will not allow treatment plants to discharge wastewater that is dangerous to aquatic life, violates state water quality standards, endangers drinking supplies or threatens human health. Insurance Journal
• Iranian affiliated hackers hit public infrastructure like water facilities, exploiting PLC vulnerabilities to demonstrate they could disrupt physical processes. DeepStrike
• A Ukrainian woman accused of hacking US public drinking water systems and a meat processing facility on behalf of Kremlin-backed cyber groups was extradited to the US earlier in 2025 and will stand trial in early 2026. The Register
• The water transport segment is expected to contract by 4.7% in 2025 and by 0.1% in 2026. / USA atradius
• By around 2030, the probability of a water shortage event is estimated at roughly 1%, rising to about 5% by 2050 as climate change and water demand increase. FoxesSellFaster.com

Last updated: 22 December 2025