Global Scans · Water · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Global demand for fresh water is expected to outpace sustainable supply by 40% in 2030. Global water demand will climb in tandem with population and economic growth. At least two-thirds of the world's population will face 'water stress' by 2025 and the number of people affected by floods could increase by a factor of three by 2100 bring significant risk of unrest and conflict. The UN Security Council will have to declare water a strategic resource of humanity and adopt a resolution to protect water resources and installations. Organizations will be expected to play their part in conserving water.

• [New] Oxygen is disappearing from oceans, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters at an alarming rate, threatening aquatic life and weakening the natural processes that help regulate Earth's climate. ScienceDaily
• [New] Eastern Border Cities: Urban areas in Eastern New Mexico, most notably Clovis and Portales, are facing severe long-term threats to their survival as their primary water reserves dry up. Coyote Gulch
• [New] New Mexico will lose 25% to 30% of its available water by 2050. Coyote Gulch
• [New] In recent years, pesticide labels have undergone significant changes as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented new requirements aimed at protecting endangered species, reducing off-target movement, improving water quality and minimizing risks to applicators and the environment. Citrus Industry Magazine
• [New] The Bay Area Air District's new rules speed that transition by phasing out the sale of gas water heaters starting in 2027 (Rule 9-6) and gas furnaces starting in 2029 (Rule 9-4). SPUR
• [New] The MDJV (Multiplex Degr? mont Joint Venture) Alliance has produced a design that is unmatched and will result in the most sophisticated seawater desalination plant in the world, the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant. Water Finance & Management
• [New] More than 80% of drought impacts on agriculture globally are projected to hit low- and middle-income countries. Mapshock
• [New] Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa face limited access to irrigation, agricultural inputs, and modern technologies, combined with weak adaptive capacity and inadequate infrastructure, which drives rising food prices, reduced dietary diversity, and increased risks of hunger and malnutrition. Mapshock
• [New] Global warming-fuelled heat and drought is already hitting yields of maize, wheat, and soybeans to the tune of $20 billion a year, with losses that could rise eightfold to $160 billion by 2100 unless emissions are cut. Mapshock
• [New] Forecasters warn that rivers - including the San Antonio, Medina, Nueces and Frio - could continue rising as runoff moves downstream. Houston Public Media
• [New] The seasonal forecasts (Apr 2026-Mar 2027) project El Nino shifting China's water balance: the southeast coast will transition from deficits to moderate surpluses beginning during Jul-Sep 2026 and intensifying during Oct-Dec 2026. ISCIENCES
• [New] The UN urged all countries to bolster early warning systems after confirming the onset of El Nino, warning that the Pacific Ocean-warming phenomenon will bring above-average temperatures nearly everywhere and fuel more extreme weather. UNifeed
• [New] The UAE recently launched the Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform, a $2 billion initiative aimed at improving water security for 10 million people by 2030, backed by a $1 billion commitment from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. The National
• [New] A 30% water use reduction during a water shortage could shrink economic output by US$ 100 M. Nature
• [New] If current conditions remain unchanged and water demand continues to outweigh the shrinking supply base of the Colorado River, households and businesses in the American West will experience further water shortages combined with higher water prices. The Conference Board
• [New] A rapidly intensifying El Nino weather pattern is threatening to bring severe flooding, disease and drought to some of the world's most vulnerable communities across East Africa and Asia, a humanitarian organization has warned. Al Jazeera
• [New] Ofwat has published its first artificial intelligence adoption plan for the water sector, outlining how AI could support operational efficiency, environmental performance and regulatory oversight across UK water companies. Water Industry Hub
• [New] Google has announced it will replenish more water than it consumes by 2030 and invest $500 million globally in water reuse and watershed restoration. Water Industry Hub
• [New] By 2030, data center water consumption for AI cooling and electricity generation could reach 9.3 trillion liters - enough to meet global drinking water needs for 1.6 years. Water Industry Hub
• [New] A projected 5 billion liter daily shortfall by 2055 is driving nine new reservoirs, six desalination plants, and a demand management programme that will shape AMP9 and beyond. Water Industry Hub

Last updated: 25 July 2026