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] 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
• [New] Some residual risks remain for water companies in East Anglia and South East England with lower than expected reservoir levels and variable groundwater recharge. GOV.UK
• [New] Water companies could increase bills by 36% between 2025 and 2030. The Guardian
• [New] The public water systems must implement solutions to reduce PFAS concentrations to acceptable levels by 2029. sustainalytics.com
• [New] Leveraging the Moon as an 8th Continent launch pad will enable more efficient deep-space propulsion (lunar water ice deposits, Helium-3 mining, regolith processing) and permanent human-occupied outposts (Artemis base, International Lunar Research Center, Moon Village). Space Calendar - The First Space Calendar on the Moon
• [New] America's bridges, water systems, and even waste-processing infrastructure are under threat as well. Chaikin Analytics
• [New] The urgency for climate adaptation in developing economies is staggering, with annual funding needs projected to hit $300 billion by 2030 to safeguard infrastructure, agriculture, and water systems from climate impacts. Council Fire
• [New] Research from UNRIC shows that global AI-related water demand is projected to increase exponentially. AIMultiple
• [New] Environmental practices in 2026 prioritize water recycling, tailings stability, and minimal land disruption. Farmonaut
• [New] Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule Starting in mid-2023 and continuing through early 2026, the EPA has been releasing the much-anticipated PFAS occurrence data for public drinking water systems through the UCMR 5. Manko Gold Katcher & Fox

Last updated: 01 February 2026