The future of desalination lies in efficiency, not just expansion
By 2030, global water demand is set to outpace supply by 40%. This isn't a distant crisis; it's unfolding now. Falling reservoir levels and rising populations are forcing utilities to look beyond... More
Highest Impact Signals
Uncommonly high nitrate levels this month lead Des Moines water treatment plant to run removal system
4 min read
Nature as infrastructure: PFAS as an example of why the water sector must reconsider what it values
9 min read
Turning loss into resilience: The Danish way of reducing leakages
6 min read
Planet Enters Era of ‘Global Water Bankruptcy,’ UN Report Says
6 min read
Water Bankruptcy and Political Collapse
13 min readMost Active Categories
Latest Analysis
Brazil’s water revolution: the rise of the world’s largest sanitation market
Brazil is rewriting its water story. Long marked by uneven access and chronic underinvestment, the country is now at the centre of one of the most ambitious transformations in the global water sector... More
Western U.S. Cities Open Wallets in Quest for Water
Little more than two months ago, on an unusually rainy November evening, the Queen Creek Town Council staked claim to the city’s future. Queen Creek, located in central Arizona southeast of Phoenix, was founded in 1989 but is already home to some 88,000 people. In a unanimous vote, the council appro
New EU-wide regulations on protection against PFAS in drinking water
Under the new regulations, Member States must monitor levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water in a harmonised manner in order to ensure compliance with the new EU limit values. These are set out in the recast Drinking Water Directive. Member States will also be require
Morocco's water reserves exceed 10 billion m³, an unprecedented level since 2018
With available water resources now exceeding 10 billion cubic meters, Morocco is recording an increase of nearly 120% compared to the same period last year, an unprecedented level since 2018. This surge is largely attributed to the More
Water crises in Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro: an opportunity for privatization?
Analysis L21 | Water crises in Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro: an opportunity for privatization? More
The Approaching Crisis: Climate Change, Irrigated Agriculture, and the Water Utility Imperative
The Approaching Crisis: Climate Change, Irrigated Agriculture, and the Water Utility Imperative | E-Score Water :root { --teal: #356873; --burgundy: #9d5460; --coral: #da7585; --tan: #dfcc9d; --gray-g...
Rivers of Death
By Julian Cribb; Jan 11, 2026 Published on Substack The rivers that are the lifeblood of the planet and of human civilisation are dying. Worldwide, the evidence is unequivocal, massive, unchallengeable. Humans are hastening to destroy their main source of food, drink, nature and community, as fast a
Meat tax. Can higher food prices reduce emissions?
How can society be persuaded to adopt a diet based on plant products, which is far more beneficial for the global climate? Scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research (PIK) suggest introducing a meat tax, arguing that expensive hamburgers will encourage people to choose plant-based fo
Sweden adapts rules on materials in contact with drinking water
The government is imposing requirements linked to the EU’s Drinking Water Directive. Manufacturers must ensure that products in contact with drinking water are made from end materials that have been tested and approved in accordance with new EU legislation. The government is proposing amendments to
Calgary's Water Crisis: A $3 Billion Lesson in Why Boring Management Beats Heroic Technology
Independent panel reveals 20 years of systematic operational failures led to Calgary's catastrophic water main ruptures—but conspicuously avoids the labor dynamics that made accountability impossible. When 60% of a city's water supply runs through a pipe classified as "low priority," and zero of thr
Turning loss into resilience: The Danish way of reducing leakages
In times of geopolitical uncertainty, reducing water loss is key to strengthening resilience and ensuring a stable water supply. Denmark currently operates with an average NRW level of just 7.5 percent, among the lowest globally. The result reflects three decades of regulation, and integration of in
Understanding Droughts in North America: What Water Professionals Need to Know
As 85% of the US and 71% of Canadian farmland face drought conditions, water utilities across North America must shift from reactive crisis management to proactive operational protocols. This guide examines drought types, economic impacts exceeding $367 billion in the US alone, and Alberta's landmar
Improving how we track progress for river protection
A landmark 2026 study from Conservation Science Partners introduces the Protected River Index—the most comprehensive assessment of U.S. river protection ever conducted. The findings are sobering: only 12% of America's rivers are adequately protected, while 66% have no protection at all. With freshwa
The New Cyber Risk Challenging America's Water: Modernization Itself
The integration of IT and OT systems has unlocked significant benefits — from enhanced operational visibility to smarter decision-making — and reflects years of hard work and commitment to innovation. This progress is a foundation for the next phase: strengthening defenses in a rapidly changing thre
Water demand for AI expected to surge, new research says
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is set to drive a 129% increase in global water demand across the AI value chain by 2050, according to new research by Xylem and Global Water Intelligence (GWI). A new report, Watering the New Economy: Managing the ImpactsRead More The post Water demand
New Jersey American Water requests rate increase to fund $1.4 billion infrastructure upgrades
New Jersey American Water has filed a rate request with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) aimed at supporting over $1.4 billion in ongoing investments in its water and wastewater systems... More
Why operators are switching to mass-flow based DO-control
Operators across the APAC region have long struggled with the limitations of conventional aeration control systems. Mass-flow-based aeration control More
Alberta expands, adds Water Act exemptions
The Alberta government is expanding Water Act exemptions to make storing and using water easier for stakeholders. The new and expanded exemptions will “increase water availability, improve conservation, support agricultural […] The post Alberta expands, adds Water Act exemptions appeared first on Wa
The chemistry behind cleaner, safer sewers
Effective management of modern wastewater systems requires an understanding of the hazards and risks the system can produce for workers and the environment. Image: Hersaya/stock.adobe.com Utilities have an obligation to provide safe workplaces and better environmental outcomes. To meet these goals,
Planet Enters Era of ‘Global Water Bankruptcy,’ UN Report Says
The planet’s water reserves are overstretched and polluted, pushing the warming world into a dangerous condition of “water bankruptcy,” argues a new UN University report. This is not an alarm bell for the future, the report states. Bankruptcy is present today. For water, the world is living beyond i
Global Soil Degradation Crisis: How Agricultural Practices Are Destroying Both Soil Health and Water Quality
Examining the interconnected failures of soil management and water contamination worldwide More
UK Water Reform: £104 Billion in Infrastructure, But Will Anyone Check if It Works?
The UK's biggest water reforms since 1989 reveal a hard truth: £190 billion in infrastructure failed because nobody checked if it worked. More
Al-Sisi welcomes Trump offer to resume Nile mediation as Sudan backs US initiative
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi welcomed a letter from US President Donald Trump on Saturday offering to relaunch American mediation in the long-running dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), reaffirming Cairo’s commitment to cooperation while stressing that the Nile is the
How Europe’s water utilities can face ageing infrastructure and regulations without doubling staff
At a wastewater treatment plant, where maintenance accounts for 15% to 25% of total operational costs, poor data management carries direct costs At a wastewater treatment plant, where maintenance typically accounts for 15% to 25% of total operational costs, poor data management carries significant d
EU implements stricter monitoring of PFAS in drinking water
New EU regulations require Member States to monitor per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water in line with the updated Drinking Water Directive. Under these rules, Member States... More
Microbiological Testing Depth
Lee County's beach contamination reveals a global water quality monitoring crisis: culture-based testing takes 24-48 hours while contamination events last More
The Dublin Conference: When Water Management Discovered Operational Excellence—Then Promptly Forgot About It
Thirty-three years ago, the International Conference on Water and the Environment produced four brilliant principles that transformed water policy discourse worldwide. Today, utilities spend hundreds of billions on infrastructure while those same principles gather dust on institutional shelves—a pat
Why High-Frequency Water Quality Monitoring Fails Without Operational Protocols
Water utilities worldwide demonstrate a systematic pattern of investing $150,000 to $300,000 in high-frequency sensor networks while rejecting $75,000 to $150,000 investments in operational protocols required to extract value from sensor data. Research published in Environmental Monitoring and Asses
Water: the economic equalizer Davos cannot afford to ignore
When leaders gather in Davos under the World Economic Forum's 2026 theme, "A Spirit of Dialogue," they will focus on cooperation, responsible innovation, and inclusive economic models. If there is... More
Uncommonly high nitrate levels this month lead Des Moines water treatment plant to run removal system
Elevated nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers prompted Central Iowa Water Works to start up its nitrate removal system this month. A network of water quality sensors shows a similar uptick in other streams and rivers across state. More
U.S. House passes energy and water funding bill, but final water allocations still ahead
On Jan. 8, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a three-bill appropriations package that includes the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,... More
Water leak response
Protect your facility from catastrophic water damage. Learn how documented response plans reduce damage costs by 70% through rapid detection and coordinated action. 8 expert steps for 2026. More
The Macro Storm Brewing for Water Utility CFOs
The Macro Storm Brewing for Water Utility CFOs | eScore body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px; color: #333; } h1 { font-size: 2em; ma...
Quebec chemical plant fined $1.35 million for sodium chlorite dumping
The government of Canada ordered Superior General Partner Inc. on Jan. 7 to pay a fine of $1.35 million by the Court of Québec for violating the Fisheries Act. The company […] More
Michigan’s Other Water Crisis: PFAS’s Prevalence in Private Wells
By K.R. Callaway; Inside Climate News December 30, 2025 This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. Seeking peace and quiet amid hectic careers, Sandy Wynn-Stelt and her husband Joel moved to Kent County, Michigan, in 1992. They picked out […] The post Michigan’s Other Water Crisis: PFAS’s Prevalence in Private Wells appeared first on Circle of Blue.
The Best Water Quality by Country
Comprehensive 2026 analysis of global water quality using Yale's Environmental Performance Index reveals dramatic disparities across 180 countries. Seven European nations achieve perfect 100.0 scores through advanced infrastructure and treatment systems, while ten African countries score below 20, f
Water Bankruptcy and Political Collapse
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span>Tehran faces evacuation as Iran's water crisis triggers mass protests. Reservoirs at 13% capacity show the catastrophic cost of prioritizing infrastructure over operations.<br></span></p>
SDG6 Champion of the Year (Global Water Awards 2025)
how Maynilad chose systematic workforce development over expensive pipe replacement when they inherited Asia's oldest water network in 2007, reducing non-revenue water from 67% to 27% through operational protocols rather than capital spending More
The largest natural disasters of 2025 - Water Issues - a newspaper about water: water, rivers, water law, EC
Humanity is paying an ever higher price for runaway climate change. Among the largest natural disasters of 2025, the most dramatic were triggered by extreme weather events. According to preliminary estimates by the Reuters agency, their economic costs exceed 100 billion dollars. Human suffering cannot be priced.
Why Ammonia Control Matters Now
Why Ammonia Control Matters Now" - Covers synergy with climate goals, air quality co-benefits, food security compatibility, and technological readiness More
Permian Basin: The making of a pressure cooker
When Sophisticated Infrastructure Meets Systematic Neglect: The Permian Basin's $2.5 Million Lessons for Water Utilities body { font-family: Georgia, serif; ...
Sovereign desalination map why governments are taking back ownership
Across the Gulf and beyond, governments are quietly reclaiming direct ownership of desalination infrastructure — reversing decades of BOT/BOO privatisation in favour of sovereign control, with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq leading a structural shift in how water security is financed and governed.
After the flames, wildfires pollute drinking water for years
By Qingshi Tu, Loretta Li, and Raul de Leon Rabago When people think about wildfires, they usually think about flames, smoke and evacuations. However, for many communities, some of the […] The post After the flames, wildfires pollute drinking water for years appeared first on Water Canada. More
Calgary city council updates Water Efficiency Plan
Calgary’s city council has approved the city’s updated Water Efficiency Plan with a commitment to reducing water loss and the introduction of a year-round lawn and landscape watering schedule. The […] The post Calgary city council updates Water Efficiency Plan appeared first on Water Canada. More
Water reuse tax credit legislation introduced in Senate
The Senate has introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish a 30 percent investment tax credit to help manufacturers and other industrial entities ramp up their use of recycled water rather than other freshwater supplies. The Advancing Water Reuse Act was introduced by Senators Ben RayRead
Seven EU countries taken to Court for failing to protect critical entities
The European Commission has referred Bulgaria, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden to the European Court of Justice for failing to transpose the Directive on Critical Entities Resilience (CER). Among these critical entities are drinking water companies, water management or
Spain falls foul of wastewater treatment
Spain has been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) by the European Commission for failing to comply with wastewater regulations as set out in the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD). The decision, announced on 29 April, comes after the country´s prolonged non-compl
Broad opposition to new revision Water Framework Directive
This summer, the European Commission will present a proposal to adapt the Water Framework Directive (WFD) to facilitate mining activities. This plan is facing widespread opposition and calls to leave the recently revised WFD unchanged are growing louder. Members of the European Parliament, environme
The $3.8B lesson: What the North Shore settlement teaches Canada about wastewater procurement
It is the resolution the Canadian water sector has been waiting for—and one it will be dissecting for years to come. Just last week, Metro Vancouver and its original contractor, […] The post The $3.8B lesson: What the North Shore settlement teaches Canada about wastewater procurement appeared first
As a Colorado Aquifer Runs Low, Dangerous Heavy Metals Threaten Rural Communities’ Drinking Water
By Emily Payne, Inside Climate News This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News (hyperlink to the original story), a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. Julie Zahringer hears a common refrain at her
Fewer sprays, better outcomes: rethinking weed control in utilities
Image: Envu Vegetation management across utility networks has long been treated as a reactive task, responding to weed outbreaks as they appear. But for asset owners managing substations, corridors and critical infrastructure, […] The post Fewer sprays, better outcomes: rethinking weed control in ut
Why Farmers Distrust Digital Irrigation Technology, According to UOC
Digital irrigation is sold as the automatic answer to Mediterranean drought, but adoption is slower than expected. A study from the Open University of Catalonia, published in Journal of Rural Studies, identifies five types of mistrust — epistemic, ecological, institutional, practical, and relational
Sweden: Low water levels put pressure on water supplies
The Geological Survey of Sweden, SGU, has expanded its warning for low groundwater levels in southeast Sweden. In addition to Gotland, Skåne, Blekinge and Kronoberg, Kalmar and Jönköping counties are now also at risk of water shortage. At the same time, measurements from the Swedish Meteorological a
Financing Europe’s Water Resilience: EIA Engages in High-Level Debate on the Next EU Budget
On 23 April 2026, the European policy institute I-Com hosted a policy breakfast in Brussels titled “Financing Europe’s Water Resilience”, held within the framework of the Cantiere Europa+ project. The meeting gathered institutional representatives, policy experts, and sector stakeholders to examine
New framework prevents pollution urban water runoff
The completion of an innovative project to prevent and manage diffuse pollution from urban runoff is providing benefits to water utilities, policymakers and urban planners. D4Runoff, which commenced in September 2022, has created a framework for prevention and management of this type of under studie
EPA launches WRAP 2.0 water reuse initiative
In April, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin launched the Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) 2.0, a revamped effort from the first Trump administration to accelerate water reuse in the United States. In 2020, the first Trump Administration launched WRAP in partnership wi
How Melbourne is future-proofing its water supply
Melbourne Water managing director Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo. Image: Melbourne Water Globally, water managers face a difficult reality: climate change is outpacing the capacity of our water systems. The United Nations University calls this the risk of water bankruptcy, where systems […] The post How Melbo
Health effects of the Aral Sea environmental disaster
Disappearing lakes are one of the most disturbing symptoms of global climate change - from Central Asia to Africa and South America, entire bodies of water are shrinking, leaving behind dust, salinity and health risks for millions of people. One of the most dramatic examples is the Aral Sea. A recen
How to feed 10 billion people? On the management of water resources in agriculture
Researchers' calculations show that modern agricultural water management (AWM) practices can only sustainably provide food for 3.4 billion people. There is no way they can cover the consumption needs of a population of 10 billion in 2050. Experts at the World Bank suggest what needs to change to cou
Highly Automated vs Labour-Intensive Water Processes: Where the Cost Curves Actually Cross
Across the water sector, two operating models sit side by side: highly automated treatment trains running on SCADA and predictive control, and labour-intensive plants where outcomes still depend on who walks the catwalk at 2 a.m. The gap between them is not just generational — it changes risk, cost,
UBS Flags 130-Year Drought Shock Across America's Breadbasket
UBS analysts say drought conditions across the US agricultural belt are the worst for March since records began in 1895 — and among the three driest months of any kind on record, behind only the 1934 Dust Bowl. With winter wheat crops already stressed and Mississippi River levels sharply down, a sec
Kazakhstan's Water Crisis: When a Deficit Becomes an Economic Ceiling
Kazakhstan is no longer framing its water shortage as an environmental issue — it is framing it as a ceiling on GDP. With a projected 50% shortfall by 2040, conveyance losses of up to 60%, and nearly half of river inflow originating upstream in other countries, the case offers sharp lessons for any
Better oversight of Calgary’s watermain system needed to avoid future failures
Experts agree: Calgary’s multiple watermain woes were inevitable. Siegfried Kiefer led an independent panel who examined the causes of the 2024 Bearspaw South Feeder Main failure and gathered their conclusions […] The post Better oversight of Calgary’s watermain system needed to avoid future failure
Why water utilities need to stop buying filtration media and start buying performance
Image: vicktor/stock.adobe.com Across Australia, most water and wastewater treatment plants are already well designed. They have robust treatment trains, capable operators, and decades of operational knowledge embedded in their teams. Yet many […] The post Why water utilities need to stop buying fil
Droughts and heatwaves: by the end of the 21st century they will threaten 1/3 of the world’s population
Droughts and heatwaves are particularly severe when they occur simultaneously. A new study shows that the frequency of such extreme weather events will increase fivefold by the end of this century. The negative consequences will be felt especially by residents of poor countries in the tropical zone.
Trade associations warn Commission of economic risks of weakening WFD
The European Commission is investigating how to revise the Water Framework Directive to facilitate mining and industrial activities. Last week, eight trade associations sent a warning letter to the European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Ro
EPA designates microplastics, pharmaceuticals as priority contaminants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released for public comment a draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6) that includes microplastics and pharmaceuticals for the first time. The draft list was announced at an event by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin along with a setRead More
Aqualia named among the five best water companies in the world
Global Water Intelligence (GWI) has selected Aqualia as a finalist at the prestigious Global Water Awards 2026, widely known across the water industry as the "Oscars of Water." The Spanish company is competing in two categories: Water Company of the Year, recognizing a year marked by its entry into
US agencies warn water sector of active Iranian cyberattacks
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FBI, CISA, NSA, Department of Energy, and US Cyber Command published a joint advisory, confirming that Iranian-affiliated advanced persistent threat (APT... More
Bluefield: U.S. water, sewer bills rising, outpacing inflation
Global water market data and insights provider Bluefield Research has released an annual report showing that U.S. household water and sewer bills hit a five-year high in 2025, rising 5.1% and outpacing inflation. Bluefield’s annual U.S. Municipal Water & Sewer Rate Index benchmarks utilities in 50 c
Is AI Coming For Your Water?
Communities sound the alarm on data centres using local water and energy supplies to cool their operations. More
The Ground Beneath the Water: Land Access as an Operational Risk Water Utilities Can No Longer Ignore
Urban growth is filling in the buffers around utility corridors. Upstream land conversion is raising treatment costs. Legacy site liabilities are repricing under tighter regulatory timelines. Land-related risk is already inside most water utility budgets — it just hasn't been labeled that way. This
Contracts, Forecasts, and the Silence of Warning Signals: What Really Collapsed Arizona's CAP Irrigation Districts
The collapse of Arizona's CAP irrigation districts in the early 1990s was not an inevitable consequence of geography, drought, or bad luck. It was the predictable outcome of decisions made decades earlier — decisions to commit to infrastructure costs that economic analysis had already shown were una
San Francisco Bay Area utilities enhance stormwater management with advanced radar network
A coalition of public water, wastewater and flood control agencies across the Bay Area that includes the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, has deployed an advanced weather radar network... More
Holy water, blessed water – between mystery and the laboratory lens
A source of life, an all-powerful element and a key part of the purification process – water is deeply rooted in traditional beliefs and constitutes the most universal sacred element in human history. This spiritual symbolism, however, does not protect it from the mundane problem of dangerous pollut
Carney announces new national nature strategy
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new $3.8 billion nature strategy, A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature, with a strong marine and watershed component on March 31. […] The post Carney announces new national nature strategy appeared first on Water Canada. More
The 36 areas in the UK facing water shortages by 2035 – mapped
Parts of Lincolnshire, London and Surrey face worst supply problems as experts warn over climate change, population growth and poor infrastructure More
Newfoundland announces 2026 Operator of the Year winners
Newfoundland’s 2026 Operator of the Year Awards were announced on March 25 at the annual Water and Wastewater Workshop held in Gander, Nfld. Provincial minister of environment, conservation and climate […] The post Newfoundland announces 2026 Operator of the Year winners appeared first on Water Cana
Victoria’s best tasting tap water for 2026 crowned
Image: Prime Creative Media Coliban Water’s Bendigo Water Treatment Plant has been named Victoria’s best tasting tap water for 2026. The winner was announced at the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water competition during the WIOA Conference in […] The post Victoria’s best tasting tap water for 2026 crowned a
Brussels calls on Portugal to ensure periodic review of water control measures
The national law in Portugal does not correctly transpose the obligation set out in the Water Framework Directive to periodically review water control measures to monitor water abstractions and impoundments, and other significant adverse impacts on the status of water. The European Commission sent a
Nature as infrastructure: PFAS as an example of why the water sector must reconsider what it values
Discover the importance of protecting our natural systems while tackling the increasingly pervasive issue of PFAS. The post Nature as infrastructure: PFAS as an example of why the water sector must reconsider what it values appeared first on Innovation News Network. More
EPA seeking input on CWA Financial Capability Guidance
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public input on its Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) guidance. This non-regulatory guidance is an important resource that helps local water bills remain affordable as wastewater systems plan for needed infrastructure upgr
PepsiCo Achieves 100% Water Replenishment at High-Risk Manufacturing Sites
PepsiCo reports full water replenishment at high-risk facilities and expands AWS standards adoption, advancing its net water positive goal amid rising global water stress. More
When the Taps Go Dark
Qatar operates desalination plants producing 538 million gallons per day. Bahrain depends on desalination for 85% of its drinking water. Kuwait for 90%. Gulf states have invested $53.4 billion in the infrastructure since 2006. Then, in March 2026, war targeted those plants. Iranian drones struck Bah
U.S. faces massive drinking water infrastructure investment shortfall, warns AWWA report
The AWWA report projects that the average annual bill for drinking water could rise from $429 in 2025 to $969 by 2050, an increase of 126%. The AWWA report projects that the average annual bill for drinking water could rise from $429 in 2025 to $969 by 2050 More
Channel 4 Drama Dirty Business Exposes Sewage Scandal
As winter lingers and audiences look for gripping new television, Channel 4’s latest docudrama, Dirty Business, has burst onto the scene, turning the spotlight… More
The First Water Utility Manager: Frontinus vs. Modern Utilities
In 97 AD, Sextus Julius Frontinus inherited Rome's nine aqueducts—800 km of conduit serving over one million people—and found a system crippled not by poor engineering but by poor management. Leaks, theft, silted channels, and neglected maintenance drained capacity that never reached citizens. His r
The Grab: Why Every Water Operator Should Watch This Documentary
Gabriela Cowperthwaite's award-winning documentary follows investigative journalists uncovering how sovereign powers, corporations, and mercenary groups are racing to control the world's food and water supplies. For water operators managing canals, reservoirs, and irrigation infrastructure, the mess
The Water Paradox: When Mismanagement Matters More Than Scarcity
Edward Barbier asks the question every water professional should confront: if water is so valuable and increasingly scarce, why is it so consistently mismanaged? His answer — spanning millennia, dozens of countries, and rigorous economic analysis — concludes that the global water crisis is not prima
Massive investment gap looms for the European water sector
In order to meet the requirements of existing water legislation Member States require an additional annual average investment of €23 billion according to European Commission estimates. Current investment in the EU water services sector averages €33 billion per year (excluding figures for Croatia, Th
Rescue Engineers invests to address new California hexavalent chromium regulations
Rescue Engineers announced Feb. 12 it will invest several million dollars to increase its operational capacity for the California public water utilities market to address new regulations involving hexavalent chromium. […] The post Rescue Engineers invests to address new California hexavalent chromiu
Water Is Fashion’s Blind Spot. That Is Now a Business Risk
As water scarcity accelerates across global fashion supply chains, sustainability claims are colliding with a much harsher reality on the ground - and translating into measurable business continuity risk. The post Water Is Fashion’s Blind Spot. That Is Now a Business Risk appeared first on The Inter
Sixth year of drought in Texas and Oklahoma leaves ranchers bracing for another harsh summer
The Southern Plains states get a severe drought about once a decade, but long-lasting droughts lately have been leaving farms, rangeland and water sources with too little time to recover. More
Ofwat publishes final Climate Change Principles for England and Wales’ water sector
Ofwat has published its Final Climate Change Principles, setting out a principles-based framework to guide how water companies respond to the growing risks posed by climate change. The regulator... More
Torrential ‘Atmospheric River’ hits Southern Spain
Since the beginning of 2026, Spain has been hit by seven major storms. This train of storms is trapped between two high‑pressure systems and therefore continues to discharge rainfall over the same region. That is why this is called an ‘Atmospheric River’. According to Juanma Moreno, president of the
Reframing Data Center Water Use: Context, Challenges & Solutions
As AI pervades every sector, data center water consumption is under scrutiny—but the headlines often miss the nuance. While global DC water use is projected to reach 3 trillion liters annually by 2025 (potentially 7× higher by 2050 without mitigation), context matters: 60% of the water footprint com
Copper's Record Rally: Why Boring Management Matters More Than Ever for Water Utilities
Copper prices hit record highs above $13,000/tonne. For utilities facing EPA lead pipe mandates, operational excellence—not bigger budgets—determines survival More
Three Water Markets, Three Pricing Philosophies: Why Operational Frameworks Matter More Than the Price Tag
"Comparing water pricing structures in Australia's Murray-Darling Basin, California, and Alberta reveals a universal truth: without systematic operational protocols, even the most sophisticated market mechanisms fail to deliver reliable water service." More
Get water intelligence delivered to your inbox.
Join our readers for the latest briefs on risk, regulation, and performance across the global water sector.