Water resources under pressure - explore the key solutionsSafeguarding water resources is essential not only for life, but for economic security...
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network
Safeguarding water resources is essential not only for life, but for economic security, societal well-being, and ecological stability. Industry and governments are responding to growing water insecurity with innovative solutions.
from Andrew Patrick, LGT Wealth Management Date 8 January 2026 Reading time 4 minutes
As Benjamin Franklin famously noted, "When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." Water stress, defined as demand exceeding supply for at least one month a year, now affects half the world's population each year. According to UN Water, over 5 billion people will be affected by 2050.
Data centres in particular, and many manufacturing processes, are also significant users of water. Here new solutions like membrane-based desalination and closed-loop recycling are being used at certain facilities to reduce reliance on fresh-water.
Addressing infrastructure and pollution issues
While corporations are embedding water stewardship into strategic planning and reporting, regulators and governments are also responding. New policies and pricing mechanisms are increasing the visibility of water risk in countries, sectors, and supply chains. Governments are driving investment through regulation and infrastructure funding.
Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 6, i.e., clean water and sanitation, faces tough challenges, including pollution, ageing infrastructure, and insufficient investment. Infrastructure issues are a particularly big problem. Decades- or even century-old water pipes in developed markets frequently break or leak, causing enormous water loss and expense. Emerging markets face underdeveloped and overstretched supply networks. Pollution is exacerbating the challenge, as untreated wastewater and agricultural runoff contaminate existing supplies, increasing health and treatment costs.
While the size of the fresh-water problem can seem overwhelming, listed and unlisted markets including a growing range of companies and projects that offer technologies and services tailored to water efficiency, treatment and infrastructure.
Attached link
https://www.lgt.com/ch-en/market-assessments/insights/investment-strategies/water-324758Taxonomy
- Water Pollution
- Water Supply
- Pollution
- Water Supply
- Infrastructure
- Water Supply Regulation