Desalination technology is a strong candidate to treat salty water for data centers' cooling needs, reducing pressure on local water supplies. Researchers found that using brackish groundwater and clean it using two-stage reverse osmosis achieves high levels of freshwater recovery at low cost and relatively low energy use.
Researchers propose a new approach to operationalize the Water Planetary Boundary to guide water management and planning at the river-basin level. The framework focuses on key water functions and considers local social and environmental needs to prevent water overuse and cascading effects.
New research shows how precision agriculture can save up to 15% of water needed to produce tomatoes and grapes, while improving yield and fruit quality. By using sensors to shield plants from weather stress, farmers can also test fruit quality without damaging the crop.
African water conflicts are driven by uncertainty over water availability under extreme climate conditions, rather than an absolute lack of water. Advanced water modeling can provide a shared foundation for managing transboundary water resources and resolving disputes.
Researchers investigate interfacial water structure and reactivity in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution at TiO2 interfaces. Weaker water-TiO2 interactions and more flexible hydrogen-bond networks favor higher interfacial water reactivity, enabling photocatalyst design with improved performance.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have demonstrated that incorporating satellite measurements of water vapor isotopes into weather models improves forecasts of atmospheric conditions. This addition leads to more accurate weather forecasts, particularly for heavy rainfall predictions.
Researchers partnered with Navajo Nation tribal leaders to educate residents on safe drinking water sources. They identified high levels of uranium and other heavy metals in well water, and developed best practices for distributing educational resources.
Researchers created a technology that controls the thickness and structure of a polymer coating, allowing more water droplets to form and detach quickly. This enhances heat transfer performance during condensation, improving energy efficiency in power plants and industrial applications.
Irrigated mountain hayfields act as large filtration systems, reducing nutrient concentrations in runoff and improving water quality. This study found that voluntary adoption of best management practices can effectively mitigate the impacts of agricultural nutrient use in mountain meadow hay systems.
Climate change will exacerbate water scarcity, not just due to reduced supply, but also due to poor quality, affecting different sectors differently. Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East face particularly challenging prospects, with increased demand for clean water by 1225%.
A global assessment found that only 63.3% of lakes worldwide meet good water quality standards, exposing nearly half of the world's population to potential health risks associated with freshwater security. Strong regional disparities were observed, with Europe and North America faring better than Asia, South America, and Africa.
An international team of researchers simulated proton motions in water with unprecedented accuracy, finding that the configuration of surrounding water molecules determines proton movement. The study expands current understanding of how water shapes proton transport.
A multidisciplinary study assesses the Guadalquivir River's water quality along its entire course, combining physicochemical and biological parameters. The results show a gradual decline in quality, with specific sections identified as deteriorated, highlighting the importance of integrated analysis for risk assessment.
Researchers developed a high-resolution monitoring approach combining drone-based multispectral imaging with ensemble machine learning models. The method revealed how surrounding industrial, agricultural, residential, and green areas influence water quality in urban rivers.
A new study at North Carolina State University reveals the widely-used Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP) is not effective in detecting water quality problems. SVAP scores were strongly correlated with physical characteristics but showed few correlations with water quality data, highlighting its limitations.
This study found that households in metropolitan areas with higher population density and income levels show stronger voluntary water conservation during drought. The AI-based scenario analysis showed that increased drought-related news coverage leads to significant water savings in these regions, but has a limited impact on rural areas.
Researchers used numerical simulations and isotopic data to connect hot spring magmatic water to the subducting Pacific Plate. The study found that magmatic water from Kawayu Onsen in Japan closely matched isotopic values released from the Pacific Plate at a depth of 125 km.
A recent study published in PLOS Water revealed evidence of contamination in the tap water of Austin's Colony neighborhood, with some samples exceeding state regulatory standards for lead, arsenic, and other contaminants. The contamination appears to happen after the water is mixed together in the neighborhood's plumbing system.
Researchers found that both free water and bound water slowed the intensity of pyrolysis reactions and increased biochar yield. A biomass water content of around 30% may offer a practical balance for pyrolysis, balancing biochar yield and energy demand.
Satellite remote sensing allows researchers to monitor water quality by tracking changes in light spectrum, identifying nutrients in the water. This technology holds promise for studying global river health and detecting toxic algal blooms that can shut down water treatment plants.
Researchers have developed a new metal-organic framework (MOF) that captures 170 mg of water per gram at just 0.2% relative humidity, one of the highest water uptake capacities reported in such conditions. The material shows excellent stability and selectivity for water molecules over nitrogen.
A novel solar-thermal desalination process produces fresh water in an energy-efficient way, eliminating brine and chemical additives. The technology leverages the 'coffee ring' effect to extract salts from seawater, producing nearly 100% of the salts in solid form.
A new UN report reveals that poor water quality is closely linked to poverty and gender inequality in the Global South. The study finds that 84 countries face a combination of unsafe drinking water, limited financial resources, and gender inequality, affecting nearly 2 billion people.
University of Missouri researchers developed an irrigation strategy that allows farmers to conserve water while maintaining crop quality. By tailoring water amounts based on plant growth stages, farmers can reduce water usage and costs.
Researchers found that treated wastewater can safely recharge coastal aquifers, stabilizing water supplies. However, higher-quality treated wastewater is needed to minimize impacts on groundwater quality.
The study reveals that the first four layers of water molecules possess a well-defined orientational structure with alternating molecular tilt and twist angles. This new understanding has important implications for processes at aqueous interfaces, including electrochemical devices such as batteries.
A new study finds that warmer winters will lead to faster water transit times in the western United States, negatively impacting summer water levels and quality. The research focuses on the Naches River basin, where snowpack declines have already resulted in earlier spring discharges.
Researchers at the University of Seville and Polytechnic University of Madrid demonstrate a new method to grow tomatoes beneath solar panels, reducing water consumption by 50% while generating clean energy. The agrovoltaic system improves irrigation management, increasing fruit productivity for every drop of invested water.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is leading a global water modeling project to create advanced tools and datasets for managing fresh water sustainably. The Re-Analysis of Water for Society (RAWS) project aims to shed light on how humans can best manage fresh water for long-term sustainability.
Researchers from UConn and Yale have developed a compact, solar-powered water disinfection system that combines existing methods. The system effectively utilizes photosensitizers to kill viruses and bacteria in water, providing a clear indication of when the water is safe to drink.
Researchers compared commercial PlanetBasemap data to a public data set from the United States Geological Survey and found that higher-resolution imagery detects more small bodies of water. However, in seasons with high vegetation, public data excels at detecting water hidden beneath forest cover.
Researchers at Stockholm University have found a new critical point in supercooled water at around -63 °C and 1000 atmosphere. This discovery explains the unusual properties of water, such as its density and viscosity responding to pressure and temperature changes in ways that are opposite to other liquids.
The Re-Analysis of Water for Society (RAWS) project seeks to create a detailed daily record of the world's freshwater systems spanning 60 years. By combining advanced water modeling with artificial intelligence and integrated global datasets, RAWS aims to provide a clearer picture of how water systems have changed over time.
The partnership aims to develop groundbreaking water treatment solutions in areas like desalination, brine management, PFAS treatment, and resource recovery. The collaboration will leverage IDE's expertise in commercial water treatment and the WaTER Institute's research prowess.
Researchers found that plants cannot extract water from dry soil due to increased capillary and viscous forces. The plant's own properties are not limited, but rather the soil's ability to release water.
Two types of biochar, rice husk and palm silk, influence water infiltration and leakage in phosphorus-enriched vegetable soils. Biochar slows water movement, reducing phosphorus leaching and improving water retention for crops.
App Applied Microbiology International will host a free webinar on 'Gender Equality and Water' to mark World Water Day 2026. The event aims to centred women and girls in water solutions, recognizing their voices, leadership and agency as critical enablers of gender equality.
A new framework introduces the Water Sustainability Index (WSI), a transparent, quantitative metric designed to strengthen corporate water accountability worldwide. The WSI evaluates corporate water withdrawals, consumption, discharge quality, and reuse while accounting for local water scarcity.
Growing evidence shows water insecurity is an increasing challenge in the US and other high-income countries. Rural areas face unreliable access to safe and affordable water due to aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and extreme weather events.
A study by researchers found that some US drinking water kiosks contain lead levels above public health recommendations, despite using reverse osmosis (RO) treatment. The source of the lead is attributed to corroded brass plumbing components in the kiosks.
A recent study found that China's water-supply carbon emissions rose to 228 Mt CO2 by 2022 due to increased reliance on energy-intensive water sources. The research emphasizes the need for low-carbon alternatives and integrated governance to address the water-energy-carbon nexus.
Scientists discovered that water bridges organize PNIPAM's structure as it contracts and expands, with water pulling the strings rather than direct polymer contacts. Long supercomputer simulations followed billions of time steps to analyze the motion of PNIPAM in water.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that some bottled water contains significantly higher levels of microplastics than tap water. The study used a novel method for detecting tiny particles and analyzed water samples from four treatment plants near Lake Erie and six different brands of bottled water.
Researchers identified key policy levers to support water sustainability in the Yellow River Basin and developed a network integrating 53 SDG indicators. The network demonstrates superior structural stability and predictive power compared to traditional models.
The United Nations University reports that many regions are living beyond their hydrological means, with critical water systems already bankrupt. The study defines 'water bankruptcy' as persistent over-withdrawal from surface and groundwater relative to renewable inflows and safe levels of depletion. This has resulted in a growing list...
A new UN report warns that humanity has entered a state of 'Global Water Bankruptcy' due to unsustainable water use. The report highlights the urgent need for a global reset in water management, shifting from crisis management to bankruptcy management.
A recent study published by Loma Linda University found that commercial water dispensers can harbor bacterial growth, even after disinfection, with some studies identifying contamination as soon as a few days later. The researchers recommend regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent the regrowth of microorganisms.
Researchers found that the bathing water in Pompeii's Republican Baths was contaminated with lead, zinc, and copper, compromising hygiene standards. The team also discovered cyclical patterns in carbonate deposits suggesting volcanic activity before the AD 79 eruption.
A Washington State University-led study in Guatemala found that community perceptions of water safety often do not align with actual water quality. Bottled water was found to be the most frequently contaminated source, with only 17% meeting World Health Organization standards.
MIT engineers have developed an ultrasonic device that vibrates at high frequency to shake out water molecules from a material, recovering clean drinking water in minutes. This design is 45 times more efficient than existing heat-based systems, which can take hours or days.
A recent study by Asher Rosinger found that children who drink their tap water and live in food-secure households consume fewer calories from sugary drinks. This suggests a link between water insecurity and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, highlighting the importance of universal access to safe drinking water for children's health.
Pedro J.J. Alvarez has been awarded the 2026 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Civil Engineering for his groundbreaking research on water quality engineering. His work spans nanotechnology, microbiology, chemistry, and hydrogeology to make water cleaner, safer, and more sustainable.
Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology discovered that enclosed water can influence its surroundings and favor binding between molecules. This finding could lead to the design of more effective drugs and new materials by leveraging the binding force of highly energetic water molecules.
A new University of California, Davis study finds that drought in California pushes the price of water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs up by $487 per acre-foot, more than triple the cost during an average wet year. Managing groundwater and surface water together could keep water prices steady and support the state's economy.
Researchers studied the genetic response of umbrella acacia and splendid thorn acacia to drought stress. The study found that umbrella acacias prioritize continued growth over water conservation when water is scarce, using up all accessible water to survive severe droughts. In contrast, splendid thorn acacias invest in water conservati...
A new study by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture reveals that water quality can significantly impact the type of microbial populations in poultry drinking water lines and litter. The study found a Bacillus species with probiotic properties was more prevalent in biofilms from poultry houses with normal sulfur-iro...
The Rice WaTER Institute hosted the Water Nexus Conference 2025, bringing together industry, policy, and research experts to discuss integrated approaches for safe and reliable water systems. Key findings include the need for innovative technologies, capital structuring, and operational efficiency to close the growing funding gap in wa...
The Trusted Tap project enables households to monitor their tap water quality using commercially available filters and sending them to Washington University in St. Louis for analysis. This allows households to receive guidance on next steps if contaminants are detected, promoting safe drinking water for all Americans.
A new analysis reveals African women remain significantly underrepresented in water governance, with only 17% of national ministries led by women. Practical steps are needed to address social and institutional barriers and ensure women's equal representation in shaping policies and decisions.
A new UN report reveals that global agricultural trade affects water access, alleviating water scarcity for high-income populations while intensifying shortages for low-income communities. The report calls for measures to address outstanding water inequity issues resulting from international food trades.