Warnings are growing that a combination of war, artificial intelligence (AI), and population growth could significantly worsen global water shortages in the coming years.
As reported by the Financial Times on Monday, Nacho Moreno, CEO of the Spanish utility group Cox, voiced concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran. These tensions could potentially broaden into a larger conflict with far-reaching consequences for water security.
“We’re going to grow on water,” Moreno said, predicting that the need for global water treatment will increase by 10-15% annually. He explained that the water market, already growing at a double-digit compounded annual growth rate, could see demand double within four to five years due to this accelerated pace.
Moreno also warned that the gap between global water supply and demand could expand by 40%, meaning that water supply could fall drastically short of meeting future global demand.
Middle East Conflict Intensifying Water Shortages
Moreno highlighted the pressing water issues in the Middle East, emphasizing that ongoing regional conflicts are worsening shortages. He pointed out that countries in the region possess abundant resources like clean energy from solar power and substantial financial investment capacity, but they critically lack sufficient water supplies.
He issued a stark warning about Saudi Arabia’s vulnerabilities, noting that if the country’s desalination plants were targeted, possibly in retaliation by Iran, if conflicts escalated, the nation could face severe water shortages within hours. “Water security, given the geopolitical situation, is key,” he added, stressing that securing water infrastructure is as vital as other forms of national security.
Moreno suggested that Saudi Arabia consider constructing offshore desalination plants to safeguard its water supply against potential threats.
AI and Data Centers Exacerbating Water Scarcity
Artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing number of data centers are straining global water supplies. These centers, crucial for AI and cloud computing, consume vast amounts of electricity and water to cool the servers that drive data-intensive operations.
“The data centers demand a huge volume of water to cool down [servers],” Moreno said, pointing out that AI’s rise is driving energy demand and dramatically increasing water use. As the AI industry expands, this could intensify water scarcity, especially in regions already under pressure.
Population Growth Adding to Water Demand
In addition to conflict and AI, population growth is another key factor exacerbating the global water crisis. Increasing agricultural demand and a rising need for drinking water are putting immense pressure on existing water resources. The combination of a growing population and the impacts of the climate crisis is accelerating water scarcity, making the situation more critical.
As the global demand for water surges due to these overlapping factors, the need for innovative solutions and stronger water security measures is becoming more urgent.
