Critical issues shaping the future of global water security

Water scarcity is a worldwide problem, and even the UK, which has a reputation for being rainy, currently has regions where reservoirs are running low, drought has been declared, and in the long term, is projected to have a 5 billion litre daily shortfall by 2050. Some of the critical issues shaping future insecurity include:

1. Intensification of climate disasters: 90% of natural disasters are water-related – droughts, heatwaves, and erratic rainfall destabilise supply, while floods contaminate freshwater reserves. A lack of water infrastructure and poor management of water resources further exacerbate existing water scarcity. 
2. Urgency of glacier preservation: Ice sheets and glaciers store approximately 70% of the world’s freshwater, and the unprecedented rate at which they are melting causes short-term floods and long-term shortages that disrupt entire ecosystems. 
3. Preventing groundwater depletion: Groundwater, found deep underground in aquifers, makes up the remaining 30% of the world’s freshwater supply. We’re currently extracting more groundwater than can be replenished. A NASA study concluded that 21 of the largest 37 aquifers in the world have exceeded sustainability tipping points. 
4. Reducing ‘forever chemicals’: What are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other pollutants present in water and food sources persist in drinking water, accumulate in the body, and are very challenging to remove, posing long-term health risks.
5. The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI): The relationship between Generative AI and water is complicated. On the one hand, the environmental cost and social impact of the amounts of water needed to train, deploy, and maintain AI models and data centres are enormous. On the other hand, by leveraging AI and big data analytics, water utilities can use the insights generated to optimise usage, reduce waste, improve service delivery, and lower costs.

Countries often don’t take water scarcity and pollution seriously due to competing priorities for financial resources (e.g. healthcare, education), insufficient data for integrated management, and the inherent complexities of international cooperation and governance for a shared resource such as water. However, addressing these challenges requires urgent global collaboration, innovative solutions, and new water technologies that can make water security less challenging.

What do we mean by ‘New Water Technologies’?

“New water technologies” refers to the latest wave of innovations designed to access, purify, and manage water without harming the environment. This includes advanced filtration methods for contaminant removal (e.g., nanotechnology and reverse osmosis), wastewater treatment and recycling systems(e.g. toilet-to-tap solutions), smart water management (e.g., sensors and software that detect leaks, contaminants, and manage demand), solar powered desalination plants, and sustainable treatment solutions such as photocatalytic treatment (using solar energy to break down contaminants). 

Many of these solutions are still in early development, requiring cross-disciplinary expertise to move from concept to implementation. At Ignitec, we’ve seen how combining electronics, data science, and hardware design can accelerate progress and scale growth in sectors like environmental monitoring and water innovation.

5 new water technologies developed by innovative startups

1. Atmospheric Water Harvesting

Instead of relying on rivers or reservoirs, atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is a technology that collects and condenses water vapour directly from the air, even in arid regions. Advances in bio-inspired materials and solar-powered condensers are making it more efficient and accessible. It offers a decentralised way to secure safe drinking water for drought-prone areas without straining existing reserves.

Swedish startup Untap! provides off-grid industry-grade water using atmospheric water condensation to absorb humidity in the air and transform it into drinking water. Their solutions deploy sustainable power sources to minimise carbon emissions and incorporate multi-usage filtration and ultraviolet light treatment to ensure water quality. 

While atmospheric water harvesting shows enormous promise, scaling depends on designing robust, energy-efficient prototypes that can perform in harsh environments. Rapid prototyping and field testing, areas where Ignitec excels, make the difference between a good idea and a viable solution.

2. Solar-Thermal Desalination Systems

Conventional desalination is energy-hungry and often harmful to marine ecosystems. New solar-thermal systems use renewable energy to evaporate and condense seawater, reducing emissions and minimising brine discharge. This provides a sustainable way to transform seawater into a lifeline for coastal regions facing water stress.

Desoleanator is the world’s first circular solar thermal desalination system. It transforms seawater into clean water without using membranes that clog the system and need frequent replacement, harmful chemicals, or fossil fuels. Their patented photovoltaic-thermal technology optimises solar energy conversion (it harvests 4x more energy than standard PV and can operate 24/7 off-grid), doesn’t produce brine, and enables a fully circular water and salt recovery system. 

3. Aquifer Restoration

Aquifers supply much of the world’s freshwater, yet many are at critical depletion levels. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR), stormwater infiltration, and riverbank filtration are techniques being scaled to restore underground reserves. This technology doesn’t just replenish supply—it strengthens resilience against droughts and stabilises ecosystems.

iFLUX helps to protect and manage groundwater by providing reliable, time-based data on how contamination spreads. With real-time sensor networks, iFLUX enables targeted, cost-efficient remediation for utilities, municipalities, and land owners. 

4. Membrane Technology for Sustainable Water Treatment

Next-generation membrane technologies transform water treatment, including graphene-based filters and forward osmosis. They effectively remove pathogens, heavy metals, microplastics, and even PFAS, using less energy than conventional filtration. These membranes extend system lifespans and address growing concerns over pollutants that conventional treatment struggles to handle.

Earthy, an Indian startup, uses a biomimetic membrane (material designed to mimic nature’s efficient separation mechanisms) for water filtration. Their membranes use aquaporin proteins—the same ones found in living cells—to let water pass through quickly and cleanly, while blocking out impurities. This natural approach makes the process faster and more efficient than traditional filters. From treating industrial wastewater to purifying drinking water at home, and even supporting space missions, Earthy’s technology helps save energy and reduce water waste while delivering safe, high-quality water.

5. Industrial IoT for Smarter Water Management

Industry accounts for a significant share of global water use and discharge. Industrial IoT (IIoT) integrates smart sensors, AI, and analytics to monitor water use, detect leaks, and reduce waste. From manufacturing to power plants, IIoT enables greater accountability and efficiency in how businesses manage water.

Alternativ Engineering is a German startup that develops an in-line water sensor for precise water quality monitoring. The startup’s product, NEREID In-Line, is a multi-parameter sensor that measures selected parameters with high sensitivity. The sensor is highly power-efficient and maintenance-free, features anti-fouling copper plates, and is applicable in various areas, including smart cities, sewage treatment plants, drinking water, and groundwater.

Industrial IoT is only as effective as the sensors, networks, and analytics that support it. Ignitec’s experience in connected devices and real-time monitoring puts us at the intersection of IoT and sustainable water management, helping innovators prove, test, and refine their concepts.

This list represents our top 5, but is by no means a comprehensive one. Other new sustainable water technologies that deserve an honourable mention include: 

• Smart water grids for efficient distribution
• Waste recycling with membrane bioreactors
• AI-powered leak detection and management systems
• Decentralised water treatment systems for rural areas
• Hydrogen fuel cells for water generation 
• Floating solar farms for water conservation
• Nature-inspired (biomimicry) water harvesting techniques
• Fog nets for sustainable water collection

Challenges and solutions in developing innovative water technologies

There is no doubt that new water technologies are already delivering efficiencies and positively impacting countless lives. And while these innovations are promising, scaling them comes with challenges:

• High costs and infrastructure needs: Emerging systems often need significant upfront investments. Solution: Public-private partnerships and flexible financing models.
• Energy demands: Some technologies, like desalination, remain energy-intensive. Solution: Pairing with renewable energy sources reduces the ecological footprint.
• Regulatory hurdles: New methods must meet strict safety and quality standards. Solution: Harmonising global standards can accelerate adoption.
• Equity and accessibility: Communities most affected by scarcity often cannot afford advanced tech. Solution: Modular, decentralised systems make solutions more accessible.
• Data and privacy concerns: Digital water systems create new risks. Solution: Strong governance and security frameworks ensure safe use.

The solutions proposed to these challenges point to a common driving force: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are crucial to accelerating innovation, scaling adoption, and ensuring that new water technologies are affordable and accessible. For example, the UK’s Thames Water successfully partnered with technology firms to develop smart metering systems that provide consumers with detailed water usage analytics, ultimately driving down water wastage.

The journey from vision to impact in water innovation is often a meandering one. It takes technical know-how, adaptability, and the multidisciplinary ability to build solutions that thrive in real-world conditions—qualities that Ignitec brings to every project we work on. 

Final Thoughts

The current water (in) security situation often seems like the most significant crisis that few are talking about. However, the rising tide of innovation in new water technologies offers real reasons for optimism, with forecasts predicting the global water and wastewater treatment market to grow from $350.7 billion in 2025 to $591.2 billion by the end of 2030. For entrepreneurs and startups working on impactful, sustainable, and commercially viable solutions, there has rarely been a better time to tap into innovation. 

At Ignitec, we’ve a proven track record of developing planet-positive environmental monitoring solutions and aqua technologies. We pride ourselves on keeping our fingers on the pulse of innovations bubbling beneath the surface. Our multidisciplinary team takes a holistic approach to problem-solving, blending R&D, rapid prototyping, and technical execution to turn bold ideas into resilient solutions.

If you’re developing a new water technology and need a partner to help bring it from concept to reality, get in touch—we’d love to explore how we can support your journey.