Over 4 million people died from Covid 19 since the virus started to decimate humanity and Covid statistics are in the front page of all newspapers daily. However, rarely do you read about waterborne diseases, yet in 2020 they also caused over 4 million deaths throughout the world just like Covid. While the world is rightly focused on a major global pandemic we forget that today five of the world’s most significant dangers are all ecological: (1) water pollution; (2) extreme weather; (3) rapidly changing climates; (4) water crises including lack of availability and (5) loss of biodiversity.

The good thing is that today more than ever in history water technologies are improving rapidly especially with the aid of AI and IoT. One area that is seeing major consideration is the control of water usage. In a planet that uses three trillion gallons of water per day (a trillion is a 1 followed by 12 zeroes) the differences between countries are vast. In America the average person for his/her individual consumption uses 156 gallons/day while in Europe that number is half as big, in India people use less than 40 gallons/day and in Mali a mere 3 gallons per day. A big challenge to all readers: Water Technologies from source extraction to use, including water reclamation and reuse are tremendous areas of opportunity. This will be a megatrend for at least the next decade and an opportunity for us to be part of making our world even better. Take the challenge!

In the US, a great deal of work is needed to bring our potable water systems to modern standards, eliminating waste, improving quality of potable water, local and regional treatment systems, and fostering efficiency. Both government and private investment in this sector will greatly contribute to our planet’s health, providing both financial benefits as well as contributing to the health of our planet.

Now let’s just do it!