Can ‘new’ water solve the global water crisis? - Dr Joe Williams

Meeting the growing water needs of people and environments is consistently ranked among the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century. Around two thirds of the world’s population are vulnerable to water scarcity and one billion people do not have access to safe and reliable supply. As we saw from the widespread droughts in 2022, climate change is making these challenges worse. In this context societies are increasingly turning to ‘new’ or ‘unconventional’ water resources, such as seawater desalination and wastewater reuse. This lecture will discuss the extraordinary emergence of ‘new’ water over the last two decades as a potential game-changer in addressing water challenges. It will also consider some of the criticisms of new water, and argue that to fully understand this phenomenon we need to look beyond explanations that focus on water scarcity and consider the political and economic drivers as well. The lecture will be given by Dr Joe Williams, Cardiff University.

This event has been organised by the West of England and South Wales committee with the University of Gloucestershire.