Global water security and infrastructure challenges highlighted

The upcoming 2026 World Water Week, scheduled for August 23–27 in Stockholm and virtually, will focus on the theme ‘Water for People and Progress.’ Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), the global event aims to address water security, health, and human development by bringing together government representatives, international organizations, and industry leaders to find concrete solutions for sanitation and water scarcity.

In Spain, discussions regarding water quality have highlighted concerns over aging domestic infrastructure. While municipal water meets high standards, experts note that over 50% of Spanish homes were built before 1980. This aging of internal building pipes can lead to the erosion of tube walls and corrosion, potentially introducing rust, sediments, and heavy metals like copper or lead into the consumer's tap water. Because the responsibility for these internal pipes lies with property owners rather than distributors, experts suggest point-of-use purification systems as an alternative to the high cost of full plumbing renovations or the unsustainable use of bottled water.