Global Water Crisis: An Urgent Challenge That Chemistry Can Help Solve

The water crisis is one of the most pressing threats to humanity in the 21st century. According to recent data, more than 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water and 3.5 billion do not have safely managed sanitation services. This situation not only compromises the health and well-being of millions, but also hinders the economic and social development of numerous communities. [UN – SDG 6]

Water scarcity already affects large areas of the planet. In regions such as North Africa, Central Asia, the southwestern United States, and parts of South America, water reserves are decreasing at an alarming rate due to urban growth, agricultural overexploitation, and lack of efficient infrastructure. It is estimated that by 2026, more than 1.8 billion people will live in countries or regions with severe water scarcity [FAO, 2024].

Water pollution further exacerbates this crisis. For example, in 2024, a report revealed the presence of nearly 500 chemical substances in rivers and aquifers in Western Europe, many of them toxic or even banned. Among the most concerning pollutants are PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” which have even been detected in bottled mineral water for human consumption. [The Guardian, 2024]

Climate change also plays a crucial role in intensifying the water crisis. According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, by 2050 three out of four people in the world could be affected by droughts, and current annual costs already exceed 307 billion dollars due to agricultural, energy, and health losses [UNCCD, 2024].

How Can Chemistry Help Solve the Water Crisis?

Chemistry is behind many of the most promising solutions to tackle water scarcity and pollution. Here are some of the main innovations:

• Adsorbent materials: compounds such as metal oxides, activated carbon or zeolites are used to trap contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, or nitrates, effectively cleaning the water.
• Advanced oxidation processes (AOP): use substances like hydrogen peroxide or ozone to generate radicals that destroy toxic organic compounds that are hard to remove through traditional methods.
• Chemically modified membranes: enable selective filtration, blocking contaminants such as PFAS (“forever chemicals”) while allowing clean water to pass through.
• Chemical sensors: help detect contaminants in real time, enabling better monitoring of water quality in treatment plants or rural settings.
• Sustainable materials and green reagents: chemistry is also developing new compounds that are more environmentally friendly for water treatment, reducing the use of toxic or hard-to-remove substances.

These technologies not only improve water quality, but also enable more local, cost-effective, and resource-adapted solutions—key to ensuring universal access to clean water in the coming years.

How CymitQuimica Supports Innovation in Water Treatment

At CymitQuimica, we support researchers, engineers, and companies working on water treatment and analysis solutions. We offer a wide range of catalysts and reference standards. Our goal is to facilitate access to reliable, high-quality materials that enable the development of sustainable solutions to one of the most urgent challenges of our time.