Water security stories

Sep 16, 2026

Wave of data center moratoriums spreads across US as governors and cities pause new applications

Multiple states and cities including Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and California are implementing or considering moratoriums on new data center applications, citing concerns over power consumption, water usage, and pollution. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he would sign a statewide moratorium, while Virginia's Data Center Alley and Raleigh are advancing pauses of up to 12 months.

Sep 16, 20265 sources

Sep 7, 2026

Panama Canal may cut ship traffic further as El Niño drought worsens

Panama Canal authorities warn they may impose additional reductions to daily ship transits due to severe drought conditions caused by the strengthening El Niño weather pattern. The potential cuts represent a worst-case scenario based on 1997, the canal's driest year on record.

Sep 7, 20265 sources

Sep 4, 2026

Fifth circuit court rules US constitution does not guarantee right to clean water

The US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal constitution does not provide a right to clean drinking water, dismissing a lawsuit from Mississippi residents over lead-contaminated water. The divided court's decision also found no constitutional right to accurate information from public officials.

Sep 4, 20264 sources

Sep 2, 2026

Data center backlash becomes bipartisan campaign issue ahead of 2026 midterms

Growing public opposition to AI data centers over concerns about power grid strain, water usage, and land development has emerged as a rare bipartisan issue in the 2026 midterm elections, with both parties running ads attacking the facilities while tech companies turn to lobbying and legislation to address community concerns.

Sep 2, 20269 sources

Aug 21, 2026

Panama Canal to reduce shipping due to El Niño-fueled drought

The Panama Canal will cut the number of ships passing through starting next month due to severe drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon. The UK Met Office predicts this year's El Niño will be the strongest in over a century, with global implications for weather and shipping.

Aug 21, 202611 sources

Aug 20, 2026

Century-old steam tugboat emerges from Serbia's Sava River as drought dries European waterways

The wreck of a steam tugboat from the early 1900s, known as the Slovenian or 'Sava's Titanic,' has surfaced from the Sava River near Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia, as extreme heat and drought cause rivers across Europe to reach record low levels.

Aug 20, 20265 sources

Aug 12, 2026

Governments grapple with regulating data centres amid energy and environmental concerns

Ontario released a framework requiring data centres to cover energy costs and potentially pay higher electricity rates, while Australia and India face challenges managing the rapid expansion of facilities that strain power grids, water supplies, and local planning systems.

Aug 12, 20265 sources

Aug 8, 2026

Texas Governor Abbott Orders Audit of Data Centers, Halting ERCOT Grid Connection Approvals

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a comprehensive audit of data centers seeking connection to the state's power grid, pausing ERCOT's interconnection review process amid concerns over electricity demand and water usage. President Trump criticized the move, warning Texas against resisting the AI data center industry.

Aug 8, 20268 sources

Aug 3, 2026

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott halts new data center approvals, orders grid impact audits

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday ordered state regulators to pause all new data center approvals and conduct comprehensive audits of projects seeking to connect to the state's power grid. The directive requires the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT to verify energy and water usage of data centers in the interconnection process before any additional approvals are granted.

Aug 3, 20268 sources

Aug 1, 2026

Michigan reports cyberattacks on water systems as FBI investigates Iran

Michigan announced cyberattacks on nine water systems, joining Minnesota in reporting infrastructure attacks that intelligence officials have attributed to Iran amid ongoing military conflict.

Aug 1, 20262 sources

Jul 31, 2026

Hungary plans to shut down only nuclear power plant amid drought

Hungary announced it will shut down its Paks nuclear power plant for the first time in its 44-year history due to record-low water levels on the Danube River. The plant supplies nearly half of Hungary's electricity.

Jul 31, 20265 sources

Record low Danube River levels force nuclear plant shutdowns in Hungary and Romania, triggering energy emergency

Hungary's Paks nuclear plant, which provides nearly half the country's electricity, faces imminent shutdown within 72 hours due to record-low Danube water levels preventing cooling operations. Romania has declared a state of emergency after shutting down both reactors at its Cernavoda nuclear facility, with plans to import electricity from Ukraine.

Jul 31, 20269 sources

Jul 28, 2026

Half of England officially declared in Drought after record-low rainfall and heatwaves

The Environment Agency has declared seven areas across central, eastern, and southern England officially in drought, with July on track to be the driest on record. The 'flash drought' follows unusually low rainfall and the fourth heatwave of the year, creating dangerous fire conditions across the country.

Jul 28, 20264 sources

Jul 15, 2026

Iran attacks Kuwaiti water and power plants in escalating conflict with U.S.

Iran struck Kuwaiti desalination and power facilities in counterstrikes against the U.S., marking a dangerous expansion of the conflict beyond military targets and raising fears of attacks on civilian infrastructure across the region.

Jul 15, 20264 sources

Jul 14, 2026

New York Becomes First U.S. State to Impose Moratorium on Large Data Centers

Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on July 14, 2026, pausing state environmental permits for data centers requiring 50 megawatts or more for up to one year, citing rising utility costs, water strain, and environmental impacts from AI-driven facilities.

Jul 14, 20269 sources

Jun 24, 2026

Trump administration settles with Chemours for $450M over PFAS pollution, but North Carolina excluded from deal

The Trump administration reached a multi-state settlement with chemical maker Chemours Co. for $450 million over illegal discharges of PFAS 'forever chemicals,' but North Carolina—where major contamination occurred—was notably excluded from the agreement, drawing criticism from state officials.

Jun 24, 20267 sources

Apr 12, 2026

PFAS Exposure During Pregnancy Linked to Increased Childhood Asthma Risk

Study finds that water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy is associated with elevated risk of asthma in children.

Apr 12, 20261 source

Apr 3, 2026

EPA Adds Microplastics to Drinking Water Contaminant Study List

The Environmental Protection Agency has designated microplastics as a potential drinking water contaminant requiring study, marking a significant regulatory step seen as appealing to the MAHA movement's focus on environmental health concerns.

Apr 3, 20261 source

Mar 29, 2026

Papua New Guinea Faces Mass Marine Die-Off and Public Health Emergency from Ocean Contamination

Thousands of dead fish are washing ashore and residents are falling ill as officials investigate possible sources of toxic ocean contamination in Papua New Guinea.

Mar 29, 20261 source