European industrial leaders warn water shortages threaten growth

Water scarcity and pollution are emerging as threats to businesses and drinking-water supplies, while authorities and organizations are pursuing conservation and monitoring efforts. A Schneider Electric survey found that European industrial leaders already face higher costs and supply-chain disruptions from water stress; more than half expect water quality or availability to constrain growth within five years, and 44% say operations could suffer within a day of a major supply disruption. The report comes amid severe drought conditions in Europe, which have affected freight, energy and agriculture. In Switzerland, experts warn that drought and chemical contamination are increasing pressure on drinking-water sources, particularly groundwater, and advocate protecting water resources and improving landscape water retention. WWF Switzerland has launched interactive maps showing pesticide contamination in rivers, streams and groundwater from 2019 to 2024. In drought-hit Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district in India, officials are prioritizing village-level conservation projects and accelerating work to strengthen water sources.