September 2025
What is the WASH Sector Talking About in 2025?
7 Insights from World Water Week
Even with the recent dismantling of USAID, there was a strong sense of determination and pragmatism in Stockholm. Sessions and hallway conversations acknowledged the challenges—funding cuts, climate impacts, service gaps but also highlighted emerging opportunities. From financing innovations to new partnerships, participants shared practical ideas for building more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable water and sanitation systems.
💰 Financing in Flux
TIt was hard to ignore the USAID funding cuts. Throughout various sessions and side conversations, the sector explored alternatives, including blended finance, carbon credits, results-based funding, revolving funds, and collaborations with the private sector. While these models show promise, they demand rigorous data and proof of sustainability.
🎯 Universal Coverage: Work to be Done
The recently released 2025 JMP report is sobering: Universal coverage by 2030 is increasingly unlikely, though near-eradication of open defecation is a bright spot. This stark reality emphasizes the urgent need for more resources, innovation, and accountability.
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🌍 Climate Resilience at the Core
Climate change is no longer an external threat; it’s embedded in every WASH challenge. Floods, droughts, and shifting water sources are amplifying existing stresses. Building resilience must be part of every system, policy, and investment.
Importantly, the conversation broadened beyond WASH services to include water resources management: protecting catchments, restoring wetlands, and integrating ecosystems into service delivery.
🏛️ Government Leadership: Rising but Underfunded
From Ghana’s initiative for universal safe water by 2030 to demonstrated emphasis on collaboration between national ministries and researchers. Despite these commitments, many governments still face substantial funding gaps. Ultimately, sustainability relies on national systems, budgets, and local leadership.
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🤖 AI and Data: Promise and Caution
Discussions on artificial intelligence were everywhere, as a tool to reduce costs, speed up analysis, and help manage climate risks. However, concerns surfaced, including energy consumption, bias, and overreliance.
Beyond AI, a bigger gap is clear: the sector isn’t making enough use of the data it already has. Participants called for tools and platforms that make it easy to find, understand, and apply existing evidence to decision-making.
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⚠️ Lead Contamination: A Public Health Wake-Up Call
Discussions about lead in drinking water, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, underscored a critical fact: there is no safe level of exposure. This urgent issue is hampered by weak regulations, existing fixtures that leach into water (such as brass caps), and limited laboratory capacity.
To address it, conversations emphasized prevention-focused approaches, improved communication of risks, stronger procurement standards, and an “all hands to the pump” approach to partnerships.
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🤝 Partnerships as the Path Forward
One clear message emerged from our time in Stockholm: systemic change requires collaboration. All stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, multilaterals, and the private sector, each contribute unique strengths.
Addressing today’s interconnected challenges, ranging from climate issues to financing and coverage gaps, will depend on forming and maintaining these cross-sectoral partnerships.
As World Water Week 2025 closes, the conversation doesn’t end; it’s a bridge to 2026. With the UNC Water and Health Conference, COP30, and the UN 2026 Water Conference on the horizon, the sector has a chance to turn dialogue into action, carrying momentum from Stockholm into the year ahead.
