Water problems are no longer limited to remote drought zones. In 2026, cities around the world are dealing with shortages, flooding, damaged infrastructure, and growing pressure on basic water systems.
1. Puerto Rico — Water Rationing
Severe drought has forced water rationing across parts of Puerto Rico.
More than 180,000 customers were scheduled to lose water for 48-hour periods as reservoirs struggled during one of the island’s driest periods in decades. (AP News)
2. Sri Lanka — Wells Are Running Dry
A severe drought in Sri Lanka has left some communities waiting up to 23 days for water deliveries.
Some reservoirs were holding only about 10% of normal capacity, while farmers lost crops and income. (Reuters)
3. Montreal — Too Much Water at Once
Water problems can also mean having far too much water.
A June downpour dropped up to 150 millimetres of rain on parts of Montreal within hours, overwhelming localized drainage systems and flooding homes. City officials said traditional infrastructure was no longer sufficient for events of that intensity. (CityNews Montreal)
4. Ottawa — Storm Drains Hit Their Limits
A July 2026 storm produced 5,423 flooding-related service requests across Ottawa.
The city reported that localized drainage systems were overwhelmed, with some stormwater flowing across streets instead of through underground pipes. (City of Ottawa)
5. The Grand Canyon — A Water Pipeline Was Damaged
A major flash flood damaged roughly 40% of the Grand Canyon’s 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline, the park’s primary water supply.
The damage disrupted visitor services and complicated an already-underway $200-million-plus replacement project. (AP News)
6. The Problem Is Becoming Global
C40 estimates that by 2050, river flooding could directly affect more than 7.4 million people annually across its member cities, while drought could cause more than 16.1 billion cubic metres of annual surface-water losses. (c40.org)