The Future with Hannah Fry · Series 2 · Episode 4
The Future with Hannah Fry, Water: what the evidence says about water security
What the episode covers, where water security stands on the 311 Starburst and what leaders should take from it.
What it covers
About the episode
The episode looks at ways technology could help secure the world's future water needs as demand rises and supplies come under strain.
- Broadcaster
- Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)
- Made by
- Bloomberg Media with Windfall Films
- Distributed by
- TVF International
- Episode
- Series 2, episode 4
Official episode page (Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)) · More about the series
What the evidence says
Where water security stands in 2026
The 311 Starburst maps when each emerging technology and trend is expected to reach wide use. These are the entries that match this subject, with their status today.
- Technology · GeoengineeringSingle Step Desalination Systems
Single step desalination systems take salt out of sea water in one process. This makes the water safe to drink and to use in factories.
- Expected wide use
- 2036
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 5 of 9
- Technology · MaterialsAtmospheric Water Harvesting
Atmospheric water harvesting uses special materials to pull water out of the air, even in deserts. Sun or cooling then lets the water out so people can drink it.
- Expected wide use
- 2038
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 7 of 9
- Trend · EnvironmentalWater Scarcity and Stress
- Expected wide use
- 2018
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Trend · UtilitiesDesalination and Reuse Boom
- Expected wide use
- 2030
- Status in 2026
- Prepare
- Trend · TechnologyData Centre Water Limits
- Expected wide use
- 2029
- Status in 2026
- Prepare
Source: the 311 Starburst, researched by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (data built 2026-10-28). Status rings: Act now means wide use by 2027, Prepare 2028 to 2030, Explore 2031 to 2035, Watch 2036 or later. Explore the Starburst Centre.
311 analysis
What leaders should take from it
- Measure your water risk by site and supplier: water scarcity is already an Act now trend.
- If you build or rent data centres, expect water limits as part of planning and permits.
- Desalination and reuse are scaling this decade; they change where industry and farming can grow.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
Next steps
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Answers
Common questions
Can technology solve water shortages?
It can ease them. The 311 Starburst treats water scarcity as an Act now trend and a boom in desalination and reuse as a Prepare trend, while newer methods such as atmospheric water harvesting are further out.
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