Water is under relentless pressure; from toxic chemical pollution to unchecked industrial overuse, a vital resource is becoming one marked by scarcity and contamination. As droughts become more widespread and water-intensive industries like data centers and microelectronics continue to boom, so does the demand for clean, reliable water. As Rod McNelly, VP and GM, water solutions and services, North America, industrial and utilities, Xylem Inc., puts it: “Ten years ago, droughts were largely confined to arid regions, but now, nearly every state in the U.S.—except Alaska and Kentucky—has experienced droughts.”

With that rising demand comes a need for chemical-driven treatment solutions. “Contaminants such as PFAS, which weren’t on the radar 20 years ago, are now major concerns,” says McNelly. “At least 60 percent of the U.S. population is likely to have ‘forever chemicals’ in their tap water.” Once seen as part of the problem, chemical companies are now actively working to be part of the solution. The urgency and scale of the global opportunity are hard to overstate. Scott Rook, CEO of Chemtrade Logistics, explains that its chlorine helps treat up to: “70 percent of drinking water in Western Canada and up to 60 percent in the Western U.S. Only 40 percent to 50 percent of Brazil’s sewage is treated, but the government aims to increase this to over 90 percent within five years. The potential for growth in water treatment chemicals in Brazil is enormous.” As water use intensifies, so, too, does the complexity of what needs to be removed. New contaminants are emerging—ranging from persistent industrial chemicals to microscopic plastic particles—adding new layers to water treatment requirements. “Water quality is multifaceted, involving removing contaminants, killing bacteria, and addressing emerging issues like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics. While we excel in coagulant production, filtration—a rapidly growing field—is an area we’re exploring. We’re investigating how to enter this space and align it with our broader water treatment business strategy,” Rook adds.

Olin Corporation is also scaling up to meet the demand. “While many think of chlorine as primarily for swimming pools, it’s also essential for water treatment,” says Kenneth T. Lane, president and CEO. “We’re leaders in bleach production ... and we’re looking into building a salt-to-bleach plant in Southern California to meet regional needs.” Beyond chemistry, microbial control is equally crucial. Sanjeev Rastogi, CEO of Arxada, notes: “Our products ... are used extensively in sectors like health care, restaurants and hospitality, from cleaning surfaces to maintaining hygienic water systems.” In food, the risks are even starker. “In the U.S. alone, there are approximately 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually, resulting in 3,000 deaths. ... We treat the water used in agricultural irrigation to prevent microbial growth on fruits and vegetables.” From filtration and coagulants to chlorine and microbe control, the chemicals industry is no longer just part of the water conversation—it’s leading it.