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G20 Summits • 2026 Miami Summit | Road to the 2026 Miami Summit
G20 Energy Ministerial Meetings

G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Statement
Pillar II: G20 Water Reuse Initiative

Houston, Texas, September 15, 2026
[pdf]

We, Ministers of the G20 who assembled in Houston, Texas, for the Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting, recognize that water sufficiency, safety, quality, quantity, affordability, and accessibility are fundamental to societal well-being, health, national interests, economic prosperity, and the resilience of ecosystems, as well as for safe drinking water. Reliable, resilient, and sustainable water supplies support economic development, existing and emerging sectors within industry, energy production, agriculture and urban systems, enabling reliable operation without disruption. The G20 stands committed to clean water for all, recognizing the fundamental importance of safe drinking water and sanitation. Nature and the beauty of our planet are a tremendous gift. Fully respective of national sovereignty, we will strengthen our efforts to advance the preservation and conservation of our lands, water resources, and natural heritage.

Taking into account domestic priorities and solutions, and respective international commitments and in a spirit of cooperation, advancing science- and evidence-based, cost effective, non-prescriptive “fit-for-purpose” approaches for water reuse can deliver a critical resource to meet community and economic needs while easing pressure on freshwater resources and ecosystems and ensuring effective wastewater treatment and pollution control. Fit-for-purpose may mean using water of treated quality appropriate for the application, taking into account applicable water quality requirements and criteria and operational needs of each end use, while recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to water reuse and to related technologies. Water reuse, alongside desalination and relevant approaches and technologies aiming at sustainable water resilience, can contribute to reducing operational and environmental impacts, including aquatic ecosystems, improving resilience to water stress, enhancing overall water and energy performance, and improving long-term water resilience. Fit-for-purpose approaches based on science, sound planning, and effective monitoring can be a powerful tool to improve environmental protection and human well-being and drive economic growth while enhancing water resilience.

The G20 Water Reuse Initiative is to voluntarily convene through the G20 Water Dialogue and cover collaboration and exchange of experiences on domestic “fit for purpose” approaches which may include:

1. domestic permitting and regulatory approaches including improving the efficiency of administrative procedures for wastewater reuse, where appropriate, and in line with applicable regulatory frameworks while maintaining environmental and health safeguards;
2. environmental protection practices;
3. best practices and innovation;
4. water quality monitoring methodologies and best practices for water reuse; and
5. reclamation and recycling efforts across high water-use sectors including, as appropriate, energy production, manufacturing, agriculture, municipal water management and data centers, according to water availability and in line with domestic priorities.

We recall that the G20 Water Reuse Initiative is voluntary, non-prescriptive, and non-normative and does not seek to develop international standards, benchmarks, or requirements in our respective domestic regulations. We may contribute voluntarily and, in line with our priorities, may engage accordingly to advance best practices and technical exchanges on water reuse.

G20 Voluntary Actions

• Welcome the G20 U.S. Presidency to facilitate, through the G20 Water Dialogue, voluntary exchanges among policy, science, and technology experts;
• Contribute to a voluntary action annex of the G20 Water Reuse Initiative that will comprise voluntary actions and contributions from participating G20 members
• Implement participatory and inclusive collaboration and cooperation to share best practices and innovations;
• Encourage “fit for purpose” concepts and approaches for water, in line with domestic regulatory frameworks and national circumstances, and respective international commitments, as appropriate, while promoting flexibility, affordability, and accessibility and avoidance of negative economic, social, and environmental impacts;
• While protecting human health and ecosystems, support and discuss fit-for-purpose solutions, including innovative, conventional, and locally appropriate solutions, and approaches that may aim at:
• Implementing water resources management to meet respective economic development needs and social and environmental priorities;
• Reducing pollution at source;
• Conserving and strengthening local freshwater ecosystems;
• Promoting effective and efficient water use and wastewater treatment;
• Diverse solutions applicable to different circumstances;
• Strengthen drought preparedness and resilience, acknowledging water scarcity and water stress;
• Improve operational and resources efficiency of critical energy and water infrastructure while ensuring affordability, accessibility, resilience, public health, and environmental safeguards;
• Encourage voluntary exchange on private sector involvement as appropriate, to promote dialogue on the economic benefits of water reuse to stimulate investments, while recognizing the important role of public and private investment and water services.
• Host or participate in technical exchanges and pilot projects;
• Work towards reducing costs for economic activities through safe, efficient water reuse, where appropriate;
• Exchange information focused on innovative technologies, equipment, and best practices, including affordable and adaptable solutions suitable for different local conditions and monitoring approaches;
• Share case studies highlighting projects and co-benefits at data centers, refineries, agricultural reuse, food and other relevant industrial sectors;
• Identify key collaborative research opportunities, including through hosted workshops on key research to inform best practices for treatment for various reuse applications;
• Promote and disseminate these contributions within the relevant international conferences and fora;
• Encourage improved conditions for mobilizing finance from all sources to support investment in quality water reuse infrastructure and technologies;
• Support collaborative capacity building, skills development, institutional and technical assistance, access to appropriate technologies, and knowledge sharing to enhance water reuse governance, technical capabilities, and water management including through voluntary public-private partnerships and private-sector involvement, as appropriate.

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Source: US Environmental Protection Agencey

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