02/18/2026
Review
In their review Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi and colleagues map the extent to which the water-energy-food nexus has been conceptualised and the consideration of additional dimensions beyond the biophysical, linked to environmental and social outcomes.
Image credit: Mabhaudhi et al., CC BY 4.0
02/12/2026
equity and justice
A systematic review by Spurthi Kolipaka et al. reveals a disjuncture between popular narratives and women’s lived realities when it comes to the intersection of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) with gender.
Image credit: Women walking by Wietse Jongsma, Unsplash
02/03/2026
Essay
In this Essay, Stephen Gasteyer and colleagues analyse the barriers to a better understanding of the 'myth' of universal household access to potable water and sanitation in the United States.
Image credit: Water tap by Ralf Ruppert, Pixabay
02/17/2026
Access and security
Donald John MacAllister et al. demonstrate the complexities of rural water supply performance, as shaped by dynamic, multidirectional interactions between communities, technology, and the physical environment.
Image credit: MacAllister et al., CC BY 4.0
03/12/2026
Essay
In their Essay, Maura Allaire and colleagues argue that distinctive governance features in the U.S. have shaped uneven coverage in access to adequate wastewater infrastructure, with impacts from unincorporated communities and highly localized planning, management, and financing.
Image credit: Manhole cover by David Keller, Pixabay
02/09/2026
Editorial
In this Editorial, Jon Lane reflects on some of the key themes and outcomes of World Water Week 2025 and call our collective attention on the innovative and progress work focused on water for climate action.
Image credit: Jamie Males
04/03/2026
WATER USE AND MANAGEMENT
Boyao Tian and colleagues showcase the development of a hydro-economic model designed to support sustainable groundwater management in agricultural water use and irrigation decision-making.
03/11/2026
Opinion
By Rafael Pérez-Escamilla
Image credit: Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, CC BY 4.0
03/30/2026
water quality and pollution
By Michael Zhuo Wang et al.
Image credit: Wang et al., CC BY 4.0
03/23/2026
Review
Roberto Roson and Martina Sartori
Image credit: Cracked brown soil by redcharlie, Unsplash
02/26/2026
health impacts and sanitation
By Kaela Connors et al.
Image credit: Person holding jar by Diego PH, Unsplash
Explore this Collection in partnership with the UNC Water Institute, of critical research in the WASH sector, across both PLOS Water and PLOS Sustainability and Transformation.
Explore this exciting collection of papers on watersheds and health.
Learn about the call for in this Gates Foundation collection across several PLOS journals.
Read the full set of articles in this exciting collection.
We welcome Professor Sera Young professor of anthropology at Northwestern University, to PLOS Water as our new co-Editor-in-Chief.
Learn more about the latest call for papers for our ongoing special collection of articles in partnership with the UNC Water Institute across PLOS Water and PLOS Sustainability and Transformation.
Learn more about this recent paper in PLOS Water as we speak with Claire Grisaffi and team.
Learn more about this recent paper in PLOS Water as we speak with authors Deepak Timalsina and Michael Zhuo Wang
Learn more about recent work in PLOS Water and PLOS Global Public Health as we speak with authors Bethany Caruso and Emily Ogutu.
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