Research & Insight
A curated library of leading research on water infrastructure — investment needs, funding mechanisms, resilience, circularity, and policy reform — from governments, multilaterals, industry associations, and research institutions. These are the references that frame why water is the defining infrastructure opportunity of our era.
Highly Recommended
Start here for the most timely and authoritative perspectives on the global water-investment imperative.
World Economic Forum · 2025
A global view, with the University of Cambridge and Acea, quantifying the investment gap and its socio-economic impact. Finds every €1 invested returns ~€1.30 in gross value added; closing the gap could unlock €8.4T in GDP and 206M jobs. Includes 27 case studies.
Veolia & NAWC · 2026
A practical guide for utilities and governments to fund, modernize, and secure U.S. water systems — covering AI and real-time monitoring, a six-step modernization framework, and public-private partnerships. Warns deterioration costs could be 7× higher by 2039 if investment lags.
UK Government · Defra · 2026
A once-in-a-generation reform of the UK water sector: a new integrated regulator (replacing Ofwat), consolidated supply and environment planning, a new water ombudsman, and a major infrastructure-investment programme — responding to the Cunliffe Review's 88 recommendations.
ASCE · Infrastructure Report Card · 2025
The authoritative assessment of America's aging water systems: distribution and transmission account for 67% of future needs, more than 9 million lead service lines remain, and the funding gap is projected to grow to $620B by 2043 without action.
Foundational & Further Reading
NACWA · 2022
Analyzes investment needs across drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater, and documents how federal spending on water lags roughly tenfold behind other infrastructure sectors despite comparable need.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation & Antea Group · 2019
A foundational framework connecting circular-economy principles with sustainable water management — establishing a shared language between water and circular-economy practitioners, with wide-ranging case studies.
These resources are published by third parties and are shared here for reference and education. WaterRising Institute is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, the publishing organizations. Links open on the publishers' own sites; some downloads may require registration.
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