Despite the centrality of water, and the fact that existing circular solutions, technologies and innovative finance are expanding the tools available to modernize water systems, investment remains insufficient. A projected €6.5 trillion infrastructure gap by 2040 could leave billions of people exposed to absent or outdated systems. Responding to calls from leading intergovernmental organizations, this paper amplifies the voice of the global water industry within the World Economic Forum ecosystem. Developed in collaboration with Acea and the University of Cambridge, it quantifies the global infrastructure gap, assesses the socio-economic benefits of closing it, and offers a strategic playbook for advancing equitable access, infrastructure resilience, circularity and innovation. Drawing on 27 best practices, it shows that solutions already exist and can be adapted and scaled. Above all, it calls for coordinated leadership and a renewed commitment to water stewardship.
Bridging the €6.5 Trillion Water Infrastructure Gap: A Playbook
