Water Resiliency

According to the UN, 1 in 3 people could suffer water stress by 2030
WATER RESILIENCY
Most countries today rely heavily on only one or two sources for their water
needs—often rainfall-fed
reservoirs or groundwater. But climate change, overuse, misuse and
population growth
are making
these sources unreliable or unsustainable. Having
a
diversified portfolio of sources and strong
government mandates that leverage reuse,
desalination, natural recharge and local innovation
is how
the most resilient countries are tackling the problem.
Best in class

ISRAEL: the global leader in practical reuse, WCPC – 137 litres/day
Water security has been a top national priority since the 1950s, driven by scarcity, security, and agriculture. It pioneered national-scale wastewater reuse and desalination early on. The government leads strategy, but the private sector is deeply embedded—especially in technology (e.g., Netafim, IDE Technologies). Israel also exports water know-how through development aid and global consulting.
- 100% wastewater treated
- ~85–90% of all wastewater is reused
- 0% reused for drinking
- ~85–90% reused for agriculture (e.g., drip irrigation)
- 60–80% of potable water from desalination (5 plants)
- AWG: R&D stage only
- Rainwater: rainwater and aquifer recharge encouraged
- Leakage: ~8–10%
- Policy: Tiered pricing + subsidies for tech adoption
- Projects: National Water Carrier, drip irrigation, 1959 Water Law
Companies to Contact
AWG (Atmospheric Water Generation)
Singapore: High-Tech Urban Resiliency, WCPC – 148 litres/day
Since the 1970s, water security has been strategic policy in land- and resource-scarce Singapore. The city-state launched its ultra-clean NEWater program in 2003, and aims for 55% reuse contribution by 2060. Led by the government-run Public Utilities Board (PUB), but supported by private sector R&D and tech vendors. It’s a model of high-efficiency, tech-enabled resilience.
- 100% wastewater treated
- 40–50% of treated wastewater reused
- ~2–3% reused for drinking (IPR)
- ~97% used in semiconductor & industrial cooling
- 30–35% of total supply from desalination
- AWG: Limited use
- Rainfall: 100% of rainfall captured into reservoirs
- Leakage: <5%
- Policy: Smart metering + pricing + public education
- Projects: 4 National Taps Strategy; NEWater since 2003

Companies to Contact
Recycled and Reuse

Malta: Island Resiliency by Necessity, WCPC – 110-135 litres/day
Malta has limited natural water resources, so water reuse and desalination are existential needs. The country has invested in water tech since the 1990s and now treats 100% of wastewater. The program is entirely government-managed, with some EU co-funding. The private sector plays a supporting role, but innovation is largely public-driven.
- 100% wastewater treated
- 60% of wastewater reused
- ~5% (IPR) blended into groundwater
- ~95% reused in agriculture/landscaping
- ~60–70% of potable water from desalination
- AWG: None
- Rainwater: cisterns mandatory in buildings
- Leakage: ~24% (under reform)
- Policy: Water conservation campaigns; tech grants
- Projects: Water Catchment Management Plan (EU-aligned)
United Arab Emirates: Desert Innovation, WCPC – 325 liter/day
The UAE faces extreme aridity, so water reuse and desalination are national imperatives. Investment accelerated after 2000, with smart cities and massive landscaping projects driving water demand. The government leads, but the private sector builds and operates many desal/reuse plants via public-private partnerships (PPPs).
- 98–100% wastewater treated
- 85–90% of (DUBAI) wastewater is reused
- 0% for drinking
- ~100% reused in irrigation/landscaping
- ~42% of national supply from desalination
- AWG: pilot projects in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
- Rainwater: no mandates yet
- Leakage: ~30% (Dubai aims for 10%)
- Policy: High tariffs, smart irrigation, AI-based monitoring
- Projects: Masdar City, large-scale reuse zones


Netherlands: Water Engineering Powerhouse, WCPC – 129 litres/day
With centuries of mastery over water, the Netherlands is a world-renowned expert in water system design, adaptive infrastructure, and climate resilience. Its regional Water Boards — some of the oldest democratic institutions in the world — manage everything from flood control to wastewater treatment. While direct reuse volumes are modest, the Dutch excel in aquifer recharge, circular urban water systems, and ecosystem-based flood protection. The private sector leads in greenhouse water reuse, and cities like Rotterdam are pioneering climate-resilient urban design. Investments in resilient water infrastructure have been sustained since the 1970s.
- 100% wastewater treated
- 5% of treated wastewater reused
- 0% for drinking
- Reused in agriculture, aquifer recharge, urban wetlands
- No desalination
- AWG: Not significant
- Rainwater: Urban rain harvesting + flood control systems
- Leakage: ~6%
- Policy: Tiered pricing, sustainability incentives
- Projects: “Room for the River”, Living with Water policy
Germany: Precision Meets Sustainability, WCPC – 121 litres/day
Germany sets the standard for water system reliability, with over 96% of wastewater treated and among the lowest leakage rates in the world (~6%). Its utilities are highly regulated, self-financing, and built for long-term sustainability. Public water is managed as a common good, not a commodity. Citizens consume modestly (~121 L/day) and water-saving behaviours are deeply ingrained. While reuse levels are low, waste is minimized at every stage — making the system resilient by design.
- 96% wastewater treated
- 10–15% of treated wastewater reused
- 0% for drinking
- Used in agriculture, industry, and energy cooling
- No desalination
- AWG: None
- Rainwater: Rain gardens + permeable infrastructure
- Leakage: ~6–7%
- Policy: Environmental tax system encourages reuse
- Projects: EU Water Framework Directive compliance


Namibia: Pioneers of Direct Potable Reuse, WCPC – 163 litres/day
Namibia is the first country in the world to use direct potable reuse (DPR). Windhoek’s DPR system began in the 1960s and continues today. Water reuse is led by the government, but supported by international development partners and NGOs. Investment is growing as climate risk rises.
- 80–85% wastewater treated
- ~25% of Windhoek’s wastewater reused
- 25–35% of city’s water is from DPR (potable)
- Rest used in green spaces and irrigation
- Minimal desalination (some coastal plants)
- AWG: being explored
- Rainwater: Urban aquifer recharge
- Leakage: <20% in Windhoek
- Policy: National strategy + donor funding
- Projects: Windhoek DPR, global best-practice case
Czech Republic: Rising Central European Performer, WCPC – 130-140 litres/day
The Czech Republic follows strong EU water regulations and has recently scaled up reuse. The program is government-led with technical support from the private sector. Progress accelerated post-2010 with climate adaptation funding.
- 96–98% wastewater treated
- 25–30% of treated wastewater reused (European ave 5–10%)
- 0% for drinking
- Reused for agriculture and aquifer recharge
- No desalination
- AWG: None
- Rainwater: Small-scale rain capture programs
- Leakage: ~15%
- Policy: EU co-funded water infrastructure
- Projects: Integrated River Basin Management Plan


Australia: Resilience from Crisis, WCPC – 200-250 litres/day
Australia’s water resilience accelerated during the Millennium Drought (1997–2009). It has built major desalination plants and indirect potable reuse systems in cities such as Perth and Brisbane. Water is managed by state agencies with strong private contractor involvement.
- 96% wastewater treated
- ~14% of wastewater reused nationally (higher in dry states)
- Widely reused in dry regions for agriculture
- ~40–50% of water from desalination in some cities
- AWG: in remote mines
- Rainwater: Widespread urban rainwater systems
- Leakage: ~10–12%
- Policy: Usage restrictions + conservation rebates
- Projects: National Water Initiative; permanent reuse capacity