© Prince Hussain Aga Khan / Focused On Nature
Our Strategy
The Water Foundation empowers individuals, organisations, and states to develop strategic capacity, increase resilience, and shape circular water and resource infrastructures for the future.
We build an ecosystem that addresses one of the least appreciated challenges of our time: water scarcity and impending degradation of our water systems.
Strategic Approach
We develop water strategies and solutions across the water cycle and for each and every water challenge. We enable the research, development and scaling of new or hidden technologies.
Our setup enables us to receive donations and apply best practices in blended finance for development and impact.
Film © Florian Wagner
Crisis Analysis
Priority High
Water scarcity and contamination rising globally.
Resource Scarcity
Water is quickly becoming the world's most critical resource. As scarcity and contamination rise, so does the urgency for bold, scalable solutions.
Opportunity Matrix
Impact High
Innovation Meets Impact
This is more than a crisis. It's a call to invest in the future, where innovation meets impact.
Rising Demand
As global water challenges intensify, the demand for breakthrough technologies in water treatment and management is rising.
Water Innovation Flywheel
Our integrated approach creates a continuous cycle of innovation, investment, and impact across the water ecosystem
Anchor, capital, thought leadership
The Water Foundation
Each component of our ecosystem feeds into the next, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that accelerates water innovation. From early-stage ideation to industrial-scale deployment, we ensure that promising solutions receive the support they need at every stage of their journey.
Investing in Circular Water Technology
Investment and innovation in PFAS destruction technologies have increased significantly since 2020, driven by growing regulatory pressure and demand for solutions that can permanently destroy PFAS rather than simply remove them from water.
Cleantech Group, PFAS Destruction Technologies See Surge in Innovation and Investment, 2025
The Water Foundation's commitment to investing in circular water technology is a crucial step towards addressing the global water crisis. By supporting innovative solutions, empowering local communities, and fostering global partnerships, the Foundation is working to create a more sustainable and equitable water future for all.
Circular Economy Benefits
- Reduced water waste and pollution
- Energy recovery from wastewater
- Nutrient recycling for agriculture
- Sustainable urban water systems
One Water
An integrated approach to water sustainability and resilience.
- Reliable and Resilient Water Utilities
- Thriving Cities
- Competitive Business and Industry
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems
- Social and Economic Inclusion
- Healthy Waterways
US Water Alliance, One Water Roadmap, 2016
© Prince Hussain Aga Khan / Focused On Nature
Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Our work directly contributes to multiple SDGs, creating a ripple effect across global development targets.
6
Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensuring access to clean water and proper sanitation for communities worldwide through innovative technologies and infrastructure development.
Primary alignment
13
Climate Action
Addressing water-related impacts of climate change through adaptive technologies and resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events.
Primary alignment
11
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Promoting sustainable development in local communities by building resilient water systems that support long-term growth and prosperity.
Additional contribution
17
Partnerships for the Goals
Fostering global collaboration to achieve the SDGs by bringing together governments, businesses, NGOs, and communities in coordinated water initiatives.
Additional contribution
We Don't Bet on Silver Bullets. We Underwrite the Ecosystem.
This is not charity: it's catalytic capital designed for systemic return.
The Water Foundation's supporters provide us with a solid financial base to supercharge this process.
Partner with usExplore Further
- Water DashboardWhat the world loses each year, what meeting the targets needs, what actually reaches water, and who is still not served.
- Investment StrategyThe first principles behind our investment strategy, and the three vehicles it works through.
- ArtesiansOur private circle of capital, operators and next-generation stewards.