Circular Water Economy: An Our Future Water Insight on Water Security, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Infrastructure

As climate change, water stress, and infrastructure challenges intensify, traditional water management approaches are no longer sufficient. This expert Insight explores how the circular water economy—structured around the 5Rs framework of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, and Restore—can enhance water security, improve climate resilience, and enable long-term sustainability.

Written for water professionals, urban planners, and climate adaptation specialists, this publication offers practical guidance across governance, finance, and technology. Learn how to integrate circular principles into water policies, unlock financing through innovative models such as green bonds and revolving funds, and deploy digital and decentralized technologies that support system-wide transformation.

Inside you’ll find:

• Strategies to align circular water practices with national and local water security goals
• Financing mechanisms to support circular infrastructure and services
• Emerging technologies for reuse, recovery, and ecosystem restoration
• Scalable design principles for resilient and modular water systems
• Governance tools for regulatory clarity, innovation, and stakeholder engagement