Water Is No Longer Overlooked — It’s Becoming Essential

For years, water has been one of the most underappreciated sectors in global markets.

That’s changing—fast.

Over the past 12–24 months, water has begun to shift from a background infrastructure issue to a front-line economic priority. Not because of hype, but because of reality.

Demand is rising. Supply is constrained. Infrastructure is aging. Regulation is tightening.

And capital is starting to follow.

The Conditions That Drive Investment Cycles

The most successful investment sectors tend to share a few characteristics:

• Demand is non-discretionary
• Infrastructure is underbuilt
• Spending is mandated or regulated
• Capital arrives late—but then accelerates

Water now checks every one of those boxes.

This is not theoretical. It’s structural.

Industrial users need it to operate. Municipalities are required to provide it. Governments are investing heavily to secure it. And climate pressure is making delays increasingly costly.

When those forces converge, investment cycles form—and they tend to last for decades.

Capital Is Already Moving

Recent data points make this clear:

• Over $1B annually is flowing into water technology investments
• The European Investment Bank committed €15B to water-related initiatives in 2025
• Institutional investors are increasing allocations to water infrastructure and treatment technologies
• Venture funding in water tech has reached or approached record levels

Major organizations—from global consulting firms to financial institutions—are now describing water as a long-term structural investment theme.

This is not early speculation.

This is early confirmation.

Why Water Is Different From Other Sectors

Water has a unique investment profile:

1. It is non-cyclical — demand does not fall in downturns
2. It is regulated — spending is often required, not optional
3. It is local and physical — meaning infrastructure must be built and maintained
4. It is globally constrained — scarcity is increasing

Very few sectors combine all of these characteristics.

Even fewer are still early enough in their capital cycle to offer asymmetric upside.

The Technology Inflection Point

Historically, water has lagged other industries in innovation due to:

• Long adoption cycles
• Conservative buyers
• High reliability requirements

That phase is ending.

New technologies are now:

            Proven at pilot scale

            Demonstrating clear ROI

            Moving into early commercial deployment

As a result, the sector is transitioning from:

Validation → Deployment → Scale

That transition is where value is created.

The Window for Early Positioning

In infrastructure-driven sectors, timing matters.

Early capital:

• Enters before institutional saturation
• Benefits from valuation expansion
• Aligns with strategic acquisition demand

Later capital:

• Pays higher prices
• Accepts lower upside
• Competes for access

The water sector is now moving through that transition point.

Where IX Water Fits

At IX Water, we have spent years doing the hard part:

            Developing and protecting core technology

            Engineering full-scale systems

            Validating performance in real-world conditions

            Positioning for industrial deployment

While much of the market is just beginning to recognize the opportunity, we are already aligned with it.

That positioning matters.

Because when capital accelerates into a sector, it does not fund ideas—it funds readiness.

The Bottom Line

Water is no longer an overlooked infrastructure category.

It is becoming one of the most important—and investable—sectors in the global economy.

The shift is underway.

Capital is moving.

Adoption is accelerating.

The only real question is timing.

The opportunity is not in recognizing the trend — It is in positioning ahead of it!

Portions copyright 2026, Hayduke Environmental Consulting. Used with permission.

Top 12 Recent Articles Supporting Water Investment

1.“Rising Tide: Growth Projections for Water Investment” (2025)

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👉 Massive capital is already flowing into water, with many organizations investing $500M+ annually, signaling institutional conviction. 

2. “3 Trends Defining Water Innovation in 2025” – World Economic Forum (2025)

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👉 Water is becoming core to global business strategy and climate resilience, not optional infrastructure. 

3. “Investing in Water Tech: Why Now and Where to Focus” (2025)

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👉 Huge supply-demand gap + underinvestment creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity in water tech. 

4. “Is Water Investment Set to Surge?” – Roland Berger / White & Case (2025)

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👉 Describes a “rising tide of capital” and a historic opportunity for investors in water infrastructure and tech. 

5. “Water Tech 2025: Innovation Meets Urgency” (2026)

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👉 Venture investment remains near record highs, showing sustained investor confidence in the sector. 

6. “WaterTech Funding Trends 2025” (2025)

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👉 Investors are actively targeting specific high-growth segments in water tech, indicating market maturity and specialization. 

7. “WaterTech Challenge: Funded Startups in 2025” (2025)

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👉 Water tech funding hit record levels (~$1.12B), driven by scarcity, regulation, and infrastructure demand. 

8. “The State of Water Tech Funding 2025” (2025)

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👉 Investment has “shattered previous records,” signaling a structural shift in investor appetite. 

9. “Breadth and Depth Make Water an Attractive Long-Term Investment” – Robeco (2025)

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👉 Water is a stable, long-duration growth theme driven by infrastructure cycles and climate pressure. 

10. “The Urgent Case for Water Innovation” (2024–2025)

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👉 Returns are becoming increasingly compelling as technologies reach commercial adoption. 

11. Reuters: “EIB to Invest €15B in Water Sector” (2025)

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👉 Governments are deploying tens of billions and crowding in private capital—classic early signal of a major investment cycle.

12. Wall Street Journal: “Opportunity in U.S. Water Infrastructure” (2025)

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👉 Water infrastructure is viewed as resilient, long-term, and less volatile than energy, attracting new dedicated funds.

— IX —

The Trump administration announced a proposal Monday, Nov. 17, that would significantly limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate pollution in wetlands, rivers, and streams. The rule would exclude many waterways that flow only seasonally or after it rains from federal protection under the Clean Water Act. While this would benefit businesses, real estate developers and more, it would harm anyone who recreates in or drinks water.
Environmental groups warn the change could remove safeguards from up to 55 million acres of wetlands, roughly 85 percent of the nation’s total, threatening drinking water sources and increasing flood risks. “The administration is preparing to rip away protections from the vast majority of wetlands in the United States,” said Andrew Wetzler of the NRDC.
The proposal stems from the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA, which limited federal oversight to wetlands with a “continuous surface connection” to a “relatively permanent” water source. The administration now defines “relatively permanent” as flowing year-round or during a wet season — excluding thousands of smaller streams that feed major drinking-water systems.
Conservation groups argue the rule will lead to more pollution and higher water treatment costs. Industry groups, including home builders, farmers, and developers, strongly support the proposal, saying it will reduce burdensome permitting requirements and lower construction expenses.
The rule will undergo a 45-day public comment period once published in the Federal Register.
Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/climate/epa-curbs-protections-for-wetlands.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20251118&instance_id=166653&nl=the-morning&regi_id=76436517&segment_id=210819&user_id=5fbe01eef6d227b259af1eb3685b4e1b

By Max Koelsch 

We trust that when we turn on the tap, the water we drink is safe. But what if it’s not? All over the world, our medications are polluting drinking water. Tiny amounts of antidepressants, birth control, antibiotics, and chemotherapy drugs are ending up in rivers, lakes, and eventually, our homes. People flush leftover pills, throw them away, and these substances slip into the water system.  Since most treatment plants aren’t made to catch them, they stay in the water. They are invisible to us, but they still have major effects on our health. 

This isn’t just a science issue, but rather a huge health issue for animals and humans alike. In some rivers, scientists have found fish with both male and female organs, caused by long-term hormone exposure. Some fish have started acting differently after being exposed to medications meant to treat mental illness in people. If this has detrimental effects on fish, what could be its effects on us? Well, even low levels over time could raise the chances of hormone-related cancers. They could make it harder for people to have kids. They could affect babies before they’re even born. In fact, it’s already happening.  

It’s scary how easy it is to overlook. The water looks clean and tastes just fine, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. However, we are not hopeless because there is a solution. We can upgrade our water systems with better tools that actually filter these chemicals out. We can make it easier for people to return unused medications instead of flushing them. We can speak up and push for stronger rules on how drugs are made and disposed of. But it all starts with people knowing the truth. Once we understand what’s at stake, we can care enough to do something about it. And that’s how things start to change.

Works Cited

“The Impact of Pharmaceuticals Released to the Environment | US EPA.” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 14 November 2024, https://www.epa.gov/household-medication-disposal/impact-pharmaceuticals-released-environment. Accessed 25 June 2025. 

Yale School of Medicine News. “Intersex and Behavioral Changes in Fish: Your Medications Could Be the Cause.” Yale Medicine, 2022, medicine.yale.edu/news-article/intersex-and-behavioral-changes-in-fish-your-medications-could-be-the-cause/. Accessed 25 June 2025.

U.S. Geological Survey. “Pharmaceuticals in Water.” USGS Water Science School, 2010, www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/pharmaceuticals-water. Accessed 25 June 2025.

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. “Diabetes Drug Found in Freshwater Is a Potential Cause of Intersex Fish.” UWM News, 24 Apr. 2015, uwm.edu/news/diabetes-drug-found-in-freshwater-is-a-potential-cause-of-intersex-fish/. Accessed 25 June 2025.

Colorado University Boulder Today. “Gender‑Bending Fish Problem in Colorado Creek Mitigated by Treatment Plant Upgrade.” CU Boulder Today, 21 June 2010, www.colorado.edu/today/2010/06/21/gender-bending-fish-problem-colorado-creek-mitigated-treatment-plant-upgrade. Accessed 25 June 2025.

U.S. Geological Survey. “Tap Water Study Detects PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Across the US.” USGS News, 2023, www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/tap-water-study-detects-pfas-forever-chemicals-across-us. Accessed 25 June 2025.

Environmental Health Perspectives. “Pharmaceuticals in Water—An Interdisciplinary Approach to a Public.” EHP, 2009, ehp.niehs.nih.gov/0901532. Accessed 25 June 2025.

Raleigh, City of. “Contaminants of Emerging Concerns.” Raleigh NC Water & Sewer Services, 2025, raleighnc.gov/water-and-sewer/services/contaminants-emerging-concerns. Accessed 25 June 2025.

Florida One Health. “Are We Making All Fish Female?” UF/IFAS One Health Blog, 15 Feb. 2022, blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/onehealth/2022/02/15/are-we-making-all-fish-female/. Accessed 25 June 2025.

Illinois News Bureau. “Study Found Male Fish That Had Female Qualities in the Des Plaines.” University of Illinois News, 2015, blogs.illinois.edu/view/7447/507571. Accessed 25 June 2025.

What is it, and why is it dangerous?

Written by one of our excellent interns, Everett Tompkins

On many coasts, unfortunately, a process called saltwater intrusion can occur, where saltwater can contaminate wells. The sucking out of water from the ground limits the freshwater’s ability to deflect the saltwater back towards the ocean, causing the saltwater level to rise. The picture below can illustrate this phenomenon.

Source: USGS.gov, Public Domain

Due to changes in the climate, the rise of ocean water relative to the water table of fresh water can increase the risk of saltwater intrusion. By using recent metrics from sources such as the U.S. Geological Survey, water managers can limit and prevent saltwater intrusion.

But why should we worry? Firstly, it can be dangerous for our bodies. For adults with high blood pressure, a maximum of 1,500 mg of sodium per day is recommended. The EPA limit sodium to 250 mg/L for water; an adult would get 500 mg of sodium a day just from their water, contributing to ⅓ of their maximum recommended daily intake. For Maryland, a coastal state, 32.2% of adults have high blood pressure. Additionally, salt in water can increase the mobility of metals such as cadmium, copper, and lead in both infrastructure and soil. These can cause kidney damage, liver damage, and brain damage. Second, it can be hazardous to infrastructure. Chloride, a component of salt, can prevent the formation of protective layers on metal, making the metal more prone to corrosion. This corrosion can cause an increase in water contamination and thinning of plumbing materials.

Works Cited

Bui, Tiffany. “Salt: Health and Safety.” Clean Water Action, Clean Water Action, 29 September 2021, https://cleanwater.org/2021/09/29/salt-health-and-safety. Accessed 4 June 2025.

Water Resources Mission Area. “Saltwater Intrusion.” U.S.G.S. | Science for a changing world, U.S. Geological Survey, 2 March 2019, https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/saltwater-intrusion. Accessed 4 June 2025.

This article was written by our excellent intern Liam Roarty

Somalia and Climate

Since its founding in 1960, Somalia has struggled with chronic food and water scarcity.  Situated in the rain shadow of the Ethiopian highlands–which deflects storms away from the country–and outside the path of the Indian Ocean’s monsoons, Somalia has always been dry.  Climate change, however, has worsened the situation, and constant internal conflict has done little to rectify it. 

In the last 20 years global rainfall has averaged about 800mm, but most of Somalia is far below that mark, clocking a maximum of 348mm with some regions dropping to the 100 or 50mm mark–orders of magnitude under the global average and five times less than the 250mm requirement for an area to be considered a desert. (NCEI.Monitoring.Info@noaa.gov) (World Bank Group)  Despite this, however, efforts are still being made to improve the country’s situation.  One such effort is the growing research into and use of sand dams.

What are Sand Dams?

Sand dams, as described by the Water Project–a leading promoter of their use to transform African environments–are reinforced cement dams, placed in sandy, seasonal rivers.  These dams not only hold water, as other dams do, but also hold back the flow of sand and other sediment downstream.  This sediment holds water throughout the dry season, where a standard dam would allow it to evaporate, allowing for well use year-round while also recharging the local groundwater.

In a country such as Somalia, where rainfall is both seasonal and scarce, these efficient and easy-to-make sand dams could change the game, allowing for increased agricultural production year-round.

Success on the Ground

Re-entering the country in 2015, the World Bank placed renewed focus on supporting water in Somalia.  Despite concerns about the Somali Government’s capacity to receive and utilize money for the construction of the dams, substantial progress has been made.  After initial investments showed the idea’s merits, the Biyoole (Somali for water carrier) project soared with an initial $42 million in funding and nine dams already constructed.  These dams have massively improved the quality of life surrounding the new water points, allowing for livestock, agriculture, and local water access.

The Future

While an end to the conflict in Somalia remains doubtful and the ever-worsening climate persists, renewed world investment in the country’s water resources has–and will continue to–improve the population’s situation.  Plans are in the works for more dam construction, and researchers are digging into the potential for groundwater expansion more than ever.

The impact of a solution found in Somalia would be revolutionary. In a world of finite water, such an inexpensive and easy-to-upkeep way of maintaining the supply could transform the way we deal with droughts, deserts, and scarcity in general.

Works Cited

NCEI.Monitoring.Info@noaa.gov. “Climate at a Glance | Global Time Series | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).” Noaa.gov, 2025, www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/global/time-series. Accessed 4 June 2025.

World Bank Group. “World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal.” Climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org, 2021, climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/somalia/climate-data-historical.

The Water Project. “How Sand Dams Work.” The Water Project, 2019, thewaterproject.org/sand-dams.

What Makes Pipes Safe, and What Doesn’t?

Pipes; Who needs them?

Throughout every home in America, there is a complex network of tunnels that provide every American with essential water and waste disposal, often silently contributing to the overlooked simplicity of life. However, the importance of these pipes goes beyond flushing toilets. Drinking water transported by these pipes makes the difference between the healthy lifestyle of a developed country and countries without advanced infrastructure, the latter of which have collectively experienced approximately 505,000 deaths every year due to contaminated drinking water (1).

The importance of piping and plumbing has never been more important than now; major advancements in science and technology have led to a greater and grander understanding of what is in the food and water Americans consume. From the discovery of microorganisms by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek to the invention of the modern water filter by John Gibb; humanity as a whole has become progressively more concerned with what our water contains beyond its initial elements. Coincidentally, through this education, people have discovered that sometimes the toxicity in drinking water comes as a result of their pipes.

Pipes can be epicenters for all kinds of contamination; at any moment, a completely safe pipe could become the origin of your demise(2&3). It is only through extreme regulation and care from the US government, which has spent over 620 billion dollars on public water systems in the past 20 years alone(4), that the system of piping in cities across the US stays functional and safe for those who use it. However, the pipes in your home and property are not generally subject to scrutiny or review by the government, leaving the opportunity for lead poisoning, bacterial infection, or microplastics just from your own tap water. 

Taking Initiative, Know Your Pipes

Despite the possible side effects of the common household pipe, there are many different pros and cons associated with each household pipe configuration. Ultimately, it is most important to know what risks a household can face from its piping; from poisonous metals to potentially deadly bacteria, pipes are far from perfect.

Lead Pipes, an Old-Fashioned Threat

Lead piping has been a major concern over the past few decades, especially after the discovery of lead leaching that allowed for the toxic lead in the pipes to slowly break free and enter into drinking water. Thanks to work from the government and especially organizations like the EPA, many of these lead pipes have been replaced across the US; however, the EPA estimates that 9.2 million lead service lines (LSLs) serve water to properties in communities across the United States(5), meaning that a large quantity of Americans could still be consuming lead with their water to this day

This begs the question, why even be afraid of lead pipes? In actuality, lead pipes pose a significant threat to the consumer. The main concern involving lead consumption has to do with lead toxicity and lead poisoning; both deadly afflictions that result from a buildup of lead in the body, even in seemingly innocuous amounts. This illness is especially common in children under 6, and can result in developmental difficulties and even permanent brain damage or amnesia in adults(6).

Copper Piping, the New Lead

Copper piping is the new normal. For many years now, the US has used copper piping in almost every home, attesting to its durability and longevity. It is the main piping for over 95% of homes built in the US(7). This makes sense, copper is cheaper, lighter, and easier to install than lead; it can be molded in many ways that lead can’t, and is welded together with solder instead of held together with clamps, making it the clear winner against lead piping.

Copper pipes, however, come with their own difficulties, many in the same way as lead. 

Coincidentally, copper piping has been known to also leech into the water that it transfers, contributing as well to health problems such as severe gastrointestinal distress and even permanent kidney and liver damage(8). Ultimately, copper provides only a less immediate problem than lead, which has made it the primary pipe used throughout the US.

PEX, For Better or for Worse

Despite the abundance of copper piping throughout homes in the US, there is a movement towards a possibly safer option, which is PEX pipe (cross-linked polyethylene). A significantly more flexible and disposable material. PEX is simply plastic tubing made to withstand the same workloads as copper. It is already being used in many homes, as its flexibility makes it the most ideal to work with and easiest to replace.

However, it would be a stretch to say that it is safer than copper. Though PEX pipe is made from a plastic resin and can be made to withstand all sorts of different pressures, it still contributes to the same problem as both lead and copper, which is leaching. Although, possibly worst of all, PEX pipe is known to leak microplastics into the water it transfers, especially when exposed to chlorine or low Ph water, PEX piping can suddenly become a deadly commodity as it leaches several toxins such as toluene and MTBE(9). Ultimately, these toxins are neurotoxic and can lead to several forms of cancer, and studies have found that the combination of these makes PEX less safe than PVC(10).

In the end, the environment your water exists in ultimately decides what you are putting in your body, and it is up to you to decide how clean and pure you want your water to be. The best method of staying safe and clean is monitoring your pipes and filtering your water. At-home water tests are also a cheap and efficient way to see if your water has any problems.

Work Cited

“Drinking-water.” World Health Organization (WHO), 13 September 2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water. Accessed 4 June 2025.

“A deadly bacteria lurked in the pipes at NIH—and at least 12 patients fell ill.” Advisory Board, Advisory Board, 2 January 2019, https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2019/01/02/water-contamination. Accessed 4 June 2025.

Johnson, Ryan C. “Investigation of a Cluster of Sphingomonas koreensis Infections.” The New England Journal of Medicine, The New England Medical Journal, 26 12 2018, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1803238. Accessed 4 June 2025.

“ASCE’s 2025 Infrastructure Report Card.” ASCE’s 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, https://infrastructurereportcard.org/cat-item/drinking-water-infrastructure/. Accessed 4 June 2025.

“Lead Service Lines | US EPA.” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 17 January 2025, https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/lead-service-lines. Accessed 4 June 2025.

“Spot symptoms and limit exposure-Lead poisoning – Symptoms & causes.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lead-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20354717. Accessed 4 June 2025.

“Plumbing: TechCorner -.” Copper Development Association, https://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/restools/bnfts_cu_plmbng.html. Accessed 4 June 2025.

“Copper poisoning Information.” Mount Sinai, https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/poison/copper-poisoning. Accessed 4 June 2025.

Stoiber, Tasha. “Amid Pipe Wars, Researchers Wary of Plastic Pipes Leaching Chemicals.” Environmental Working Group, 14 November 2017, https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/amid-pipe-wars-researchers-wary-plastic-pipes-leaching-chemicals. Accessed 4 June 2025.

Kelley, Kevin M. “Release of drinking water contaminants and odor impacts caused by green building cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plumbing systems.” ScienceDirect, ScienceDIrect, 15 December 2014, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0043135414006289. Accessed 6 June 2025.

Frozen in Time: The Curious History of the Thames River

Winding through the heart of London, the River Thames is far more than just a body of water—it’s a witness to centuries of triumphs, tragedies, and transformations. Flowing for over 200 miles, the Thames has carried Roman ships, Viking invaders, royal barges, merchant goods, sewage, and now, the lifeblood of one of the world’s greatest cities.

But beyond its steady flow through history lies one of the most fascinating and lesser-known episodes in the river’s past: the Frost Fairs of the 1600s.

During a climatic period known as the Little Ice Age, Europe experienced unusually cold winters, and the Thames, which was broader and slower before modern embankments and bridges, froze solid on multiple occasions. Between 1607 and 1814, the river froze deeply enough that Londoners didn’t just walk across it—they partied on it.

Known as Frost Fairs, these icy festivals transformed the river into a surreal, floating carnival. Entire streets of makeshift stalls sprang up overnight on the ice, with vendors selling mulled wine, roasted meats, and baked goods. Children skated, jugglers performed, and horse-drawn carriages clattered across the ice as if it were cobblestone.

Perhaps the most extraordinary feature of these fairs was the pop-up printing presses, where printers would churn out commemorative flyers, poems, and even mock newspapers declaring “Printed on the Ice of the Thames.” One surviving print from the 1684 fair reads, “Behold the liquid Thames now frozen o’er / That lately ships of mighty burden bore.”

These frosty celebrations weren’t without risk, though. As the weather warmed, the ice could break apart without warning. There are grim records of stalls collapsing into the icy waters, and unfortunate partygoers who didn’t make it out.

The last of these great Frost Fairs took place in 1814. Just a few years later, the climate warmed, and new engineering projects—like the construction of the new London Bridge with fewer piers—allowed the river to flow faster, making future freezings nearly impossible.

Today, the Thames remains a dynamic and ever-present force in the life of London. It no longer hosts winter festivals on ice, but its banks continue to be a gathering place for celebration and commerce, culture and community. Beneath its murky surface lie centuries of stories, and while you may not see it freeze over again, the river’s history is still very much alive.