Global water investment to surge in 2025

Global law firm White & Case LLP has released a new report, Currents of Capital 2025, revealing strong investment momentum in water infrastructure, technology and services throughout 2024, with capital deployment set to rise further in 2025

The findings are based on a survey of over 300 senior leaders from across the water value chain, including utilities, multinational corporations, investment funds, engineering firms and technology providers in more than 20 countries.

According to the report, 30% of respondents invested over US$500mn in the water sector in 2024, with 15% allocating more than US$1bn.

Infrastructure funds led this activity, deploying an average of US$1.3bn each, nearly matching the average US$1.5bn from public sector entities.

Multinational corporations accounted for much of the remaining investment.

Looking ahead, 72% of organisations expect to increase their water-sector spending by up to 50% in 2025, while 4% anticipate even steeper increases.

This signals rising confidence in the sector, underscoring growing awareness of water’s importance to both economic security and sustainable development.

Investment priorities are shifting, with 40% of respondents now viewing water as their top investment focus and 33% targeting portfolio growth, moving away from maintenance-driven spending towards strategic expansion.

Technology is seen as a central enabler of this shift, with more than 60% citing AI as the most likely driver of transformation in the sector.

While Western Europe and North America remain the top destinations for capital deployment, geographic diversification is picking up pace.

Asian investors are expanding into Western markets to tap advanced water management technologies, while 29% of all respondents are exploring new regional opportunities.