Worldwide, one person in three has insufficient water. China, the world’s fastest-growing economy, is water-poor; it has between one-third and one-quarter of the global average amount of fresh water per inhabitant, and most of its cities have inadequate sewerage infrastructure. Most Indians lack access to clean water; even in affluent, middle-class areas of New Delhi, water is often turned on for just half an hour a day, forcing residents to rise at 5am to fill pots and baths. Urbanization and population growth are driving up demand, and supply is limited, so prices of water and water-related services are increasing. It’s below the radar screen of most investors but the price of water is rising on average at about 10% a year. Investment opportunities are therefore emerging....
