Water may cover 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, but only a tiny portion of it — about 3 percent — is freshwater. And even less of that is readily accessible for daily sustenance, supporting ecosystems and powering industries. Yet this precious resource is being depleted at an alarming rate due to excessive consumption, pollution and poor management.
Freshwater use is one of the nine planetary boundaries that define the safe operating space for humanity. When we cross that line, we disrupt not just ecosystems, but economies, public health and food systems. Today, more than two billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water, while over 70 percent of freshwater withdrawals are used in agriculture, often inefficiently.
Amid these challenges, solutions are already taking shape in surprising corners of the world, offering valuable lessons to policymakers and stakeholders.
Singapore has transformed itself into a global leader in urban water management through the Four National Taps strategy: imported water, desalinated water, rainwater collection, and recycled wastewater known as NEWater. With over 60 percent of wastewater recycled into potable-quality supply, Singapore shows how policy, public education, and tech investment can change a water-scarce nation into a water-secure one.
Innovation is also making an impact in Africa. In Kenya, solar-powered water ATMs allow families to collect clean water with prepaid cards, helping reduce waste and ensure fair access in informal settlements. Meanwhile, Rwanda has implemented real-time monitoring of water points to detect leaks or failures, reducing system downtime and saving precious resources.
What these countries share isn’t geography or inherent abundance, but a common resolve. Each faced a looming water crisis and chose to respond not just with impressive engineering, but with strong governance, strategic public-private partnerships, and a genuine willingness to invest in long-term sustainability.
So, where does this leave the Philippines?
We are not yet water-scarce, but fragmented systems, aging infrastructure, and growing climate stress have worsened water insecurity in the country. Our cities suffer from leaks and supply gaps, while rural areas still lack consistent access to potable water. Metro Manila loses around 40 percent of its treated water to pipe leaks and theft. Meanwhile, many upland and coastal communities remain dependent on unreliable sources.
The good news is that innovative solutions are emerging across the Philippines, showing smarter and more sustainable ways of managing water resources. Aboitiz InfraCapital, the infrastructure arm of Aboitiz Equity Ventures — the Philippines’ first techglomerate — is at the forefront of delivering smart, sustainable solutions that power communities and promote economic growth.
Apo Agua Infrastructura, a subsidiary of Aboitiz InfraCapital, has built a bulk water supply system powered by hydropower in Davao, reducing dependence on groundwater while protecting surface sources like the Tamugan River. It’s one of the first in the country to integrate renewable energy into water distribution at scale.
What we need now is scale and replication. Local governments must be empowered to develop integrated water resource plans. Utilities must adopt non-revenue water reduction programs, incentivize rainwater harvesting, and invest in wastewater recycling. Protecting watersheds must also be a national priority.
If Singapore can drink what was once sewage, and if Kenya can deliver clean water to informal communities through solar-powered ATMs, then the Philippines can certainly build a future where every Filipino, whether in bustling cities or remote rural areas, has access to safe, sustainable water.
Time, however, is of the essence. We must act now because once we cross the planetary boundary for freshwater use, there is no turning back. The opportunity is still in our hands — drop by precious drop.