0%10%20% Middle East Oceania Europe Africa North America Latin America Asia18% 15% 11% 11% 9% 5% 1% Similarly, RWH offers a complementary circular water practice with significant potential. Today’s high population densities and increasingly extreme weather events expose limitations on traditional stormwater networks. In response, RWH captures rainfall that would otherwise be lost, storing it for later use. The collected water can serve non-potable and, when properly treated, even potable uses. RWH can also enhance infiltration and contribute to aquifer recharge. RWH helps balance supply during peak periods, reducing stormwater runoff and flood risk by up to 70%,20 with a water-saving potential of 10-30%.21 CASE STUDY 7 Microsoft and FieldFactors – BlueBloqs Urban Replenishment in Madrid Madrid faces water stress from droughts, urban flooding and soil sealing. To address these challenges, Microsoft partnered with FieldFactors to implement the BlueBloqs rainwater management technology in Valdebebas. BlueBloqs captures up to 95% of local rainfall, treats it through biofiltration and recharges it into the Valdebebas stream, a tributary of River Jarama. With a projected capacity of 200 million litres harvested annually, the system will reduce flood risk, improve water quality and restore natural flows in the city. This project demonstrates how circular water solutions can enhance urban resilience, support aquifer recharge and secure resources for future generations, offering a replicable model for cities facing climate and water management pressures. FieldFactors was recognized by the UpLink platform of the World Economic Forum as a leading “Aquapreneur” in 2024. Finally, closed-loop systems can address the water conservation challenge in industrial contexts, especially in cooling processes. By collecting used process water and treating it through technologies such as membrane filtration, biological treatment or disinfection, water is reintroduced into the production cycles, offering a water saving potential estimated at 50-75% of the current industrial consumption of water.22 Bridging the €6.5 Trillion Water Infrastructure Gap: A Playbook 21

Bridging the 6.5 Trillion Water Infrastructure Gap A Playbook 2025