Foreword Water underpins the health, prosperity and resilience of cities worldwide. Yet the global water crisis is intensifying. From increasing scarcity and pollution to more frequent floods, water- related risks are accelerating under the combined pressures of climate change, urbanization, population growth and economic development. As cities expand and populations concentrate in urban areas, managing water wisely and equitably is no longer optional; it is a fundamental enabler of sustainable and resilient development, economic stability and human well-being. Addressing water challenges requires more than novel technologies or isolated policy efforts. It demands whole-system, cross-sectoral solutions that bring together public and private actors, align regulatory and financial incentives and promote environments that enable innovation to thrive. Despite encouraging advances, water innovation remains hindered by fragmented efforts, limited investment and an absence of enabling mechanisms to translate ambition into impact. Recognizing these challenges, Imperial College London and the World Economic Forum partnered through the Hoffmann Fellowship programme, generously supported by André Hoffmann, which empowers scientists and researchers to bridge academia and practice in tackling global challenges. This collaboration enabled the exploration of how innovation ecosystems in cities and the broader water sector can be accelerated. The strength of this partnership lies in its blend of academic depth and rigour, together with the Forum’s global convening capacity, driving engagement across government, industry, finance and civil society. Already, this collaboration has achieved key milestones, including convening more than 130 stakeholders in six global cities, co-hosting World Water Day 2025 in London and presenting the research at high-level panels and strategic dialogues to raise international interest in water innovation ecosystems. Beyond research and engagement, the outcomes of this ambitious fellowship programme converge to a strategic framework and a practical toolkit, designed to help stakeholders map their enabling environments, identify barriers and define actionable pathways towards resilience and innovation at scale. Its name, Water-BOOST (Bridging Opportunities and Optimising Support Toolkit), summarizes its spirit and purpose. Crucially, Water-BOOST is not only a tool for cities. Its adaptable, systems-based design makes it relevant to water-sector ecosystems more broadly, including industrial, rural and regional contexts. It offers structured guidance on how diverse actors – utilities (utility service providers), regulators, innovators, investors, academia and community organizations – can work together to create environments in which water solutions are piloted and, critically, scaled. This report presents the outcome of two years of collaborative research and stakeholder engagement, demonstrating the value of structured partnerships among academia, industry and global organizations to address systemic challenges. Ultimately, Water-BOOST is a call to action to rethink how we approach water – not just in cities but across all water-dependent systems – and to unlock innovation as a catalyst for water security, resilience and equitable growth.Mary Ryan Vice-Provost, Research and Enterprise, Imperial College LondonTania Strauss Head of Sustainable Growth and People Agenda; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum Water-BOOST: Enabling Innovation for Future-Ready CitiesOctober 2025 Water-BOOST: Enabling Innovation for Future-Ready Cities 3

Water BOOST Enabling Innovation for Future Ready Cities 2025