Water-BOOST was intentionally designed as a flexible, systems-based framework, piloted across six global cities to demonstrate its versatility in diverse geographies and institutional settings. Its core value lies in providing a structured approach to assess and strengthen water innovation ecosystems, making it equally applicable to industrial zones, rural communities, peri-urban regions and catchment-scale governance. To move beyond benchmarking, an interactive Water-BOOST prototype has been developed through a research initiative at Imperial College London. Designed as a decision-support tool, the platform enables users to visualize stakeholder networks, assess enabling conditions and explore contextual data for strategic planning. It also integrates socioeconomic indicators – including GDP per capita, Human Development Index (HDI), Gini index (a World Bank measure of income inequality) and access to safely managed drinking water – helping users position cities within a broader global landscape. These features enhance transferability, making it easier to identify comparable contexts and adapt relevant solutions. A preview of this early- stage prototype is included in this report’s Appendix, where interested readers will also find guidance on how to explore the platform further. The initial prototype marks a first step towards transforming Water-BOOST into a scalable, digitally enabled platform. By full development, it aims to support governments, funders and innovators in designing more coherent, inclusive and innovation- ready water systems – bridging the gap between ecosystem understanding and strategic action. Further enhancements under consideration include: –Expanding application to underrepresented cities: Extending fieldwork to contexts such as São Paulo, Montevideo, Nairobi, Sydney and Kigali to broaden the evidence base and strengthen global relevance –User-driven data input: Enabling cities and water stakeholders to self-assess and contribute to a growing global database –Lightweight post-processing and AI integration: Automating aspects of analysis to improve scalability while maintaining rigour –Embedded technology guidance: Already prototyped in Imperial’s platform, linking system gaps to curated innovation typologies and real- world aquapreneurs –Participatory refinement: Through workshops, scenario planning and validation sessions to test clarity, stress-test assumptions and align design with operational needs The framework is relevant at multiple levels of governance: –Global: Supporting alignment with international initiatives such as the United Nations Water Action Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 by enabling consistent innovation- mapping and comparative analysis –National: Informing regulatory reform, investment priorities and innovation policies aimed at strengthening water resilience –Regional (e.g. watershed or basin level): Enhancing upstream–downstream coordination and cross-jurisdictional planning – in line with initiatives such as Water Futures’44 third pathway on basin-level partnerships45 –Local and community: Empowering cities, utilities and user groups to co-design water innovation pathways tailored to local needs and capacities Its intended users include decision-makers at multiple levels – from city planners, regulators and utilities to entrepreneurs and investors. Milestones such as the Forum’s Urban Transformation Summits 2025 and 2026 and the UN Water Conferences in 2026 and 2028 offer critical testbeds to apply and refine Water-BOOST, turning its insights into concrete strategies that can shape the global water innovation agenda.4.3 Scaling and future directions Water-BOOST: Enabling Innovation for Future-Ready Cities 39

Water BOOST Enabling Innovation for Future Ready Cities 2025