The unspoken value of water infrastructure

Water infrastructure forms the backbone of development, being pivotal for water, food and energy security. Both existing and new infrastructure must cope with global climatic challenges and increased human activity. Continuous investment in water infrastructure is crucial, yet in many cases, investments are deferred as they are not perceived as a priority, leading to deterioration, and public attention typically only arises after accidents or malfunctions occur. A prevailing lack of social awareness, combined with the mismatch between infrastructure lifespan and political cycles, further limits political will—especially regarding investment in ageing systems. This article was prepared to accentuate the extraordinary value provided by water infrastructure. Examples of recent global events are used to exhibit the profound benefits that rarely make their way into traditional cost-benefit analyses to inform decision making. These examples also showcase how essential sustainable development activities (SDG 6, 7, 9) would be severely compromised in their absence. This perspective also contributes to the ongoing debate about water infrastructure not being “fit for finance”, arguing that current financing and investment frameworks –as well as public perception– fail to capture the true societal and macroeconomic value of such systems, thus reinforcing their importance amidst changing climatic and human pressures. • Water infrastructure supports vital sectors, including water, food and energy security. • Infrastructure's true value does not always align with stakeholders' interests. • Its significant macroeconomic impacts are often overlooked, which may cascade into insufficient funding. • Flood protection infrastructure is essential for safeguarding society from extreme weather events. • This is often forgotten when flood protection is successful.