The water sector doesn’t have an innovation problem — it has an implementation problem. Investment is at a record high and the pipeline is full, yet few proven solutions ever become standard practice. Drawing on the World Economic Forum’s new deployment report and over 70% adoption rates at the Trial Reservoirs Initiative, Jo Burgess argues that the next decade will be won on implementation — and that the discipline to design every trial as the first step of a deployment is what separates the winners from the stalls.
Many water technology trials stall at closeout. Here are three best practices to help participants evaluate results and agree on next steps.
Trial Reservoirs Initiative is de-risking water sector pilots through US partnerships that support underserved communities and solve critical water challenges.
Real-time N₂O control helped Rennes Métropole cut wastewater emissions and energy use through AI-driven optimization and smarter aeration.
The Trial Reservoirs Initiative is scaling water innovation from trials to implementation, delivering measurable impact, funding and climate benefits.
Trial and purchase agreements in the water sector help convert successful trials into adoption. Learn how to structure agreements and overcome procurement barriers.
Environmental risks are now operational realities for utilities. Learn how data, testing and the Trial Reservoir Initiative help build resilience under stress.
Explore where water-technology investment is growing and how emerging funding priorities are shaping real-world trials and the next wave of scalable solutions.
Four years on, the Trial Reservoirs Initiative marks a milestone in turning water innovation into adoption across utilities and the wider water sector.
How the Trial Reservoir and Tech Ascend Foundation are accelerating water innovation, reducing risk, and enabling climate-resilient solutions.