With increasing demand and constraints on supply, global water scarcity is increasing. Constraints to water availability have economic implications and business will need to demonstrate that they have assessed the long term sustainability of their business models through water risk assessments of their supply chains, their business process (and location) and future consumer demands; and have developed water management programmes to counteract these risks.The increase in global water scarcity will also offer opportunities to business in developing new sources of water (e.g. desalination and recycling); improving the supply of freshwater reserves through infrastructure upgrades; improving the efficiency of water use and in reducing water pollution. We would also expect a general increase in the recognition of the value of water leading to increased prices for water, benefiting water utilities in general.