Dive Into the Water Market: A Guide to Investing in Water in India6-min read

Parth Dubey

Parth Dubey |  Updated on 14/9/2024

Water is an essential resource, one that sustains life on Earth, yet its scarcity is becoming a significant global issue. With rising populations, industrialization, and climate change, the demand for water is increasing rapidly. By 2050, global water demand is expected to rise by 55%, mainly driven by agricultural and industrial needs. Water is no longer seen just as a resource but as an economic commodity, leading to a surge in investments in water-based assets. For a country like India, where water availability is under pressure, these trends have substantial implications for both the environment and the economy.

In recent years, water investments have evolved into a distinct asset class, allowing investors to engage in water futures, water infrastructure projects, water utility companies, and technological advancements in water management. The objective is to both safeguard water supplies and leverage its economic potential. This article will provide a thorough exploration of how water can be an investment opportunity, particularly in the context of India, where water is critical for agriculture, urban development, and industrial growth.

In This Guide:

Verified Online Brokers for Water Investments in India

Types of Water Investments

Water Investments in India: Key Factors

Risks and Challenges in Water Investments

Future Prospects and Conclusion

References

Verified Online Brokers for Water Investments in India for October 2024

AvaTrade offers a wide range of financial instruments, including stocks, ETFs, currencies, and commodities, but currently, it does not provide specific options for trading water as a commodity or direct investment in water-related assets in India. AvaTrade focuses more on contracts-for-difference (CFDs), which allow traders to speculate on the price of assets such as stocks and commodities but do not offer water-specific futures or ETFs tied to the water sector​.

CoinBharat artwork about water investing

For Indian investors looking to gain exposure to water investments, other brokers like Interactive Brokers or Zerodha provide broader access to global water ETFs, such as the Invesco Water Resources ETF or the iShares Global Water UCITS ETF, which invest in companies involved in water infrastructure, utilities, and technology. Kotak Securities also offers investment options in water-related stocks like VA Tech Wabag, a prominent player in India’s water infrastructure industry​(

Thus, while AvaTrade is a versatile platform, for those specifically interested in water-related investments, exploring these alternative brokers might be more beneficial.

AvaTrade Review

AvaTrade Review

star-empty star-empty star-empty star-empty star-empty
star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Pros

  • list bullet Swift Account Setup: Account activation in approximately 5 minutes with an efficient digital process.
  • list bullet Robust Support & Education: 24-hour multilingual support and comprehensive educational resources through AvaTrade Academy.
  • list bullet Diverse Investment Products: Over 1,260 tradeable symbols, including Forex and cryptocurrency CFDs.

Cons

  • list bullet Withdrawal Timeframe: Although competitive, withdrawals can take up to two business days.
  • list bullet Mobile App Features: While AvaTrade's mobile apps are innovative, they lack some advanced features compared to other industry leaders.

Types of Water Investments

There are several ways to invest in water-related assets. Let’s look at the key types of water investments that have gained traction globally and in India.

  1. Water Futures
    A relatively new area, water futures allow investors to speculate on the future price of water. Much like futures contracts for oil, natural gas, or gold, water futures are sensitive to regional water supply and demand dynamics. The first such market was established in California in 2020, given the state’s recurrent droughts and high water demands. In water-scarce regions like India, the potential for water futures is significant, especially as climate patterns become less predictable, leading to fluctuating water availability and pricing risks. However, this form of investment is still in its infancy in India and requires robust regulatory oversight.
  2. Water Utility Companies
    Water utility companies manage the supply and treatment of water for domestic, commercial, and industrial use. They are vital in urban infrastructure, dealing with water distribution networks, sewage treatment, and water recycling. Investments in water utility companies can provide stable returns as water is a basic necessity with consistent demand. Indian water utilities, many of which are state-owned or operate under public-private partnerships, offer long-term growth potential. With the government’s push towards improving urban water infrastructure under schemes like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Jal Jeevan Mission, these companies are likely to see increased investment flows​.
  3. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) Focusing on Water
    Water-based Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) offer diversified exposure to a portfolio of water-related companies, including those in water treatment, desalination, and infrastructure. Global water ETFs include holdings from companies like Veolia, American Water Works, and Xylem, which focus on various water-related services. In India, although such ETFs are relatively less developed, global ETFs offer Indian investors access to global water infrastructure growth. With Indian industries increasingly focusing on efficient water management, there is potential for local water ETFs to emerge in the future.
  4. Agricultural and Farmland Investments
    In India, where 80% of freshwater is used in agriculture, water availability is crucial for the country’s food security. Investments in farmlands with sustainable water management practices or water rights are valuable. With the advent of precision irrigation technologies, drip irrigation, and government initiatives promoting water-efficient farming, this sector presents lucrative opportunities for investors. India’s agricultural reforms, alongside the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, aim to improve water use efficiency, further making this sector attractive for investment​.

Water Investments in India: Key Factors

India presents a unique opportunity for water investments due to its large population, rapid urbanization, and heavy reliance on agriculture. However, the country also faces significant water-related challenges:

  1. Water Scarcity
    According to a report by NITI Aayog, India is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. Several major Indian cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai, are at risk of running out of groundwater. This scarcity is exacerbated by inefficient water usage in agriculture and inadequate water infrastructure. The World Bank estimates that by 2030, India could face a 50% gap between water supply and demand​. This makes investment in water conservation, management, and infrastructure crucial for the country’s future.
  2. Government Initiatives
    The Indian government has recognized the critical need for better water management. The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide tap water connections to all rural households by 2024, and already, over 50% of households have benefited from this initiative​. Similarly, the Namami Gange Program aims to clean and rejuvenate the Ganga River, a lifeline for millions of Indians. These initiatives open avenues for private sector investments in water treatment, supply, and infrastructure.
  3. Private Sector Participation
    India’s water infrastructure is ripe for private sector participation. The government has encouraged private investments through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in building water treatment plants, desalination units, and water distribution networks. Private players are already investing in innovative solutions, such as smart water meters, water-efficient irrigation systems, and wastewater treatment technologies​.
  4. Technology and Innovation
    Emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and smart sensors are being integrated into water management systems to monitor water usage, detect leaks, and optimize water distribution. In India, startups focusing on water-tech innovations are gaining traction. Companies are also investing in desalination plants, especially in coastal cities facing freshwater shortages. With India being the second-largest market for water and wastewater management technologies, this area presents a strong growth potential​.

CoinBharat artwork of a beautiful woman bathing under a waterfall

Risks and Challenges in Water Investments

While water investments offer significant opportunities, they also come with risks:

  1. Regulatory Challenges
    Water is a politically sensitive issue in India. Regulations can change quickly based on regional needs, electoral pressures, and public opinion. Water pricing is often subsidized, and any attempts to commoditize or privatize water can face strong opposition from both political entities and the public.
  2. Environmental and Ethical Concerns
    Water is a public good, and there are ethical concerns about treating it as a commodity. Privatization of water resources, if not managed properly, can lead to unequal access, disproportionately affecting lower-income communities. In India, where water availability varies drastically between regions, such concerns are magnified.
  3. Climate Change
    Climate change poses a significant risk to water investments. Droughts, floods, and erratic monsoons can disrupt water availability, making water investments highly unpredictable in some regions. However, this also opens opportunities for investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and technologies that can mitigate these risks​.

Future Prospects and Conclusion

The future of water as an investment is closely tied to global sustainability goals and the increasing demand for clean water amidst rising scarcity. In India, the growing urbanization, the need for efficient agricultural water use, and the government’s focus on improving water infrastructure make water investments a promising venture.

Investors looking at water as a commodity should consider the long-term potential, driven by factors like climate change, agricultural demands, and the global push for sustainable development. In India, investments in technologies like desalination, smart water systems, and sustainable irrigation practices can yield both financial returns and positive social impacts. However, the sector requires careful consideration of regulatory frameworks, environmental impacts, and ethical dimensions to ensure that water remains accessible to all while becoming a key component of the investment portfolio.

By integrating technological innovation, policy reforms, and sustainable management practices, India can secure its water future and create significant opportunities for investors looking to make a meaningful impact on both the environment and the economy.

References: Investing in Water

FAQs

What is a commodity and how is water traded as a commodity?

A commodity is an economic good that can be bought, sold, or traded. As concerns about the future availability of water rise, it has now joined the list of other commodities traded on Wall Street, such as gold, silver, and oil.

What are the benefits of investing in water commodities through online brokers?

Investing in water as a commodity through online brokers allows easy deposits and withdrawals and increased exposure to one of the rapidly-rising markets. Also, investors can diversify their portfolios.

What are the different types of water investments available to retail investors?

Investors can gain exposure to the water market by investing in the stocks of companies that are dominant in the water or the agro-industry along with investing in water exchange-traded funds or ETFs.

How much money do I need to start investing in water commodities through online brokers?

The minimum deposit for investing via Admiral Markets and Libertex can range from somewhere between $50-$100.

What are the risks of investing in water commodities and how can I manage them?

Much like the commodity that it trades, the water market can be quite volatile at times and in order to keep your money safe, you need to invest only in those ETFs or stocks that have a reputation and have been around for a long time.

Are there any tax implications for investing in water commodities in India?

Investment in stocks and ETFs are taxed at 20% in India. Therefore, for every $100 profit, you need to pay $20 to the government.

Can I trade water commodities through mobile apps provided by online brokers?

Yes, platforms such as AvaTrade allow you to do so.

How do I monitor my water commodity investments and track their performance?

Using the dashboard, one can easily track their investments in Admiral Markets and Libertex without any hassle.

What are some additional resources for learning about investing in water commodities and the water market?

To know more about investment in water, you can access websites like Investopedia and Money Made. On the other hand, at the end of the movie The Big Short, it was said that Michael Burry was focusing all of his trading on one commodity: water. So, to gather an investment mindset, the movie is suggested. One can also read, “Planet Water: Investing in the World's Most Valuable Resource” by Steve Hoffmann to know more.