ABSTRACT
Water challenges can be categorized as a wicked problems for a variety of reasons including their tendency to arise from complex adaptive systems and their misalignment between reality and perception (e.g., the true cost of water). Nevertheless, wicked problems offer vast opportunities for innovation in technology, business models, strategy, partnerships, investment, policies, and more. More so, wicked problems offer the opportunity for disruptive innovation – innovation that breaks from the status quo by offering a lower-cost alternative, increased efficiency, and/or added functionality. This type of innovation will be necessary for addressing global water challenges.
