Perestroika and the transformation of water management
Perestroika, a Russian term meaning “restructuring,” refers to a series of economic and political reforms led by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s, aimed at modernizing the Soviet Union and making it more efficient and sustainable. These reforms were necessary to avoid the collapse of the system, promoting greater economic and political openness. Any situation close to collapse demands an acknowledgment of its causes and the proposal of solutions.
Today, the world is facing a global water crisis that calls for a "water perestroika" to prevent the collapse of our water systems. The Water Positive movement emerges as a transformative response to the need for restructuring water resource management, ensuring that more water is returned to the environment than is consumed. This new paradigm, driven by large corporations and international organizations, aims to secure the planet’s sustainability and the resilience of communities.
To better understand the impact and urgency of this transformation, we spoke with José Carlos Gil Jara, Water Positive Manager at Aganova, whose expertise in water optimization and replenishment strategies helps us explore how this model can revolutionize water availability.
Water positive: The new water restructuring
What exactly does it mean to be Water Positive, and how can it transform water management?
Being Water Positive means returning more water to the environment than is consumed. But this is not just a conservation effort; it’s a complete transformation in the way we manage water—comparable to the perestroika in the Soviet economy. It’s not just about reducing usage, but about innovating in the creation of “new water” through technologies like desalination, reuse, water harvesting, and reducing losses in supply networks, to ensure that everyone in the world has access to water in the quantity and quality required by the United Nations. Being Water Positive means leaving no one behind!
The Water Positive movement emerges as a transformative response to the need for restructuring water resource management, ensuring that more water is returned to the environment than is consumed
The limit is water resource conservation, but the real goal is to be Water Positive to achieve sustainability and ensure sufficient water for a growing population affected by climate change. This model is not the future—it is the present.
Cost reduction and resource optimization
How can Water Positive strategies reduce the cost of water distribution?
Just as perestroika sought economic efficiency, Water Positive focuses on water efficiency and also brings economic improvement. Reducing water losses in supply networks is an investment that pays off in less than a year. No other initiative has such a quick return. With innovative technologies like advanced acoustic detection and artificial intelligence, we can accurately identify leaks in water transport networks, enabling equally precise repairs, shorter work times, and less disruption for users. Once the leak is fixed, the water saved leads to lower production and distribution costs.
Resilience to climate change
How can a Water Positive approach help communities become more resilient?
Returning to the Perestroika analogy: “Humanity has lost its immortality,” said Gorbachev, referring to the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation. I would argue that the water crisis poses an even greater threat, because a war against Nature cannot be won. Without strategies like Water Positive, the world will face an unsustainable future. Integrated water management cannot rely on chance, but rather on “positive causality” driven by political and corporate commitment. We need a restructuring of water systems to adapt to climate and demographic challenges—one that not only protects but also increases the availability of the most essential natural resource for life: water.
Ecosystem restoration and water security
What impact do water replenishment projects have on ecosystems?
A water system in crisis affects food security, biodiversity, and ecological balance. Water Positive projects restore aquifers, maintain ecological flows, and improve water availability. As with Perestroika—where economic liberalization brought new challenges and opportunities—water restructuring also requires a shift in mindset and urgent action.
Ecosystem restoration and water security are not a choice, they are a responsibility.
Economic opportunities in the new water era
Beyond environmental benefits, what economic opportunities can arise from Water Positive?
Perestroika opened new opportunities for trade and investment. Similarly, Water Positive is creating an economic revolution in the water sector. Technology, engineering, and water management companies are innovating and creating jobs. Sectors such as agriculture and industry, which depend on water, must adopt this model to ensure their long-term viability.
Responsible production and consumption (SDG 12) require vast amounts of water, as industry and agriculture consume over 80% of the resource. While producing a pair of jeans may use up to 5,000 liters of water, a person only needs 50 to 100 liters a day (SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation). Therefore, it is essential for these sectors to adopt sustainable practices and focus on becoming Water Positive.
As with Perestroika, where collaboration between government and the private sector was key, the success of Water Positive requires an alliance between public administrations and businesses
Water must be seen as a strategic asset central to all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, the primary and secondary sectors offer significant economic opportunities. Water Positive projects generate benefits across the value chain, driving industries such as engineering, construction, and infrastructure.
These projects typically have a 10-year lifespan and encourage ongoing reinvestment, improving infrastructure and enhancing system sustainability. This is not a one-off effort, but a long-term commitment.
A call to action: Governments and businesses
What message would you give to governments and companies looking to adopt Water Positive strategies?
As with Perestroika, where collaboration between government and the private sector was key, the success of Water Positive requires an alliance between public administrations and businesses. Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta have already committed to becoming water positive by 2030, proving that sustainability is not just a moral obligation but also a smart and profitable business decision.
Water can no longer be treated as a mere resource; it must be recognized as a strategic asset, central to all UN SDGs. This new water perestroika is the key to a sustainable and resilient future for all.
