Aqueduct 4.0 Water Risk

[Aqueduct ]is a global dataset that provides a comprehensive water risk framework from the [World Resources Institute (WRI)]. It includes indicators such as water stress, water depletion, untreated connected wastewater, and unimproved/no drinking water, grouped into three main categories: (1) physical risk quantity, (2) physical risk quality, and (3) regulatory and reputational risk. The water risk indicators were computed using the [PCR-GLOBWB 2] hydrologic model from Utrecht University. Aqueduct 4.0 uses a baseline period of 1979–2019 and future projections from CMIP6 for the periods 2015–2045, 2035–2065, and 2065–2095. The indicators are aggregated into watersheds based on HydroBASINS level 6. For more information, visit the [Aqueduct 4.0 Public Documentation website] or the [Aqueduct 4.0 Technical Note]. Dataset Summary Phenomenon Mapped: Water risk Geographic Extent: Global Layer Projection: WGS84 Update Frequency: 3-5 years Visible Scale: This layer preforms well across all scales Source: [WRI Aqueduct] Data Vintage: April 2023 Publication Date: November 2025 What can you do with this layer? Identify and prioritize geographic areas facing the highest water risks. Combine multiple risk indicators to understand related risks from water stress. Compare current baseline conditions with future projections under different scenarios (i.e. business-as-usual, pessimistic, or optimist) to understand how water risks may change over time. Use the dataset to identify priority locations for implementing actions to manage and reduce water risks. Data Dictionary * Water Stress: Ratio of total water withdrawals to available renewable surface and groundwater supplies. Measures competition for water resources. * Water Depletion: Ratio of total water consumption to available renewable water supplies. Measures total water consumption as a share of available resources. * Available Blue Water: The total amount of renewable freshwater (surface water and groundwater) available to a sub-basin with upstream consumption removed. * Gross Water Demand: The total water withdrawals across all sectors within a sub-basin, including: domestic, agricultural, industrial, power generation, and livestock. * Interannual Variability: The average variation in available water supply from year to year, calculated as the coefficient of variation of annual values for each month and each sub-basin. * Seasonal Variability: The average variation in available water supply within a single year, calculated as the coefficient of variation across monthly averages over a multi-year period. * Groundwater Table Decline: Decline in groundwater table levels measured in centimeters per year. * Untreated Connected Wastewater: Domestic wastewater that is not treated before being discharged into the environment. * Coastal Eutrophication Potential: Potential for algal blooms and oxygen depletion in coastal waters due to nutrient loading from inland sources. * Unimproved/No Drinking Water: Risk to the population due to lack of access to improved drinking water source. * Unimproved/No Sanitation: Risk to the population due to lack of access to improved sanitation facilities. * Peak RepRisk Country ESG Risk Index: Reputational risk index based on environmental, social, and governance issues in a given country. * Climate Scenarios: * Business as Usual: Middle of the road (SSP 3 RCP 7.0) * Optimistic: Carbon emissions are cut and society is healthy (SSP 1 RCP 2.6) * Pessimistic: Carbon emissions rise and society is fragmented (SSP 5 RCP 8.5) Revisions * Nov 12, 2025: Official release of feature service offering. Questions? Please leave a comment below if you have a question about this layer, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.