Abstract
This commentary revisits the role of the state in creating water insecurity, drawing on insights from the Water International special issue on state failure, disconnection, and autonomy. Since publication, household-scale water insecurity research has expanded to high-income countries, revealing a shift beyond peak water security - the ability to provide near-universal, safe, and sustainable water services. A return to peak water security demands reimagining how society delivers reliable, safe, and affordable water. We advocate for modular, adaptive, and decentralized systems, despite the complex questions they raise about justice and governance.