Calling water "one of the most appealing long-term investments," Barron's recommended five bets on related securities in an article published Sunday.

The business and investment publication recommended three water-related stocks: Tetra Tech, Xylem and Itron.

It also noted two exchange-traded funds offering diversified exposure to similar equities: PowerShares Water Resources and Guggenheim S&P Global Water.

"As demand for fresh water grows worldwide, appetite for shares of companies that distribute, purify, pump, filter it, and monitor its use will grow as well," Barron's wrote.