diff --git a/message_ix_models/model/water/data/water_for_ppl.py b/message_ix_models/model/water/data/water_for_ppl.py
index bdea1eb7e2..0664d40166 100644
--- a/message_ix_models/model/water/data/water_for_ppl.py
+++ b/message_ix_models/model/water/data/water_for_ppl.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 from message_ix_models.util import (
     broadcast,
     make_matched_dfs,
+    minimum_version,
     package_data_path,
     same_node,
 )
@@ -171,6 +172,7 @@ def hist_cap(x: pd.Series, context: "Context", hold_cost: pd.DataFrame) -> list:
 
 
 # water & electricity for cooling technologies
+@minimum_version("message_ix 3.7")
 def cool_tech(context: "Context") -> dict[str, pd.DataFrame]:
     """Process cooling technology data for a scenario instance.
     The input values of parent technologies are read in from a scenario instance and
diff --git a/message_ix_models/tests/model/water/data/test_water_for_ppl.py b/message_ix_models/tests/model/water/data/test_water_for_ppl.py
index 3a3d224b4e..869cff4064 100644
--- a/message_ix_models/tests/model/water/data/test_water_for_ppl.py
+++ b/message_ix_models/tests/model/water/data/test_water_for_ppl.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 from message_ix_models.model.water.data.water_for_ppl import cool_tech, non_cooling_tec
 
 
+@cool_tech.minimum_version
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("RCP", ["no_climate", "6p0"])
 def test_cool_tec(request, test_context, RCP):
     mp = test_context.get_platform()