Private Investment

The role of private participation in water, globally, is one path to rehabilitating and upgrading utility assets. From investor-owned utilities in the U.S. to build-own-and-operate contracts for desalination plants in the Middle East, the roles played by private investors—financial and strategic—vary significantly by country and regulatory frameworks.

As the regional markets evolve in response to dynamic macroeconomic and climatic influences, established players are poised to build out from their existing platform positions and be joined by new market entrants.

Recent Analysis

Recession Risks, U.S.-China Tariffs Expose U.S. Industrial Water

Top Companies in Water: Financial Signals and Market Trends, Q1 2025

Jacobs Affirms O&M Presence in Massachusetts

U.S. Private Water: Key Trends, M&A Activity, and Market Outlook, Q1 2025

Calgon Carbon Lands Expansive Deal with American Water

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Drinking Water Systems Impacts, Treatment Solutions, and Market Sizing

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3M Windfall for Impacted PFAS Water Systems

Read more research on water quality

Key Research Questions

How are investor-owned utilities targeting wastewater?

How will PFAS and other legislation impact private water utility strategies?

How does private water deal flow in 2025 compare to last year?

What countries, outside of the U.S., offer opportunities for private investment in water?

Private Investment Data

382

water-related acquisitions in 2024

46 deals

in 2024 were in the digital water space

17 deals

in 2024 from financial investors

US$1,811

of average cost per water utility connection

Talk to our water experts about private investment in water