Drinking Water

From “forever chemicals” and lead to microplastics and saltwater intrusion, numerous factors are impacting the quality of municipal drinking water. Cities around the world—from Cape Town, South Africa to Flint, Michigan—have faced major water quality challenges in recent years.

Regulators are stepping up efforts to address contaminants like PFAS and lead in drinking water. The European Union’s European Chemical Agency has launched an evaluation to review a proposal for restricting the use of PFAS in drinking water. In the U.S., the EPA is requiring all states to inventory and replace their lead service lines, aiming to reduce lead exposure and protect public health.

Water scarcity, drought, and leakage management are also pressing issues on the drinking water side, underscoring the need for innovative solutions to ensure a sustainable and secure water supply.

Bluefield helps address key trends impacting your business...

Forever chemicals in drinking water: A top priority for regulators

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made relatively swift progress in addressing PFAS in drinking water. Bluefield’s PFAS remediation forecast shows that drinking water utilities will spend nearly US$13.5 billion between 2023 and 2030, up from a previously forecasted total of US$6.0 billion. Meanwhile, recent policy proposals in Europe are aiming to restrict the use of these manmade chemical substances, which are increasingly being found in drinking water supplies. >>Learn More

Drought and water scarcity drive investment in alternative water supplies

As of October 2024, 32.61% of the U.S. is experiencing drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. California is taking matters into its own hands by implementing mandatory water conservation measures while continuing to lead the way in potable water reuse. Cities like El Paso, Texas, are also exploring large-scale potable reuse solutions to address water scarcity. >>Learn More

Digitalization at the forefront of long-term leakage management strategies

A critical aspect of water resource availability is water loss due to leakage. While the U.K. has led the way with ambitious leakage reduction commitments—targeting a 50% reduction by 2050—Southern Europe’s scarcity-driven initiatives promise to spur substantive investment in the medium term. The rise of smart meters, sensors, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies marks the beginning of a new era in water management. >> Learn More

Historic funding opportunities through IIJA accelerate LSL replacement projects

 The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) authorized US$15 billion in federal funding over the course of FY 2022–FY 2026 for the identification, planning, design, and replacement of LSLs, plus another US$11.7 billion toward the General Supplemental program of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which can also be used for certain lead removal projects. According to Bluefield’s analysis of IIJA spending, approximately 54% of available funding for IIJA LSL replacement has been awarded to states as of August 2024. Despite slow rollout of awards and discrepancies between states, the IIJA represents a historic opportunity for states and utilities to address a critical issue impacting water systems nationwide. >>Learn More



Corporate Subscriptions

Subscribe to receive ongoing, monthly data sets, reports, and insights on key topics related to the municipal water industry.

Corporate Subscription

U.S. & Canada Municipal Water

Providing data sets and market insights for decision makers seeking to better understand and navigate the U.S. and Canada municipal water landscape.

Europe Municipal Water

Providing data sets and market insights for decision makers seeking to better understand and navigate Europe’s municipal water landscape.

Digital Water

Analyzing the impact of digital trends and technologies on company strategies and market opportunities.

Private Water

Providing bottom-up data and market insights for investor-owned utilities, public & private systems, and financial firms to make more informed decisions in the U.S. water market.

Municipal Water Data

Data Navigator

Clients of this service receive access to interactive data dashboards on municipal water.

  • U.S. PFAS Drinking Water Remediation Forecast
  • Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Tracking the Spending
  • U.S. Pipe Network Forecast
  • U.S. Municipal Utility CAPEX  & OPEX Forecasts
  • U.S. Municipal Utility Capital Improvement Plans
  • Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) M&A
  • U.S. Drinking Water Systems

Support & Interaction

Analyst Access

Dedicated team on-call to meet client enquiries, review forecast methodologies, or clarify proprietary data and analysis.

Custom Client Support

Board meeting presentations, onsite client workshops, and customer-focused events.

Corporate Subscriptions

Subscribe to receive ongoing, monthly data sets, reports, and insights on key topics related to the municipal water industry.

Corporate Subscription

U.S. & Canada Municipal Water

Providing data sets and market insights for decision makers seeking to better understand and navigate the U.S. and Canada municipal water landscape.

Europe Municipal Water

Providing data sets and market insights for decision makers seeking to better understand and navigate Europe’s municipal water landscape.

Digital Water

Analyzing the impact of digital trends and technologies on company strategies and market opportunities.

Private Water

Providing bottom-up data and market insights for investor-owned utilities, public & private systems, and financial firms to make more informed decisions in the U.S. water market.

Municipal Water Data

Data Navigator

Clients of this service receive access to interactive data dashboards on municipal water.

  • U.S. PFAS Drinking Water Remediation Forecast
  • Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Tracking the Spending
  • U.S. Pipe Network Forecast
  • U.S. Municipal Utility CAPEX  & OPEX Forecasts
  • U.S. Municipal Utility Capital Improvement Plans
  • Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) M&A
  • U.S. Drinking Water Systems

Support & Interaction

Analyst Access

Dedicated team on-call to meet client enquiries, review forecast methodologies, or clarify proprietary data and analysis.

Custom Client Support

Board meeting presentations, onsite client workshops, and customer-focused events.