Industry Insights
Our Industry Insights provide deep-dive analyses into global water topics, including water infrastructure, industrial water management, digital solutions, and more. Reports are available for purchase (through our Report Store) or with a Corporate Subscription.
Insight Report
Energy Optimization for Water Utilities: A Digital Playbook for Cost and Carbon Reduction
Energy costs rank among the top three operating expenses for water utilities, offering significant opportunities for cost savings. Energy use in the water sector accounts for 11% to as much as 40% in operational expenditure. This substantial portion and range underscores the potential for optimizing energy costs across the water cycle.
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Water Mergers & Acquisitions: Trends and Deal Flow, Q4 2025
As of 1 December 2025, Bluefield has tracked a total of 274 water M&A deals to date in 2025, representing a nearly 25% decline compared...
10 Dec. 2025
Quarterly Review + Data
Analysis and insights of previous quarter water market activity, trends, and events. Data access available to Data Navigator seat holders.
U.S. Water Utility Ownership & Strategies: Key Trends, M&A Activity, and Market Outlook, Q4 2025
U.S. utility M&A regained momentum in Q3 2025, signaling renewed consolidation pressures across the sector. Bluefield tracked 32 deals, the highest quarterly count since Q3...
21 Nov. 2025
Quarterly Review + Data
Analysis and insights of previous quarter water market activity, trends, and events. Data access available to Data Navigator seat holders.
Scale Is the Strategy: American, Essential Set Benchmark for Water Investor-Owned Utilities
The American–Essential merger marks a major transformation in the U.S. regulated water sector, significantly augmenting American Water’s status as the largest and most geographically diverse...
6 Nov. 2025
Research Note
Brief research summaries of market development or company strategies.
U.S. Water Utility Ownership & Strategies: Key Trends, M&A Activity, and Market Outlook, Q3 2025
Unitil Corporation marked its water sector debut with a pending US$100 million purchase of the Aquarion Water Company’s assets in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Meanwhile,...
9 Sep. 2025
Quarterly Review + Data
Analysis and insights of previous quarter water market activity, trends, and events. Data access available to Data Navigator seat holders.
Organizational Change Management: Harnessing a Systematic Approach to Workforce Challenges at Water Utilities
Organizational change frameworks are an approach to managing personnel through large changes. While most common in the private sector, innovative water utilities are increasingly looking...
17 Jun. 2025
Analyst Presentation
Industry presentations given by our team of water experts at water conferences and other speaking engagements.
U.S. Water Utility Ownership & Strategies: Key Trends, M&A Activity, and Market Outlook, Q2 2025
Economic uncertainty compounds affordability pressures for utilities. Abrupt policy shifts—fluctuating tariffs, impounded federal funding, and waning consumer confidence—have introduced significant uncertainty to long-term U.S. macroeconomic...
30 May. 2025
Quarterly Review + Data
Analysis and insights of previous quarter water market activity, trends, and events. Data access available to Data Navigator seat holders.
Investor-Owned Utilities in Water: Market Share, Trends, and Company Rankings
As city managers and utility leaders confront increasing challenges related to workforce constraints, regulatory issues, and mounting capital investment needs, IOUs offer an alternative approach...
27 May. 2025
Insight Report + Data
Deep dive analysis on comprehensive topics to identify market opportunities. Data access available to Data Navigator seat holders and report buyers.
Unitil Carves Out Water Presence via Aquarion Platform
On 6 May 2025, Unitil Corporation announced an agreement to purchase the New Hampshire and the Massachusetts Aquarion Water Company operations from the Aquarion Water...
23 May. 2025
Research Note
Brief research summaries of market development or company strategies.
Top Companies in Water: Financial Signals and Market Trends, Q1 2025
Water markets worldwide are transforming, with several factors influencing critical inputs. Company financial reports and presentations indicate that inflation, climate change, conflicts in Europe and...
11 Apr. 2025
Quarterly Review
Analysis and insights of previous quarter water market activity, trends, and events.
U.S. & Canada Municipal Water: Key Trends, Deals, and Policy in Water Management, Q1 2025
The new administration’s executive order to pause unspent IRA and IIJA funds has created turbulence in water infrastructure financing. While subsequent clarifications have mitigated some...
26 Mar. 2025
Quarterly Review + Data
Analysis and insights of previous quarter water market activity, trends, and events. Data access available to Data Navigator seat holders.