At the midpoint of 2026, the water sector is sending mixed signals. Deal flow is up sharply, with 161 transactions recorded year-to-date and Q2 activity climbing 42% year-over-year to its strongest pace since 2021. Yet the headlines telling a story of a booming market sit alongside a different conversation happening in boardrooms, where CEOs are… Continue reading Mid-2026 Water Check-In: Deals, Geopolitics, and What’s Next
Archives: Episode
Is the Data Center Water Problem Fake?
Podcast host Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield Research Director Amber Walsh and Analyst Zineb Moumen to examine the data center market through a water lens. The conversation covers what the numbers actually show, where they fall short, and what water companies stand to gain on both sides of the Atlantic. Bluefield’s analysts break down… Continue reading Is the Data Center Water Problem Fake?
Enhanced Regulatory Compliance through Digitalization with Laura Underwood
Laura Underwood, Director of Digital Water Services for Locus Technologies, provides a fantastic discussion of digitalization benefits on water systems’ compliance performance. Laura offers her unique insights and fresh perspectives in this great interview. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment, addressing Bluefield Research’s new analysis on data centers’ water use. In… Continue reading Enhanced Regulatory Compliance through Digitalization with Laura Underwood
Last Call for the Colorado River
The clock is running out on the Colorado River. Lake Powell sits at 23% capacity. Towns are hauling water by truck. The 2025–26 snowpack is the lowest on record. After decades of missed deadlines, the federal government is now being forced to act. A binding record of decision—determining how the river will be operated going… Continue reading Last Call for the Colorado River
Who Owns Your Water and Who Wants To?
The U.S. investor-owned utility (IOU) market just posted its strongest opening quarter in three years. Bluefield Analyst Megan Bondar joins host Reese Tisdale on The Future of Water to dig into what’s driving that activity. The conversation covers the structural differences between greenfield and peer-to-peer transactions, why the geographic map looks completely different from Pennsylvania… Continue reading Who Owns Your Water and Who Wants To?
The World of Premium Waters with Michael Mascha
Food anthropologist turned water sommelier Michael Mascha provides an engaging discussion of premium waters—origins, taste profiles, market challenges, and where the premium water sector is headed. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield on Tap segment addressing Bluefield Research’s upcoming water market report. In this session, you’ll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in… Continue reading The World of Premium Waters with Michael Mascha
Are We Approaching a Federal Water Funding Cliff?
Utilities, contractors, equipment suppliers, and investors have a lot of questions about federal water infrastructure funding right now. How is money moving, where is it landing, and what does project activity look like over the next few years? Bluefield’s Senior Analyst Charlie Suse joins host Reese Tisdale to walk through the federal funding landscape, from… Continue reading Are We Approaching a Federal Water Funding Cliff?
Inside Europe’s €643 Billion Stormwater Opportunity: Who’s Positioned To Capitalize?
Europe’s stormwater crisis has been building for decades—and the numbers are now impossible to ignore. The last three decades rank among the worst for flooding in 500 years of European records. In 2024 alone, floods killed more than 330 people, displaced 413,000, and caused €18 billion in damages. Bluefield Research has sized the European stormwater… Continue reading Inside Europe’s €643 Billion Stormwater Opportunity: Who’s Positioned To Capitalize?
Developing Tomorrow’s Water Workforce with NAWC’s Rob Powelson
Former FERC and Pennsylvania PUC Commissioner, Rob Powelson now serves as President and CEO of the National Association of Water Companies. He sits down to discuss water utility workforce development, the impact of AI on the water utility workforce, and the job opportunities the water sector offers. Plus, Reese Tisdale joins us for another Bluefield… Continue reading Developing Tomorrow’s Water Workforce with NAWC’s Rob Powelson
Is Australia the Blueprint for the Future of Water?
Australia is living what much of the world is still bracing for. A decade-long drought forced sweeping national action, and the country has been building toward a system-wide digital response ever since. Today, the results are visible in full-scale smart metering rollouts, rising investment in leak detection and customer engagement software, and a US$17 billion… Continue reading Is Australia the Blueprint for the Future of Water?
