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Ensuring Technology Access and Resilience in the Field
David Dolphin, of utility technology provider Ayyeka, discusses a wide range of issues related to end-to-end remote monitoring system deployment. David covers signal strength, data encryption, battery...What are you going to do when your government says, “Sorry folks, we are out of water.”?
Drought-stricken, Cape Town residents have been mandated to use no more than 13.2 gallons, or 50 litres, of water per day, beginning 1 February 2018, on the way to “Day Zero”. Without rainfall, on...U.S. Investor Owned Water Utilities: M&A Deals and Trends, Year-End 2017
In 2017, the water industry completed more than US$2.11 billion of investor-owned utility (IOU) acquisitions — across 90 deals. Another 65 pending deals worth US$308 million are still awaiting regulatory approval.
This represents a US$1.5 billion increase in deal values over 2016. 2017 was the strongest year, within the timeframe of Bluefield’s four-year analysis in terms of deal flow, total transaction values and number of customers added, all of which have been steadily increasing over the years.
2017 highlights include:
- EverSource Energy purchased Aquarion Water for US$1.7 billion.
- American Water’s US$159 million acquisition of the McKeesport wastewater system
- NW Natural made two utility acquisitions
- The City of Missoula, Montana re-municipalized its water system
Barrick Gold, Chile Sketch Smart Water Strategies
On 17 January 2018, Chile’s environmental authority SMA sanctioned Barrick Gold with the permanent closure of its Pascua Lama mine. The decision is based on four key infractions that stem from non-contact water management in January 2013 when its main discharge tunnel collapsed.
Barrick has incorporated digital solutions into its water management strategy to prioritize site-specific stewardship and greater transparency. Chile plans to expand effluent monitoring with the Technological Program for Monitoring of Mine Tailings, which has US$8.3 million of financing from state agencies.
Salesforce Unveils Decentralized Reuse System; Harbinger of Water Sector Transformation
Salesforce.com recently announced its new corporate headquarters in San Francisco will feature the largest on-site water recycling system in a commercial high rise in the U.S. The system is engineered to reduceArcadis, SEAMS Ready for Smart Water Growth
On 10 January 2018, asset management software developer SEAMS Ltd. announced its aquisition by Netherlands- based EPC consultancy Arcadis NV. With this acquisition, Arcadis boosts its smart water offering to U.K. municipal water utilities.
Reflecting the growing importance of data analytics software in the utility-consultant relationship, strategies of major EPCs serving municipal water utilities continue to evolve. Utilities of the future will demand an evolved, digital, and smart water savvy EPC consultancy.
NW Natural Expands Into Water Via M&A
NW Natural announced that it has entered into agreements to acquire Salmon Valley Water Company and Falls Water Company, two privately owned water utilities in the Northwestern U.S.
The acquisitions mark NW Natural’s first foray into the regulated water utility sector. The purchase of the Salmon Valley system has enabled NW Natural to carve out a small position in water in its home state, adding to its existing, large customer base for gas services.
The water utility market provides attractive opportunity for utility outsiders. Bluefield estimates the total value of significantly financially stressed community water systems in the U.S. at US$2.38 billion.
