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Global Smart Water: Market Trends, Competitive Shifts, & Project Activity, First Half 2018
In the first half of 2018, Bluefield identified 177 smart water projects, globally, up 4% by over the same period last year. Projects were largely shaped by utility announcements to leverage data driven solutions within all aspects of planning and operating functions. Xylem capped off its smart water strategy with two additional acquisitions while Kurita acquired Silicon-Valley based Fracta.
Every six months, Bluefield water experts provide an update on Smart Water activity, including:
- Smart Water Project Trends
- Key Utility Accounts for Smart Solutions Providers
- Smart Meter Announcements
- M&A Shaping the Smart Water Landscape
- Venture Capital Investments in Digital Water
Interested in regular updates on Smart Water project activity? Contact us to learn more about our new Digital Water Insight service.
American Water’s Retreat from Municipal O&M Signals Caution for Outsourcing Strategies
On 9 July 2018, U.S.-based investor-owned utility (IOU) American Water Works Company, Inc. announced the sale of 23 of its 33 active operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts to Veolia North America (VNA).Harmful Algal Blooms: Drinking Water System Impacts & Treatment Solutions, and Market Sizing
The most recently published EPA assessment of U.S. lakes estimates that around 40% of the country’s lakes and reservoirs are at risk to Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs).
While algae have long been considered a healthy aspect of water ecosystems, changing environmental factors like high nutrient pollution and climate change are driving an increased proliferation of algae blooms and cyanobacteria.
In this 25-slide Market Insight, Bluefield water experts analyze the market, forecasts, and competitive landscape for algae blooms:
- Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms in the U.S.
- Public Drinking Water Systems at Risk for Cyanotoxins
- Geographic Concentration of Risk
- Trajectory of Federal and State Regulations
- Harmful Algae Bloom Case Studies by City
- Market Forecasts
- Companies Addressing Harmful Algae Blooms: Monitoring & Treatment
- Emerging National Programs
Water for Power: Market Trends, Opportunities & Forecasts, 2019-2028
The electric power sector, which represents 41% of U.S. water withdrawals, is proceeding with its fuel-switching transformation, sparked by a mix of economic drivers, climate change, and fuel options. These structural shifts have contributed to an evolving landscape in which water technology and service providers are finding opportunities.
This Market Insight frames the long term trends, regulatory environment, and outlook for water-related investment in power, including:
- The Current Power Landscape
- Recent EPA Regulations
- Power Sector Water Demand
- Share of Power Plants Using Reclaimed Water
- Power Players Planning Capacity Additions
- US Water-related Natural Gas Combined Cycle CAPEX Forecast, 2019-2028 (also available by Region)
More Water & Power analysis from Bluefield.
Ann Arbor Takes Controversial Approach to New Water, Sewer Rate Structures in Bid for Equity
On 1 July 2018, Ann Arbor’s new, controversial water rates went into effect. Under the new rate structure, single-family residential customers would pay increasingly higher rates for using large amounts of water. In this Research Note, Bluefield water experts analyze Ann Arbor’s new rate structure, comparing to other major cities’ water rates.
How the Internet of Things Affects (and Will Affect) the Water Sector
Geoff Engelstein of Mars International brings his tech experience to The Water Values Podcast for a discussion on how the internet of things (IOT) affects the water sector and where he thinks the IOT ...Regulatory Review: ‘Beast From The East’ Exposes Vulnerabilities Of U.K. Water Companies
On 19 June 2018, U.K. water sector regulator Ofwat released a review of water company performance during the ‘Beast from the East’, a freeze thaw event that wreaked havoc on water utilities across the country in late February and early March 2018.Comcast, Telecoms Fortifying Positions Across Water IoT Battleground
On 12 June 2018, Comcast Corporation and U.S.-based meter company Neptune Technology Group unveiled a joint advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution for municipal water utilities. This is one of several recent LPWAN partnerships between major U.S. metering and telecommunications firms.
The solution bundles Neptune’s R900 AMI endpoints with machineQ, Comcast’s Internet of Things (IoT) service, in a fee- based Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) solution.
In this Research Note, Bluefield water experts analyze:
- The convergence of water metering and telecom
- Smart Water/Smart City IoT Protocols
- Strategies of Telecoms looking at the water space
- Comparison of Metering Companies’ IoT offerings
EPA Rolling Back Mining Wastewater Regs – Tailings, Water-related Risk Endures
On 26 June 2018, the EPA Administrator released a memo directing relevant offices to limit EPA authority under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act. This section of the law currently provides EPA with an expansive authority to revoke material discharge permits, including those required for mining operations.
In this Research Note, Bluefield water experts analyzes the impact of this EPA rollback on mining company water strategies.
