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Venture Capital in Water: Key Transactions and Trends
As start-ups develop new solutions for a risk-averse municipal water sector, venture capital is a key channel of funding to bridge a lengthy process in establishing key utility references and growth. Geographically, the U.S. dominates venture capital deal flow in water, but we are also seeing significant deal flow in the UK, Canada and Australia.Restoring Lakes to Swimmable Quality
My friend Jay Madigan joins The Water Values Podcast to discuss his charitable work for the Lake Cane Restoration Society. Jay tells a wonderful story of how a dedicated and passionate group of citize...Ofwat Challenges UK Water Utilities to Evolve
On 21 November 2017, the outgoing head of UK water sector regulator Ofwat provided an update on price review 19 (PR19), which underscored its outcome-focused approach. The update also offered a longer-term vision for making utilities more efficient.
PR19 has received significant criticism from UK utilities who argue that the tariffs will stifle investment. In this Research Note, Bluefield water experts look at Ofwat’s call for change as well as market forces impacting the water utility model.
More Bluefield analysis on this topic:
- Thames Water Penalized £8.6 million as Leakage Skyrockets
- AMP6 Seeks Sea Change for UK Utility Market
- Water Plus JV Ripples through UK Utility Competition
- Leakage Management in Europe: Water Utilities Develop Multi-Vendor Strategies
DC Water De-risks Innovation With Impact Finance
DC Water, one of the 850 water & wastewater utility networks across the U.S. with a combined sewer system, has deployed an innovative financing tool to minimize risk and fund infrastructure projects.
Under a 2005 EPA consent decree, the utility launched a US$2.6 billion initiative to construct three underground storage tanks to store stormwater during peak flow, and reduce untreated discharge.
However, in 2015, DC Water renegotiated its consent decree to explore offsetting the need of a capital intensive storage tunnel with over 490 acres of green infrastructure. With approval, the utility has partnered with Quantified Ventures to launch the first Environmental Impact Bond (EIB) in the U.S.
Given the increasing number of large weather events and combined sewer overflows, the emergence of EIBs and green infrastructure solutions are expected to scale.
Rockwell Still Resisting Emerson’s Offers for Deal
On 22 November 2017 Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation rejected St. Louis- based Emerson Electric’s proposed acquisition for to US$225 per share, or approximately US$29 billion. This latest offer represents the third time in as many months that Emerson has been stymied by its smaller rival.
The roll-up of Rockwell and more diversified Emerson would shake up the competitive landscape for electrical drives, including those for water and wastewater applications.
In this Research Note, Bluefield’s water experts analyze the implications and likelihood of such a deal going forward and the impact on competing suppliers. More analysis of U.S. Municipal water markets.
Bringing Water Balance to Business
Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) CEO Todd Reeve provides a fascinating look into BEF’s work. Todd discusses BEF’s creation of water restoration certificates, relates his insights into key...Declining Construction Spend Raises Questions for Water Sector
In September 2017, the U.S. Census’ monthly construction report further highlighted a downward trajectory in water supply and sewage and waste disposal spend. This negative trend, which has been ongoing since 2008 for water supply, has begun to undermine the confidence of companies across the municipal water sector’s value chain.
The bigger questions addressed in this Research Note include: Is it real? What is the reporting methodology? What factors are influencing this trend? How does it stack up against Bluefield’s projections?
In the wake of tightening municipal budgets, environmental violations, and aging infrastructure, the municipal water and wastewater sectors are undergoing a change that has longer-term impacts on supply chain strategies, private participation in water, and overall investment.
Bluefield water experts put the data in context and lay out a perspective of the construction spend in the water and wastewater markets going forward.
