The Future of Water Bluefield Research

With the 2024 U.S. presidential election on the horizon and U.S. President Joe Biden announcing his exit from the race, the political landscape is heating up.



In this episode of The Future of Water, Podcast Host Reese Tisdale speaks with Senior Research Director Greg Goodwin, diving into Bluefield's new white paper, "2024 U.S. Elections: Implications for the Water Industry".



At the time of recording this episode, Joe Biden was still the Democratic candidate for president. However, over the weekend, the political landscape shifted. Biden's sudden withdrawal from re-election certainly shakes things up, but for the water and wastewater sectors, a Democratic victory in the White House is expected to maintain the current course at the federal level. While many anticipate Vice President Kamala Harris to step up as the new candidate, the political outlook, as discussed with Greg, remains largely unchanged. The real game-changer, however, looms in a potential Trump win—promising a seismic shift that could echo the transformative policies proposed during his previous term.



Reese and Greg unpack how decisions made in the upcoming election can reshape water management in the U.S., addressing critical issues such as aging infrastructure, climate resilience, and water quality.



Greg tackles three crucial questions:




How will the outcome of the 2024 elections influence regulatory policies in the water sector?



What major water-related initiatives are on-the-line in this election?



How shifts in economic policies may impact the water industry?




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If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.



Related Research & Analysis:




2024 U.S. Elections: Implications for the Water Industry



Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Tracking the Spending, Q1 2024



State of the Market: PFAS Policy Landscape, Forecasts, and Competitive Analysis

Bluefield water experts recently presented a private water client webcast in collaboration with the National Association of Water Companies, From PFAS to Consolidation: Key Water Market Developments Impacting Utility Strategies. In this special mailbag episode, podcast host Reese Tisdale and Senior Analyst Charlie Suse answer industry questions received from this webcast, providing in-depth insights into key water market developments.



Topics covered, questions answered:




How does Bluefield define the range (very small–very large) for water utility system sizes, especially when evaluating the relationship between system size and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations?



When the health-based violation data is normalized against the number of community water systems, what does that data show?



What is a realistic annual cost estimate for PFAS maximum contaminant level compliance, given that the EPA's US$1.5 billion per year estimate seems low?



How much are Public Utility Commissions willing to provide rate relief for consolidators purchasing small, troubled systems?



How is workforce development and the fast approaching retirement wave affecting the water industry?



How has the role of private equity played out in the regulated/non-regulated water utility segments?



How has the non-regulated market grown in the last decade, and what is its future trajectory?



What are the opportunities in private water outside the U.S.?



Why is wastewater seen as less risky and more attractive for market entry?



Beyond the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, what is the outlook for future federal incentives in the water sector?




If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.



If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.



Related Research & Analysis:




From PFAS to Consolidation, Key Water Market Developments Impacting Utility Strategies



Opportunities in the U.S. Private Water Market



Investor-Owned Utilities in Water: Market Share and Company Rankings

Interest in the stormwater management market is on the rise, driven by urgent environmental challenges and infrastructure needs. Reese Tisdale is joined by Senior Research Director Eric Bindler to unpack Bluefield's latest stormwater infrastructure report. In this discussion, they dive into the nuances of stormwater management, exploring its impact across municipal water systems, transportation networks, and real estate development.



In this episode:




Market Drivers: Explore the significant factors propelling the stormwater management surge—climate change implications, stormwater pollution concerns, and the ongoing construction boom.



Key Questions Addressed:

Funding Disparities: Understand why stormwater management has historically received less funding compared to drinking water and wastewater sectors.



Market Growth Projections: Gain insights into the expected expansion of the U.S. stormwater infrastructure market by 2030.



Regional Insights: Discover intriguing trends and developments at the state and regional levels shaping stormwater management strategies.



Solutions in Focus: Learn about the diverse range of solutions—from traditional infrastructure to innovative green technologies—being deployed to tackle stormwater challenges.



Competitive Landscape: Identify the leading companies and emerging players driving innovation and competition in the stormwater management sector.






If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.



If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.



Related Research & Analysis:




U.S. Stormwater Infrastructure Market: Key Drivers, Competitive Shifts & Investment Outlook, 2024–2030

Podcast host Reese Tisdale talks with Bluefield Analyst Amber Walsh to get the low down on top takeaways from Q2 industrial water analysis. Industrial water markets are seeing a lot of change—from rising demand for data, the energy transition, and a focus on corporate sustainability strategies. In this discussion, Bluefield's water experts share their insights on three hot industries making waves in industrial water management + corporate sustainability, highlighting key water events and trends impacting they way in which companies respond to and address water management challenges and opportunities.



Discussed in the podcast:



1. Bluefield keeps a close eye on government funding in the semiconductor manufacturing industry because of all the capital going towards Greenfield development—and with that comes water management spend and innovative solutions (i.e., reuse) especially in areas of water stress. In Q1, there were questions around the status of government funds from the U.S. CHIPS Act and market challenges. Q2 analysis shows the slow roll out of funds to semiconductor manufacturers GlobalFoundries, TSMC, Micron, Intel, and Samsung. What is the status of the funds and how are these companies responding?



2. In the hydrogen space, although still in early development, we are seeing significant investment being poured into green hydrogen. As Bluefield follows the money, we are expecting this to drive water management opportunities. As water is a key input in hydrogen production—and nearly 2,000 projects have been announced worldwide—Bluefield is estimating US$26.3 billion to be spent on water management in this sector through 2030. 



3. Bluefield is tracking several trends in the food & beverage industry. Wastewater treatment remains a large area of spend for these facilities, increasingly stringent discharge regulations are pushing for advanced treatment. What is the impact of municipal surcharges for treatment that can range from a couple thousand dollars annually to millions? And how are companies dealing with higher operational costs and commodity prices?



4. Let's not forget about corporate sustainability. What is the reality of corporate sustainability in industrial water? Is it a driving factor in corporate water management decisions? Companies have largely been motivated to set water reduction targets and disclose water use. But what does this mean and is the goal actually meaningful? How do 'replenishment projects' work and what are attractive 'sustainable’ business models (i.e., Water-as-a-service, operation management contracts).



If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.



If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.



Related Research & Analysis




The Hydrogen Economy: Water Demands, Management Strategies, and Global Forecasts, 2024–2030



Water for Food & Beverage: Market Trends and Forecasts, 2024–2030



Water for Semiconductors: Market Trends and Forecasts, 2023–2030

Spain’s water sector has evolved in light of the country's unique challenges such as extensive infrastructure buildout in recent decades, population boom, economic recessions, and persistent droughts. Despite these hurdles, Spain has made notable strides in areas including desalination, water management, and technology adoption.



VP & Managing Director Keith Hays and Analyst Maria Cardenal from Bluefield's Europe team sit down with Podcast Host and Bluefield President & CEO Reese Tisdale. Together, they explore three major trends shaping the Spanish water sector: digitalization, smart water management, and the circular economy.



In addition to these trends, Bluefield's Europe water experts delve into several key topics:




Main challenges facing Spain's water sector, and how they are being addressed



The size of Spain’s water sector, including its relativity to other countries in Europe



Government policies and regulations that could influence the development of the water sector moving forward



Prominent key players in the Spanish water sector—utilities, technology providers, and consulting firms



Opportunities for foreign investors and companies looking to enter the Spanish water market




If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.



If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.



Related Research & Analysis:




Spain Municipal Water Market Overview



Europe Municipal Water & Wastewater: CAPEX Market Forecasts, 2024–2030

Update: As of 23 May 2024, deal talks between Schneider Electric and Bentley Systems have ended, with no plans to move forward with an acquisition.

Schneider Electric and Bentley have confirmed ongoing discussions regarding a potential acquisition, marking a significant development in the water industry. With Bentley's market value estimated at approximately US$16 billion, the prospective deal would provide large ramifications across various industries where both companies operate.



While both Schneider and Bentley are prominent players in the digital water realm, other companies including Cadence Design Systems and Siemens could be in the mix as well.



In this episode, podcast host Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield's Senior Research Director Eric Bindler, and Digital Water Analyst Christine Ow, to explore the potential ripple effect of a Schneider-Bentley deal on the water industry:




Enhancing Operational Efficiency: The convergence of Bentley and Schneider would facilitate the transition from design to operations, unlocking efficiencies throughout the value chain. Their combined expertise would offer a suite of products, bridging crucial gaps in the industry.



Altering the Competitive Landscape: Schneider's diverse portfolio spans various sectors. The integration of Bentley would further strengthen their standing within the water industry, challenging established players.



Navigating Integration Challenges: Beyond the strategic benefits, the acquisition presents integration complexities, including aligning customer bases and merging company cultures.




If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.



If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.



Related Research & Analysis:




Schneider Pursues Bentley, Rounding Out Water Offerings



Modeling Software Players Weigh Growth Options



Idrica Tapped to Integrate Xylem Digital Water Portfolio



Oldcastle Cements Digital Water Strategy via Partnerships and M&A