The Future of Water

Reese Tisdale
  • 4.9 (34)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY
The Future of Water

Bluefield Research’s podcast series breaks down the biggest and smallest events signaling change and opportunity across the global water landscape. From municipal to industrial, vendor to utility, local, state or even globally focused, the Future of Water is a source of critical insights into company strategies, market shifts, and emerging opportunities for key stakeholders. The Future of Water, released twice a month, is presented by Reese Tisdale and Bluefield's team of water experts willing to showcase their analysis about all the ways in which companies, utilities, and people are addressing the challenges and opportunities in water. To learn more about Bluefield Research visit: www.bluefieldresearch.com. Contact us at podcasts@bluefieldresearch.com with any topic suggestions or requests for information.

  1. JUL 1

    How Are Investor-Owned Utilities Reshaping the U.S. Water Market Through M&A?

    Today’s guest, Bluefield Analyst Megan Bondar, joins host Reese Tisdale to unpack the growing role of investor-owned utilities (IOUs) in the U.S. water sector. From calculating market share to tracking M&A activity and geographic expansion, Megan brings fresh insights into how IOUs are positioning themselves in a fragmented market of 49,000 drinking water and 18,000 wastewater systems. Though IOUs currently serve only about 5% of the U.S. population, their influence is expanding—through acquisitions, capital investments, and shifting ownership strategies. This episode also explores how consolidation is playing out in different forms, including municipal-to-municipal deals and the rise of quasi-public entities. This episode answers key questions: Who are the IOUs in the U.S., and what’s their footprint? How are IOUs reshaping the water market through M&A? What are the capital strategies behind IOU growth? What role is private equity playing in this sector? How are regional realignments and exits redefining competition? 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: Investor-Owned Utilities in Water: Market Share, Trends, and Company Rankings Nexus’s Utility Sell-Off Goes to American Water Unitil Carves Out Water Presence via Aquarion Platform

    43 min

  2. JUN 17

    How is Europe's Water Sector Responding to Climate and Regulatory Pressure?

    Bluefield Senior Analyst Antonio del Olmo joins host Reese Tisdale to share insights from Bluefield's recent research across European countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, France, and Spain. This episode explores the evolving landscape of Europe’s water sector—from climate shocks to regulatory shakeups—and what it all means for utilities, investors, and technology vendors. The conversation highlights what specific regions are focusing on, the biggest challenges they’re facing, and how water sector stakeholders are responding. Bluefield’s water experts unpack key trends, including: Why Europe’s seemingly mature water sector is facing a wave of disruption—from climate shocks and regulatory pressure to investment churn and digital transformation How cracks are emerging in energy reliability, water loss, and the digital divide across countries The role of EU directives versus national implementation in shaping infrastructure strategy Where the biggest opportunities lie across digital water, reuse, resilience, and asset renewal How French giants like Veolia, Suez, and Saur are shifting strategies to lead in this evolving landscape Why PFAS regulations, sludge treatment requirements, and infrastructure M&A may be the next big catalysts 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: Italy Water & Wastewater Municipal Market: Trends, Drivers, and Forecasts The Netherlands Water & Wastewater Municipal Market: Trends, Drivers, and Forecasts Spain’s Blackouts Strain Water Utilities

    51 min

  3. JUN 3

    Quenching High Tech's Thirst: The Rising Water Demands of Data Centers and Semiconductors

    In this episode, host Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield Senior Analyst Amber Walsh, who shares insights from her latest research on the growing water demands of high tech. With billions in investment flowing into semiconductor fabs and data centers, these sectors are becoming major players in the water space—and are quietly reshaping infrastructure strategy from the ground up. Bluefield’s water experts unpack key trends, including: The increasing reliance on ultrapure water and advanced reuse systems in next-gen semiconductor manufacturing. How the rise of artificial intelligence is intensifying thermal loads, forcing data centers to adopt more water-intensive cooling technologies—and driving new investment in water management. The emergence of Water-as-a-Service models and public-private partnerships, as firms like Intel, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services rethink how they finance and manage water infrastructure. This episode offers a clear view of how data centers and semiconductor fabs are becoming central to the conversation around water strategy—and why utilities, investors, and vendors should be paying close attention. 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. Water for Data Centers: Market Trends, Opportunities, and Forecasts, 2025–2030 U.S. & Canada Industrial Water & Wastewater Market: Key Trends and Forecasts, 2024–2030 Investment Pours into Spain Data Centers

    36 min

  4. MAY 20

    Water Metering’s Digital Shift: Platforms, Analytics, and AI Integration

    In this episode of The Future of Water, host Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield Analyst Christine Ow to explore one of the fastest-evolving segments in the water sector: metering. Christine shares insights from Bluefield's new report, Global Water Metering Outlook: Evolving Technology Trends, Business Models, Competitive Landscape, and Leading Companies, which offers a detailed view of the US$6.8 billion global metering market. With digital transformation accelerating, water meters are no longer just endpoints—they’re becoming the digital backbone of utility networks. The discussion highlights how business models are shifting toward subscription-based offerings, how telecom players are entering the space, and how leading vendors are leveraging analytics and AI to create new value for utilities and customers alike. Key topics covered: The shift from traditional meter replacement cycles to subscription-based models The entry of telecom players supporting smart meter rollouts, especially in Europe How vendors are integrating analytics and artificial intelligence to deliver more than just water measurement Market-specific trends, including policy shifts in the U.S., AMP8 in the U.K., and funding in Spain Why static and ultrasonic meters are gaining traction in mature markets as costs decline 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: Global Water Metering Outlook: Evolving Technology Trends, Business Models, Competitive Landscape, and Leading Companies Metering-as-a-Service to Find Market Niche Europe Digital Water Market Outlook: Key Drivers, Competitive Shifts, and Forecasts, 2024–2033

    51 min

  5. MAY 6

    Big Spend, Bigger Stakes: The Next 10 Years in U.S. Water & Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure

    In this episode of The Future of Water, Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield Senior Analyst Charlie Suse to break down U.S. municipal water and wastewater treatment CAPEX forecasts through 2035. Bluefield’s latest market model projects US$515 billion in treatment infrastructure capital expenditures, with spend expected to grow from US$37 billion in 2025 to over US$57 billion by 2035—driven by aging assets, stricter regulatory standards, and shifting service demands. Together, Reese and Charlie dig into the methodology behind the forecast, which incorporates asset inventories for over 75,000 treatment plants, EPA data across all 50 states, and detailed spending breakouts by project type, utility size, and asset category. They also explore: Why nearly 80% of investment will go toward upgrades and rehab rather than new builds Why mid-sized utilities represent a key growth opportunity for infrastructure and technology providers How the Southern U.S.—especially Texas and Florida—is both a growth engine and a high-risk investment zone The uneven and uncertain rollout of IIJA funding, with only 14% of appropriated funds distributed so far 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. Water & Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure CAPEX Forecasts, 2025–2035 U.S. Water & Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure CAPEX Data

    37 min

  6. APR 22

    Water in Transition: Signals From the Top 50 Companies

    Bluefield’s latest snapshot of the top 50 publicly traded water companies shows a sector still growing—but with turbulence under the surface. In this episode, host Reese Tisdale digs into Bluefield's Q1 2025 snapshot of the top companies in water, highlighting how they are navigating tariffs, tightening supply chains, and shifting strategies. While topline revenue growth remains strong, rising input costs and policy uncertainty are forcing companies to sharpen their focus—pruning non-core assets, streamlining operations, and zeroing in on their strongest water plays. Meanwhile, regulated water utilities, with their steady cash flows and inelastic demand, are starting to look a lot more attractive. In a landscape shaped by tariffs, inflation, and bond market pressure, this might just be the moment where “boring is beautiful.” 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: Top Companies in Water: Financial Signals and Market Trends, Q1 2025 Water Mergers & Acquisitions: Trends and Deal Flow, Q1 2025

    26 min

  7. APR 8

    Clarifying the Chaos in Washington: Answering Top Questions on U.S. Water Policy

    Policy in Washington is in flux—and our clients had questions. Lots of them. Following Bluefield’s recent client webcast, Uncertain Times: The State of Water Policy in Washington, podcast host Reese Tisdale and Senior Research Director Greg Goodwin reconvene to answer the questions they didn’t have time to address live. In this episode, they unpack critical developments shaping the water sector—from funding volatility and regulatory shifts to cross-border tensions and infrastructure outlooks. Topics covered, questions answered: Is Bluefield's market sizing number across main verticals total or annualized? If the San Francisco vs. EPA court decision will lead to more niche requirements, will permitting get more complicated? Are Chicago’s US$15B consent decree costs included in the municipal total? Underestimated? What does a second Trump administration mean for the digital water market? Will agencies like USGS be affected too? Can you break down the US$13B in impounded funding? Which programs were impacted? Project 2025 and Mandy Gunasekara’s take on increased SRF funding—realistic or contradictory? With Russian gas returning, how does U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) outlook impact water markets? Is the Boundary Waters Treaty or International Joint Commission under threat? Are manufacturers reshoring due to political pressure? Has the federal share of water infrastructure funding declined—and where is it heading? 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: Uncertain Times: The State of Water Policy in Washington U.S. & Canada Water Policy Review: Key Developments and Market Outlook, H1 2025

    56 min

  8. MAR 25

    What’s Fueling Spain’s Data Center Growth—and Will It Last?

    In this episode, host Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield colleagues Keith Hays and Chloé Meyer to unpack the rapid expansion of data centers in Spain and the growing challenges related to water and energy management. With Aragon alone seeing over €33 billion in announced investment, this conversation explores the trade-offs between hyperscale growth, resource constraints, and local response. Key topics covered: Why dig into this topic now? Driven by AI, global data consumption is accelerating and Spain is emerging as a major data center hub. Developers are now facing growing pressure to balance growth with limited resources like land, energy, and water. What makes Spain an attractive market for data centers? Spain offers lower energy and land costs, fast-track approvals, and strategic geographic positioning compared to more constrained FLAP-D markets. How are companies addressing growing concerns around water use? Developers are taking different approaches: Meta is revising its cooling strategies with air and dry-cooling to reduce water use, while AWS is investing in leak detection, offset projects, and local water infrastructure. How are local communities responding to exponential data center growth? While regions like Aragon are expanding rapidly, others like Lleida are pushing back over water use and long-term economic benefits. How will AI-driven growth shape future water and energy demands? AI workloads are accelerating data center demand, leading to higher energy density and cooling needs. 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: Investment Pours into Spain Data Centers Corporate Water Sustainability: Project Trends, Targets, and Management Approaches U.S. & Canada Industrial Water & Wastewater Market: Key Trends and Forecasts, 2024–2030

    47 min
See All (136)

4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Bluefield Research’s podcast series breaks down the biggest and smallest events signaling change and opportunity across the global water landscape. From municipal to industrial, vendor to utility, local, state or even globally focused, the Future of Water is a source of critical insights into company strategies, market shifts, and emerging opportunities for key stakeholders. The Future of Water, released twice a month, is presented by Reese Tisdale and Bluefield's team of water experts willing to showcase their analysis about all the ways in which companies, utilities, and people are addressing the challenges and opportunities in water. To learn more about Bluefield Research visit: www.bluefieldresearch.com. Contact us at podcasts@bluefieldresearch.com with any topic suggestions or requests for information.

Information

  • Creator
    Reese Tisdale
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    136
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Bluefield Research
  • Show Website
    The Future of Water

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