The Future of Water
Bluefield Research
Subscribe
Bluefield’s new podcast series breaks down the biggest and smallest events signaling change and opportunity across the water landscape. The Future of Water is where we talk about all the ways in which companies, utilities, and people are addressing the challenges and opportunities in water. This is our chance to call out, question, and think about what is disrupting the water industry. Whether it’s municipal or industrial, vendor or utility, local, state or even globally focused, Bluefield's podcast is a source for critical insights. Bluefield’s team of water experts discuss a variety of topics impacting the future of water. We want to hear from you. Feel free to send topic ideas to podcasts@bluefieldresearch.com
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Feb 23, 2021
Digging into the Aegion/New Mountain Megadeal
Digging into the water sector’s latest megadeal between Aegion and New Mountain Capital. Aegion Corporation, a provider of infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation, and protection solutions announced that it has accepted an offer to be acquired by private equity (PE) firm New Mountain Capital. The transaction, valued at approximately US$963 million, represents a second big step for
Feb 9, 2021
Will a Biden Administration Really Impact Water Sector Investment?
Out of the gates the new president, emboldened by a slim majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, has begun laying out a roadmap for change in infrastructure investment and environmental policy. The Biden administration has touched upon climate, lead & copper, water quality, and infrastructure and the outlook for change is positive. In
Jan 26, 2021
Are Municipalities Benefitting from Fair Market Value Legislation?
On average, Bluefield’s team of water experts tracks more than 125 utility acquisitions per year. Reese Tisdale talks to Bluefield Analyst Mariel Marchand about utility acquisitions and the impact of Fair Market Value policies and legislation on M&A activity. Bluefield’s quarterly analysis of deal flow and buyers and sellers allows for a well-rounded discussion on
Jan 10, 2021
New Year Episode: Biggest Headlines, Challenges, and Trends Influencing Global Water
In Bluefield’s first podcast of the year, Reese Tisdale, Eric Bindler, and Erin Bonney Casey reflect on some of last year’s biggest water headlines, discuss future challenges, and identify top trends influencing global water markets. While 2020 was unusual, to say the least, the new year ushers in an altered landscape for water solutions providers,
Dec 21, 2020
Water for Power: The Remaking of the Electricity Landscape and its Impact on Water
Reese Tisdale and Bluefield Analyst Cullen Mitchell discuss the impacts of a changing energy landscape and its impact on water management. Over the last decade, the advent of shale oil & gas exploration, renewables, and battery power have upended traditional system structures and the opportunities for water services and solutions providers. Now, the emerging interest
Dec 7, 2020
Are Homes Getting Smarter with Real-time Water Management?
Reese Tisdale and Eric Bindler talk about the future of water management within the home. Newly announced strategic partnerships between Moen subsidiary Flo and Lennar signal growing potential for the niche market. Prior to the pandemic, the residential digital water segment had seen a flurry of activity among water entrepreneurs. Bluefield water experts discuss the
Nov 30, 2020
Brazil Looks to Private Participation in Water
Bluefield’s Reese Tisdale and Keith Hays discuss Brazil’s municipal water market and the implications for new policies launched to invite private participation. The mercurial Latin American economy has attracted a number of companies willing to ride a wave of opportunity that is not for the risk-averse. Over 200 Brazilian municipalities are already served by fully
Nov 10, 2020
The Role of Private Equity in Water
Over the last 8 to 12 months, the number of private equity (PE) companies coming to Bluefield for support has increased exponentially. Bluefield President Reese Tisdale and Consulting Director Keith Hays discuss why private equity is turning to water, what they are investing in, and how Bluefield sees this playing out. Also discussed, the hot
Oct 26, 2020
Playing Devil’s Advocate – What’s the Outlook for Municipal Water Infrastructure Investment?
Bluefield’s team of water experts discusses infrastructure investment and whether the market is heading up, down, or sideways. Some water industry pundits have said the pandemic is much ado about nothing. However, the Bluefield team doesn’t share this level of optimism, in fact, the team’s optimism at the start of the pandemic has eroded over
Oct 5, 2020
Seeing Double, The Rise of the Digital Twins in Water
Reese Tisdale and the Bluefield team of water experts discuss Digital Twins—hype or reality—and what the future holds. While the concept of virtual clones of operating assets (e.g., treatment plants, pumps, pipe networks) has been around for more than two decades, their applications are only recently gaining momentum in the broader water sector. Keith, Eric,
Sep 21, 2020
Is Veolia Suez Marriage Good for the Water Sector?
In this episode, Reese Tisdale sits down with Bluefield Vice President Keith Hays to talk about what we call “Big Water.” Veolia and Suez, two of the largest water solutions providers in the world are in merger negotiations again, and Reese and Keith discuss their perspectives on the proposed deal and companies themselves. They also
Sep 8, 2020
Prepare to Fill Up Your Bathtubs
Bluefield water experts get into the hot topic of natural disasters and related water & wastewater infrastructure management. Since 1980 the number of these disasters has steadily increased. From 1980 to 2019, the U.S has sustained 258 climate-related events. These resource-intensive events include hurricanes, flooding, winter storms, and wildfires which bring on more acute challenges
Aug 11, 2020
Let’s Make a Deal
It’s all about deal flow and recent M&A activity in the water sector. Bluefield’s Eric Bindler and Mariel Marchand share their perspectives on utility acquisitions, utility O&M, and digital water transactions in what can be considered a new environment, even for water. While talking about broader trends, some of the companies discussed include Aquatic Informatics,
Jul 30, 2020
Can Wastewater Save Lives?
In this episode, we discuss the hot topic of wastewater epidemiology and the heightened role it plays in our world today. Keith Hays, Vice President of Bluefield Research, discusses his latest research on pinpoint detection of pathogens and contagions in wastewater and the potential economic & healthcare benefits it could bring to society. Key questions
Jun 30, 2020
Money, Money, Money: Revenue Declines and Water Investment
It’s all about money, that is, how exposed are utilities, their budgets, and spending to a recession. Erin Bonney Casey, Research Director for Bluefield, answers these key questions and more...
Jun 19, 2020
Breaking and Entering- Water Sector Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is the issue of the day. We sit down with Eric Bindler, Research Director for digital water, to talk cybersecurity, water infrastructure, and industry concerns. We’re talking with Eric Bindler, Research Director for Bluefield’s Digital Water Insight service.
Jun 19, 2020
Toilet Paper Costs More Than Oil
Is toilet paper more expensive than oil? Sure feels like it these days. This episode is all about water for energy, the oil patch, and the impacts of geopolitics, pandemics, and recession. Yikes! Get Bluefield analyst Nathan Goldstein’s take on the state of things.
Jun 19, 2020
Crisis Leads to Digital Acceleration
It’s all about digital water spending, forecasts, and implications of a recession. Bluefield’s Digital Water Expert, Eric Bindler, will tackle the following key questions and more: -Is the shift to remote workforces and monitoring a catalyst for change -Does all this disruption change Bluefield’s perspective? -What’s next? And Is there a silver lining somewhere in
Jun 19, 2020
Get Smart in Water
It’s all about municipal water spending, forecasts, and implications of a recession. Bluefield’s Erin Bonney Casey will address these questions and more: -Will the market collapse in coming weeks, months years? -Who might be best insulated from the impacts of Covid-19? -What’s next? And Is there a silver lining somewhere in the value chain?
Jun 19, 2020
Future of Water (Trailer)
Introducing The Future of Water, Bluefield’s new podcast series, where we talk about all the ways in which companies, utilities, and people are addressing the challenges and opportunities in water. Have a listen!