Water and Wastewater Services: Vital Upkeep, Steady Demand 

Due to prolonged underinvestment in water and wastewater infrastructure, municipalities and utilities are repairing, replacing, and improving a swath of outdated, deteriorating assets.  

This essential upkeep is driving non-discretionary, long-term demand for companies specializing in water-related assets. The latest U.S. infrastructure bill is also creating more jobs for businesses that work on upgraded infrastructure, dedicating over $50 billion to support water and wastewater infrastructure maintenance.  

“The infrastructure bill establishes a long runway for elevated spending and sustainable demand throughout water and wastewater services,” says Luke Semple, a managing director in our Energy, Power & Infrastructure Group.  

Meanwhile, municipalities and utilities are outsourcing more non-core services, including water and wastewater services. In addition, regulatory regimes and compliance standards are becoming more stringent, resulting in stricter enforcement of complicated water and wastewater regulations. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency recently set drinking water standards for certain PFAS substances, while revising its guidance on safe disposal of items containing PFAS.  

These trends are increasing investor interest in critical services, products, and technology across the water and wastewater value chain. Investors are paying particular attention to companies facilitating the maintenance and upgrade of water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as businesses providing water and wastewater treatment services.  

Harris Williams has played a meaningful role in the sector’s surging M&A activity. Below, our senior professionals share recent clients that exemplify the sought-after businesses and M&A opportunities in water and wastewater services.  

Deal-Making Across the Value Chain

Due to water and wastewater infrastructure trends, services, products, and technology throughout the sector are experiencing higher demand. That demand is driving a wave of investment in businesses that maintain water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as provide water and wastewater treatment services. 

As evidenced by recent Harris Williams transactions, investor interest is strong for differentiated companies in water and wastewater services. Contact our senior professionals to learn more about the sector’s M&A opportunities.