
Hosted by Antoine Walter · EN

How Does Water-as-a-Service Drive Billion-Dollar Exits in Infrastructure Investment?🤫 Tired of stitching together Crunchbase, overpriced reports, and "a guy who knows a guy"? I built the fix. 50 Founder Seats. Join the waitlist: leviathandata.io🙌 Supporters 🙌 A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab ⬇️ IN THIS VIDEO ⬇️ Seven Seas Water Group is a vertically integrated water infrastructure platform that designs, builds, finances, operates, and maintains water and wastewater treatment facilities under long-term service agreements. The company recently completed a successful company exit from Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners to EQT Infrastructure, operating over 210 water-as-a-service contracts across the Caribbean and United States with particular expertise in brackish water desalination and decentralized treatment systems. Henry Charrabe is the CEO of Seven Seas Water Group, who led the company through a successful four-year transformation and company exit, previously serving in executive roles at Fluence Corporation, and is recognized for pioneering the application of water-as-a-service business models in US municipal and industrial markets. 🌶️ KEY SPICES 🌶️ 💰 Vertically integrated platform - Seven Seas handles design, engineering, financing, construction, and operations in-house, eliminating margin stacking for lower costs and faster execution than multi-partner water tech competitors⚡ Proven track record at scale - 210+ active water purchase agreements with 15-30 year terms demonstrate repeatable success new entrants cannot easily replicate🔄 Patient capital meets expertise - The company exit proves infrastructure investors holding 4+ years combined with deep water knowledge generate exceptional returns in underinvested US infrastructure📊 Public vs private dynamics - Public water equities offer lower risk and liquidity; private funds deliver superior returns for patient capital—both forming a necessary growth ecosystem🥜 IN A NUTSHELL 🥜 Why is water-as-a-service winning? Performance-based contracts align incentives—investors only get paid when delivering contracted water quality and quantity.What makes the US market attractive? Massive infrastructure underinvestment, creditworthy municipal off-takers, and decentralized systems create exceptional deployment opportunities.How do private and public returns differ? Private water investments achieve 10x returns with patient capital, while public equities deliver 14-15% annually with lower risk and immediate liquidity.Why fewer IPOs today? Cyclical markets favor private-to-private exits when strategic buyers offer better valuations than public market multiples.What's the biggest opportunity? Reducing waste beats new supply—California loses 32% to inefficiencies, making conservation more economically attractive than desalination.#️⃣ Mentioned Links #️⃣ Seven Seas' websiteLoughlin Water PartnersOrange Ridge CapitalRobin Castelli's bookHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

🤔 What Happened to Source Global's Water-from-Air Technology?🤫 Tired of stitching together Crunchbase, overpriced reports, and "a guy who knows a guy"? I built the fix. 50 Founder Seats. Join the waitlist: leviathandata.io🙌 Supporters 🙌 A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab My best water tech analysis straight to your inboxSOURCE (formerly Zero Mass Water) produced drinking water from air using solar-powered Hydropanels. Founded in 2015 by Cody Friesen, it raised $270 million, becoming one of water tech's most-funded companies - before turning into a Company Failure🥜 IN A NUTSHELL 🥜 What was Source Global's core technology? Solar-powered Hydropanels that extract drinking water from atmospheric humidity, requiring no electrical or water infrastructure.Why did the company fail despite massive funding? Ran out of cash after failing to raise funds, faced major quality issues from Malaysian manufacturing, and had unsustainable costs versus traditional water delivery, leading to company failureWhat were the main product problems? High failure rates within 2-3 years, frequent fan and battery breakages, and warranty quietly reduced from 10 to 5 years.Did Source attempt a business pivot? Acquired Proud Source Water and launched Sky Water, building Hydropanel farms to produce canned atmospheric water at scale.What remains of Source Global today? The founder and executives left in early 2025. Hydropanels and Sky Water are out of stock, but the acquired Proud Source Water business continues operating despite the mother company failure#️⃣ Mentioned Links #️⃣ SOURCE's SEC filings (over the years): Source on GlassdoorSource's troubles in AllensworthMy own interview with Source, four years agoSource's website (still active)Cody Friesen's LinkedIn profileProud Source Water's websiteThunderf00t's original videoHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How Do 32+ Electrochemical Water Oxidation Technologies Compete for PFAS Destruction Market Share? Listen to this!🤫 Tired of stitching together Crunchbase, overpriced reports, and "a guy who knows a guy"? I built the fix. 50 Founder Seats. Join the waitlist: leviathandata.io🙌 Supporters 🙌 A big thank you to my partner, Georg Fischer: https://www.gfps.com/com/en/products-solutions/solutions/design-prefabrication.html#!How Do 32+ Electrochemical Water Oxidation Technologies Compete for PFAS Destruction Market Share?Electrochemical Water Oxidation is an emerging treatment technology that uses electrical current to break down persistent contaminants like PFAS in industrial wastewater. With 32 identified companies developing proprietary systems—17 specifically targeting PFAS destruction—this crowded market represents both intense competition and strong validation of a rapidly growing industrial need.Antoine Walter is a water technology analyst and podcast host who has interviewed nine electrochemical oxidation companies, conducted comprehensive market research across 32 players in the space, and provides strategic insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and water industry executives navigating this competitive landscape.🌶️ KEY SPICES 🌶️⚡ Power Density Range: Technologies span three orders of magnitude (100-10,000+ A/m²), with higher densities potentially enabling more compact treatment systems💎 Electrode Materials: Boron-Doped Diamond (33%) and Titanium suboxide (28%) lead among PFAS-focused companies, with Mixed Metal Oxide dominant overall🎯 Market Maturity: 53% of PFAS-targeting companies operate at TRL 8 with only two at full commercial deployment (TRL 9)🧪 Defluorination Proof: Four companies have achieved third-party verified >90% defluorination, with half reporting complete PFAS destruction capabilities🏭 Minimal Chemistry: 58% operate with minimal chemical addition, and 83% self-clean through electrical reversal or direct capacity🥜 IN A NUTSHELL 🥜What's the actual market size? Only an estimated 250 of 10 million global industrial facilities have addressed PFAS in wastewater, with perhaps 24 choosing electrochemical oxidation—creating fierce competition for limited installations.How do electrode materials differ? Boron-Doped Diamond offers superior performance but higher costs, while Mixed Metal Oxide and Titanium suboxide provide alternatives, with some companies opting for sacrificial anodes to reduce expenses.What determines system performance? Power density, pH tolerance (46% work at neutral pH), electrode lifetime, and reactor design collectively influence treatment efficiency and operational costs more than any single factor.Are these technologies deployment-ready? Most companies (TRL 7-9) have moved beyond lab-scale, though only Axine and AECOM have reached full commercial deployment with multiple installations.What's the investment opportunity? The collective $120M raised across startups represents capital-efficient validation, with regulatory pressure intensifying and the addressable market potentially growing 10x within three years.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Making water from thin air at 1¢/liter? Listen to this!More #WaterTech insights? Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6884833968848474112🙌 Supporters 🙌 A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣Uravu's website: https://www.uravulabs.comConnect with Swapnil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swapnil-shrivastav-374867aa/Google X's (failed) attempt at Water Tech: https://youtu.be/GxwOSIz_cckMy conversation with Peter Yolles (one of Uravu's investors): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s12e14-how-echo-river-capital-sees-10x-water-returns-as-too-conservativeMy exploration of Source: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s7e2-expensive-heavy-but-desperately-needed-is-source-the-future-of-drinking-water🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?⏰ TIME CODES ⏰00:00 Introduction 01:52 Challenges in Atmospheric Water Generation 05:08 Data Centers and Atmospheric Water Generation 09:07 Introducing: Swapnil Shrivastav15:16 Founding Story and Early Challenges 17:55 Technological Shifts and Market Focus 25:05 Desiccant Technology and Future Vision 29:20 System Design and Cost Efficiency 33:08 Business Models and Market Strategies37:39 Challenges and Future Vision 51:32 Rapid Fire QuestionsAbout this Podcast:Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast, the leading podcast for water industry professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking deep insights into water tech innovation, investment trends, and strategic moves in the sector. Host Antoine Walter blends his technical expertise with sharp business acumen to deliver weekly episodes featuring candid conversations with C-suite executives, detailed analysis of major water industry developments, and practical insights for water tech startups and seasoned players alike. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Wondering How to Extract Lithium Without Mining or Massive Water Use? Listen to this!More #WaterTech insights? Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6884833968848474112🙌 Supporters 🙌 A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣Evove's onsite lithium demonstration with Northern Lithium: https://www.evove.tech/dle-onsite-demo/Evove's Lithium website: https://www.dle.technology/Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reklawa/Joe Lowry's (excellent!) Lithium podcast: https://www.globallithium.net/podcastMy conversation with Chris Wyres: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s9e7-how-to-eradicate-dead-zones-cut-energy-needs-by-80-and-double-lithium-selectivityMy conversation with Jay Keener (Altillion): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s12e9-how-altillion-s-liquid-liquid-technology-redefines-resource-recovery🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?⏰ TIME CODES ⏰00:00 Introduction: Independence and Lithium Technology 04:15 In-Depth Discussion with Andrew Walker 08:25 Understanding DLE and Its Complexities 13:10 The Future of Lithium Extraction 29:25 Introducing Separonics: The Next Generation Technology 36:47 Lithium Extraction and Water Reuse in the Permian Basin 41:02 Ceramic vs. Polymeric Membranes 44:34 3D Printing in Membrane Manufacturing 48:14 Partnerships and Market Strategies 53:54 North American Projects and Challenges 59:37 South American Lithium Projects 01:02:02 Future Goals and Rapid Fire QuestionsAbout this Podcast:Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast, the leading podcast for water industry professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking deep insights into water tech innovation, investment trends, and strategic moves in the sector. Host Antoine Walter blends his technical expertise with sharp business acumen to deliver weekly episodes featuring candid conversations with C-suite executives, detailed analysis of major water industry developments, and practical insights for water tech startups and seasoned players alike. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ever wondered why Smart Utilities Let Their Assets Break? Then listen to this: It will show you how Physics beats AI in Asset Management! More #water insights? Subscribe to my newsletter, for free! https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6884833968848474112 🙌 Supporters 🙌 A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ MentorAPM's website: https://mentorapm.com/ Connect with Tacoma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tacoma-zach-p-eng-0913514/ My interview with Amanda Siqueira from VAPAR: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s11e15-how-vapar-s-ai-makes-underground-pipe-inspections-seamless 🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️ Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next? ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 Introduction 01:41 AI in Water Tech: Marketing vs Reality 08:29 Asset Management vs Asset Performance Management 14:53 Tailoring Asset Management to Water 24:16 The Journey of MentorAPM 37:31 The Role of AI in Asset Management 41:12 Understanding AI Claims and Customer Trust 43:36 Predictive Maintenance and Customer Data 46:20 MentorLens: A Game Changer for Utilities 49:45 Go-to-Market Strategy and Consultant Relationships 52:01 Empowering Customers with Simple Software 01:00:55 Growth, Profitability, and Market Consolidation 01:08:02 Vision for the Future and AI Integration 01:16:07 Rapid Fire Questions #WaterTech #WaterAI #GrowthHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

I analyzed 139 publicly traded water companies and discovered a simple formula that predicts their valuations using just three parameters: position on the "boring-to-hype spectrum," percentage of digital revenue, and percentage of recurring revenue. This formula reveals systematic market mispricing that creates 8-25% annual return opportunities by exploiting Wall Street's ignorance of water industry fundamentals. Wanna find out? Listen to this!More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/🙌 Supporters 🙌A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelabAnd a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣The Investor Database: https://investors.dww.show/My exploration of (failing) Small Cap Water Stocks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flen_vwx0kQMy conversations with Nicola Lei Ravello: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s2e13-can-we-turn-finance-astoundingly-into-the-water-sector-s-new-best-allyhttps://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s5e18-how-to-admit-value-and-actually-overcome-the-economic-risk-of-water🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-waterWebsite: https://dww.show/podcast/🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?⏰ TIME CODES ⏰00:00 Making Money from Water Stocks? 04:39 The Key Data 07:45 Sponsor: SimpleLab 08:28 Finding 1 10:36 Finding 2 12:02 Finding 3 13:30 Finding 4 15:13 Finding 5 17:02 Finding 6 18:50 Finding 7 19:57 Bonus Finding 22:11 Sponsor: Blue Foot Membranes 23:07 Strategy 1 24:59 Strategy 2 27:07 Strategy 3 29:14 Bonus Strategy 31:57 ConclusionIn this week's episode:After analyzing 139 publicly traded water companies and uncovering systematic market mispricing, this water engineer reveals seven data-driven insights showing how water stocks trade at a 12% discount to the S&P 500 despite their defensive characteristics, with Asian companies undervalued by 50% and digital transformation creating 65% valuation premiums. The research exposes three investment strategies ranging from conservative "boring money" portfolios to aggressive geographic arbitrage plays that could potentially deliver 8-25% annual returns by exploiting Wall Street's lack of water industry expertise.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Wanna learn how to comply with PFAS Removal targets with the lowest risk and without breaking the bank? Listen to this!More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/🙌 Supporters 🙌A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelabAnd a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣Mirka's email: MWilderer@aqueousvets.comAqueoUS Vets' website: https://aqueousvets.com/homePFAS Sensing with FREDsense: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s12e18Bain Capital acquires AqueoUS Vets: https://www.baincapital.com/news/water-treatment-innovator-aqueous-vets-secures-growth-investment-bain-capital-double-impactMy conversation with Transcend (ages ago! 😅): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/17-save-time-boost-value-and-wow-customers-in-a-snap-with-these-5-simple-ai-stepsAqueoUS Vets acquires Dixie Tanks: https://www.pehub.com/bain-capital-backed-aqueous-vets-buys-manufacturer-dixie-tank-company/🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-waterWebsite: https://dww.show/podcast/🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?⏰ TIME CODES ⏰00:00 Introduction 01:45 Private Equity and Water Investments 04:54 AqueoUS Vets: Vision and Strategy 06:08 Innovations in PFAS Removal08:40 Concept to Commission Approach 11:22 Nationwide Expansion and Vertical Integration 15:04 Media Agnostic Solutions 21:18 Future Technologies and Market Trends 26:11 The Importance of Focus in Business Strategy 28:03 Competing with Industry Giants 31:19 Navigating US Tariffs and Local Manufacturing 33:29 The Future of PFAS Regulation and Market Growth 36:44 Bain's Role and Impact Investment 42:39 Scaling and Operational Efficiency 47:51 Rapid Fire Questions Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

PFAS testing in Water takes 1-3 months according to the AWWA. How can FREDsense make it happen in 5 Days instead without cutting corners? Listen to this!More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/🙌 Supporters 🙌A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelabAnd a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣FREDsense's website: https://fredsense.com/Reach out to Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhicks12/Check out Julie Bliss Mullen's interview on the podcast: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s11e2-how-aclarity-bootstrapped-its-journey-from-b2c-to-pfas-destructionFlashback to Meena Sankaran's appearance on the mic': https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s3e7-is-software-to-measure-water-quality-actually-a-matter-of-hardware🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-waterWebsite: https://dww.show/podcast/🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?⏰ TIME CODES ⏰00:00 In this week's episode 01:27 The EPA vs AWWA PFAS lawsuit 04:20 The Economic Impact of PFAS Regulations 06:37 FREDsense and Emily Hicks' journey 10:51 Technical Insights 15:13 Real-World Applications and Case Studies 32:58 PFAS Market Demand and Education 36:51 Global Market Focus and Expansion 39:18 Hardware Development and Bootstrapping 45:48 Business Models and Revenue Streams 47:27 Future Vision and Technological Roadmap 54:51 Rapid Fire Questions📝 IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE🚀 How FREDsense delivers PFAS testing in 5 days vs. industry standard 5 weeks through biosensor technology💰 The bootstrapped journey from $25K water bottle crowdfunding campaign to pioneering field PFAS detection kits🔬 Why the company pivoted from arsenic and COVID detection to focusing purely on PFAS chemistry and unmet market needs🛠️ What makes on-site PFAS testing possible: polymer-based biosensors that bind and measure down to part-per-trillion levels🤝 Strategic partnerships with treatment leaders like Clarity, Axl, and Avivo for service lab rapid turnaround offeringsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if your next AI prompt could help restore wetlands and improve water security? Listen to this!More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/🙌 Supporters 🙌A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://gosimplelab.com/And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://bluefootmembranes.com/#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣Connect with Will Hewes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-hewes-61947232/Check out Amazon's take to Water Stewardship: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/natural-resources/waterMy conversation with Botanical Water: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/how-tomatoes-become-drinking-water-and-microsoft-wants-inMy conversation with FIDO Tech: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s5e4-how-to-save-time-money-and-water-thanks-to-92-accurate-leak-detectionMy discussion with Lauren Kenyon Enright on measuring Water Stewardship: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s11e9-how-to-end-bullshit-and-measure-your-water-stewardship-commitments-right🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-waterWebsite: https://dww.show/podcast/📝 IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE💧 How AWS manages water in data centers while pursuing ambitious water-positive goals by 2030🔍 The tech and strategies making AWS 10x more water-efficient than industry average with just 0.18L per kilowatt-hour♻️ Why recycled wastewater and smart replenishment projects are the foundation of AWS's sustainability approach📊 The metrics and methodology behind AWS's water-positive pledge and how they've already reached 41% of their target🌱 Real-world examples of innovative water projects in Chile, Brazil, and Ohio that are transforming local watersheds and agriculture🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?⏰ TIME CODES ⏰00:00 Introduction 02:27 Editorial 05:19 Water Efficiency in Data Centers 13:56 Replenishment Goals and Strategies 22:07 Community-Driven Water Replenishment Projects 25:14 Balancing Innovation and Risk 30:39 Scaling Agricultural Water Efficiency 35:36 Future of Water Replenishment and Sustainability 39:29 Rapid Fire QuestionsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.