Podcast
The Future of Water
Hosted by Bluefield Research · EN
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.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What’s at Stake When Cyber Threats Target Water Infrastructure?
Oct 2100:57:47Tap to summarizeWater systems—once considered too small or obscure to be hacked—are now squarely in the crosshairs of cyber actors. In recent months, Bluefield Research has tracked a surge of cyber activity targeting water and wastewater utilities around the world, from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) release of 32 new control system advisories to Poland’s launch of a national cybersecurity framework for water utilities. In this episode of The Future of Water, Bluefield’s Barcelona-based Maria Cardenal and Boston-based Leigh Ramsey join host Reese Tisdale to unpack one of the most pressing—and overlooked—threats facing the water sector: cybersecurity. Our water experts explore where these threats are emerging, how utilities are responding, and what the next phase of digital resilience looks like. Key discussion points include: What’s really at stake when critical infrastructure is under attack The biggest vulnerabilities in today’s water systems—from legacy hardware to weak IT–OT segmentation Real-world examples from the U.S., Norway, and Poland that show how cyberattacks on operational assets are evolving How governments are responding—including Poland’s US$1.1 billion cybersecurity initiative for water and wastewater systems How smaller utilities are managing cybersecurity with limited resources The role of new regulations—from the EU’s NIS2 Directive to state-level initiatives in the U.S. Why cybersecurity must become part of asset management and workforce training, not an afterthought 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: Poland Strengthens Cybersecurity in the Water Sector Cybersecurity Alerts Highlight Water HMI Vulnerabilities
Transcribe →How Did Midstream Water Become a US$26 Billion-a-Year Business?
Oct 700:39:00Tap to summarizeToday's episode dives into one of the most critical—yet often overlooked—pieces of the U.S. energy and water puzzle: midstream water in oil and gas. Host Reese Tisdale is joined by Sophie Washington, Senior Analyst at Bluefield Research, who recently authored Bluefield's new Insight Report: U.S. Midstream Water for Hydraulic Fracturing: Market Trends, Opportunities, and Forecasts, 2025–2030. In this conversation, Reese and Sophie unpack how the midstream water sector has evolved from a cost center into a strategic enabler for U.S. shale producers. They explore what’s driving the US$156 billion market through 2030, how water reuse and infrastructure investments are reshaping operations, and why water management in U.S. shale has become a key part of the global energy story. In this episode, Bluefield's water experts discuss: What is midstream water? How large is the market? Why should we care about this? What's driving market growth and change? Where are the regional hotspots? Who are the key players and how is the competitive landscape changing? 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. Midstream Water for Hydraulic Fracturing: Market Trends, Opportunities, and Forecasts, 2025–2030 Western Midstream Bets on Water with US$2 Billion Aris Acquisition Midstream Water Outlook Signals Increased Efficiencies, Infrastructure Investment
Transcribe →TAQA’s US$1.2 Billion Move: What Does GS Inima Bring to the Global Water Market?
Sep 2300:33:50Tap to summarizeAbu Dhabi’s TAQA is acquiring Spain-based GS Inima for US$1.2 billion, creating one of the most interesting moves in the global water sector this year. TAQA has long been known as a power and desalination leader in the Gulf, while GS Inima brings decades of experience managing water projects across Europe and Latin America. Together, the companies form a new global player with nearly 50 assets across 10 countries. In this episode, podcast host Reese Tisdale and Bluefield Senior Analyst Antonio del Olmo break down the deal and its implications for the global water sector: What does TAQA gain by acquiring GS Inima’s global portfolio? How does exposure to Europe and Brazil shift its risk profile and strategy? Why is Brazil attracting so much private investment in water, and what challenges come with it? Do GS Inima’s European projects provide a counterweight to emerging market risks? What does this acquisition signal for competition with global players like Veolia and ENGIE? 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: TAQA Expands Strategic Footprint Through GS Inima
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What Do 2025 Capital Improvement Plans Reveal About Water Utility Spending?
Sep 900:25:54Tap to summarizeBluefield Senior Analyst Charlie Suse joins host Reese Tisdale to unpack Bluefield’s latest analysis of municipal utility capital improvement plans (CIPs) across the U.S. and Canada. Covering 777 utilities across all 50 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces, the study captures over US$400 billion in planned investment through 2034. With five years of data (2021–2025) and more than 40,000 projects segmented across stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water, these plans are more than just documents—they’re roadmaps for billions in spending, revealing priorities, funding expectations, and regulatory pressures that shape the water sector. Key questions addressed in this episode: Why did Bluefield undertake this capital improvement plan analysis? How did Bluefield approach the methodology and data gathering? What does the spending outlook look like through 2034? Which segments and utilities stand out as the biggest opportunities? What are the broader takeaways for utilities, vendors, and investors looking ahead? 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. & Canada Municipal Utility Capital Improvement Plans, 2025–2034 U.S. Water & Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure CAPEX Forecasts, 2025–2035 U.S. Stormwater Infrastructure Market: Key Drivers, Competitive Shifts & Investment Outlook, 2024–2030
Transcribe →Why Don’t We Care About Water?
Aug 2600:21:47Tap to summarizeThis week, podcast host Reese Tisdale takes the mic solo to ask a question that’s been bothering him: Why does no one care about water? Reese steps away from the usual market forecasts and company strategies to dig into the bigger picture—the hidden value of water, the cracks showing in our systems, and why the most essential resource on earth is so often overlooked. From the invisible gallons behind the food we eat and the clothes we wear, to the staggering imbalance in federal spending, to the mounting pressure from climate, infrastructure, and population growth—this episode shines a light on the urgency of water and the opportunities to adapt. Topics covered include: Why water is taken for granted in the developed world The hidden water footprint behind everyday products How clean water infrastructure investments have doubled U.S. life expectancy Cracks in the system: leaks, aging pipes, and new demands from data centers and population growth The human factor: affordability, politics, and shifting utility budgets Opportunities in reuse, desalination, digital tools, and new financing models Reese closes with a reminder: there’s no substitute for water. If climate is the shark, water is the teeth. And while the challenges are real, so too are the opportunities—making now, in a strange way, the best time to be 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: The Future of Water: Securing One Thing We Can't Replace
Transcribe →Industrial Water Showdown: Comparing Opportunities Across Europe and the U.S.
Aug 1200:45:32Tap to summarizeThis week, podcast host Reese Tisdale is joined by Boston-based Senior Analyst Amber Walsh and Barcelona-based Analyst Zineb Moumen to compare two of the world’s largest industrial water markets. With the release of Bluefield’s new industrial water forecasts and market trends analysis, they explore how the U.S. & Canada and Europe stack up across market size, growth, and opportunity. From semiconductor fabs and data centers to food, chemicals, and power generation, Bluefield's water experts discuss the sectors driving water spend, the regulatory and incentive frameworks shaping each market, and the geographic hotspots for investment. They also examine the CAPEX vs. OPEX dynamics and how companies can position themselves for success in two very different market environments. Key questions explored in this episode: How do the U.S. & Canada and Europe industrial water markets compare in size and growth? Which industrial sectors are creating the biggest water opportunities? What role do regulations and incentives play in shaping industrial water investment? Where are the geographic hotspots? Where’s the bigger opportunity: CAPEX or OPEX? How should companies position themselves for success? 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: Europe Industrial Water Market Outlook: Trends, Drivers, and Forecasts, 2025–2030 U.S. & Canada Industrial Water & Wastewater Market: Key Trends and Forecasts, 2024–2030 U.S. Water for Data Centers: Market Trends, Opportunities, and Forecasts, 2025–2030
Transcribe →Canada’s New Water Agency and the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’: What’s Next for Water Funding in North America?
Jul 2900:44:16Tap to summarizeFrom bold new initiatives in Canada to proposed federal budget cuts in the U.S., major policy shifts are reshaping the water landscape across North America. In this episode, Bluefield’s water experts unpack what these changes mean for funding, regulation, and the future of water infrastructure. Canada’s launch of a national Water Agency and CAD$650M Freshwater Action Plan marks a turning point, while in the U.S., the “Big Beautiful Bill” and EPA workforce cuts raise big questions about the direction of federal support. Bluefield's President & CEO Reese Tisdale and Senior Research Director Greg Goodwin dig into the potential impacts for utilities, technology providers, and the broader market. Key questions explored in this episode: What’s happening in Canada, and why does it matter? What’s the status of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” and what does it mean for water? How will State Revolving Fund (SRF) cuts impact utilities and the market? EPA layoffs—what does this mean for water science and regulation? 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. & Canada Water Policy Review: Key Developments and Market Outlook, H1 2025 EPA PFAS Changes Clarify Rulemaking Intent Tariffs and Beyond: Q&A Session Risk and Resiliency in the Global Water Sector
Transcribe →What’s Driving the Market for Decentralized Water Treatment?
Jul 1500:38:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Future of Water, Bluefield Senior Analyst Amber Walsh joins host Reese Tisdale to break down Grundfos’s recent acquisition of Newterra and what it signals for the future of decentralized water treatment. Amber not only unpacks the deal itself—Grundfos’s fifth treatment-related acquisition since 2020—but also explores the broader competitive landscape for onsite treatment solutions. Decentralized treatment, also referred to as onsite water management, is gaining traction among industrial, and increasingly municipal and commercial, users. But why? What’s driving solutions providers like Grundfos to expand into treatment? And what does this mean for customers? We get into it all—plus the market opportunities, players to watch, and the underlying trends shaping the shift toward modular systems. Key Topics Covered: Grundfos + Newterra: Why the world’s largest pump manufacturer is acquiring a U.S.-based modular treatment firm. Strategic Expansion: A look at Grundfos’s treatment push—from Eurowater and MECO to the recent acquisition of Culligan’s C&I business. Industrial Market Growth: U.S. industrial water market projected at US$22.9B in 2025, with high-growth segments in pharma, data centers, and food & beverage. Why Decentralized?: Faster deployment, on-site reuse, risk outsourcing—meeting demands in a changing regulatory and infrastructure landscape. Who Else Is Playing?: From Saur’s 13 acquisitions since 2020 to Xylem’s Evoqua acquisition, to PE-backed firms building up treatment players—Amber outlines the rising competition. What’s Next: M&A, lifecycle services, digital integration, and a growing focus on water reuse are transforming the treatment ecosystem. 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: Newterra Pushes Grundfos Along Water Value Chain 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
Transcribe →How Are Investor-Owned Utilities Reshaping the U.S. Water Market Through M&A?
Jul 100:43:18Tap to summarizeToday’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
Transcribe →How is Europe’s Water Sector Responding to Climate and Regulatory Pressure?
Jun 1700:50:34Tap to summarizeBluefield 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
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