Blog | FirmoGraphs, LLC

Water and Wastewater Market Recap, March 2021

Written by FirmoGraphs Staff | Apr 8, 2021 5:18:36 PM

March 2021's Water and Wastewater Market Recap is a snapshot of water industry insights. We share industry drivers, notable projects, recent mergers and acquisitions, interesting reads, and updates on upcoming meetings and conferences.

Industry Drivers

Our data team tracks new and updated industry drivers. Here are some recent drivers we have been following this month:

U.S. Infrastructure Receives C- Grade on ASCE’s 2021 Report Card

Status: Effective

Organization: The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Summary: On March 3, 2021, the American Society of Civil Engineers issued its 2021 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, giving a grade C- to an overall infrastructure in the United States. Drinking water’s got C-, while wastewater scored a D+ and stormwater got a D.

Click here for more information.

Biden Delays Trump Changes to Lead and Copper Drinking Water Rule

Status: Effective

Organization: White House

Summary: On March 3, 2021, the President administration issued a statement saying it is postponing the application of a Donald Trump administration update to a rule governing lead and copper in drinking water.

Click here for more information. 

EPA Celebrates World Water Day, Announces $2.7 Billion to Improve Water Infrastructure

Status: Effective

Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Summary: On March 22, 2021, World Water Day, the EPA announced an opportunity worth $2.7 billion for State Revolving Funds (SRF) to help states, territories and tribes to bring safe water drinking and protect surface water through infrastructure projects. EPA is making available more than $1.1 billion in new federal grant funding for the Drinking Water SRF, and is also providing around $1.6 billion in new federal grant funding for the Clean Water SRF. 

Click here for more information. 

Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act

Status: Proposed

Organization: United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Summary: On March 24, 2021, the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee passed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021. The bill is intended to reauthorize many federal water infrastructure funding programs, while also adding new programs that will assist communities in water infrastructure challenges. The bill is anticipated to be considered in the Senate in April 2021. 

Click here for more information. 

 

Notable Capital Improvement Programs

Here is a recent, notable Capital Improvement Program (CIP). FirmoGraphs has deconstructed the CIP into data elements, along with available project descriptions. Request a meeting to review the data live in the BI tool.

Savannah Council Spent $61 Million on Water Improvement Showing the Expense in Capital Improvement Program 2021 

In December 2020 Savannah Council released 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Plan showing the projects related to Water Improvements, Sanitation Improvements, Sewer Improvements, Recreation, Streets & Sidewalks, Drainage and Traffic Management. 

This year’s CIP totals $358 million. The Business Area of Savannah Council’s Water Improvement is appropriated with $61 million, Sewer Improvement with $91 million, and Drainage with $90 million.

The current 2021-2025 Capital Program has intended funds for 77 projects in total. The highest valued CIP Projects include “Springfield Canal Drainage Improvements” for $46 million and “Casey South Drainage Improvements Phase II-A” for $40 million.

Business Area

2020- 2029 CIP

Expenses in %

Sewer Improvements

$91 million

25.55%

Drainage

$90 million

25.26%

Water Improvements

$60 million

17.06%

Streets & Sidewalks

$56 million

15.70%

Community Development

$22 million

6.36%

Other

$14 million

4.14%

Public Building

$9 million

2.76%

Traffic Management

$4.5 million

1.26%

Squares & Monuments

$3.5 million

0.99%

Cemetery

$2.4 million

0.40%

Recreation

$1.2 million

0.35%

Sanitation Improvements

$0.6 million

0.19%

Total

$357 million

100%

 

Source: https://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20982/Adopted-2021---For-online-use?bidId=

 

Notable M&A

The following M&A transaction in the Water and Wastewater Industry stands out in the month of March:

  • March 2, 2021, Global Water Resources agreed to acquire Twin Hawks Utility and Rincon Water Company.
    Click here for more information. 

What We Are Reading

Here are some recent articles our team has been readings:

Meeting Planner

Organizations have shifted their event strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are tracking these changing meeting plans. 

Meetings in April and May 2021