Water Infrastructure Woes
A new analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.frost.com), “U.S. Municipal Water Equipment Market: Investment Analysis and Growth Opportunities,” reveals that revenue in this market (excluding the pipes and fittings sector) totaled $4.09 billion in 2004 and projects to reach $5.22 billion by 2011.
The municipal water sector accounts for 40 percent of the total water usage in the United States. While water safety and quality concerns are the primary drivers for many investments made at the municipal level, the need to disseminate drinking water efficiently through structured water mains is drawing considerable industry focus. “Water, a basic necessity, is turning out to be an investment necessity,” notes Frost & Sullivan research analyst Santosh Ejanthkar. “The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that heavy investments will be required in the U.S. to upgrade or replace the water infrastructure to ensure compliance with the safety standards prescribed by the Safe Drinking Water Act.” In order for water equipment manufacturers to take advantage of the increasing opportunities in the municipal water treatment and distribution sector, they must continue to develop new technologies to treat emerging contaminants.
While developments in ozone and ultraviolet technologies are expanding the application areas of these technologies, membrane technology may eventually replace conventional filtration equipment, due to its increased reliability financially viable technology. By upgrading aging infrastructures with membrane treatment systems, municipalities can achieve cost savings in the long run. However, advanced water treatment systems are relatively capital intensive, which affects public municipalities, which often have limited funding. Nonetheless, the current state of water municipalities and increasing public awareness on drinking water quality standards will force federal agencies to implement corrective action at a quicker pace.
As the government looks to increase its focus on improving the national water infrastructure, water equipment vendors stand to benefit from resultant opportunities and display solid growth. “Until recently, the water sector had largely been ignored by the financial community,” says Ejanthkar. “However, with conglomerates buying out smaller companies and a growing number of investors eyeing this sector, the water equipment market promises healthy opportunities.”
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