Water is arguably the most important natural resource on the planet and is crucial to every country in the world, but each one manages their water supply different.
Water Supply in Australia
As Australia's supply of freshwater is increasingly vulnerable to droughts, possibly as a result of climate change, there is an emphasis on water conservation and various regions have imposed restrictions on the use of water.
Factors such as capital expenditure by the government, population growth rates, the gross value of farm production, water pricing, water availability, and seasonal rainfall patterns are forecast to continue influencing the Water Supply industry over the next five years. Private sector participation and environmental concerns are also anticipated to become increasingly important to the industry's performance over the period. As more governments seek to privatise or corporatise their water networks, the industry will likely be opened to additional private sector investment. Furthermore, investment in infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy following the COVID-19 pandemic could benefit the industry over the period.
The biggest companies holding the largest market share in the Water Supply in Australia industry include Sydney Water Corporation, Water Corporation, South Australian Water Corporation, Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority, Melbourne Water Corporation and Central SEQ Distributor-Retailer Authority.
American Water Works (AWK)
American Water Works is arguably the largest publicly-listed water company in the US. It provides drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. Water corporations have identified United States public systems as potentially profitable. These are United Water, a subsidiary of the French company Suez Environment, American Water, and Siemens from Germany which acquired US Filter Corps from French Veolia Environment and runs it under the Siemens name.
Water has been owned and managed by the state to ensure citizens have access at the right price. However, many countries have gradually turned to the private sector. For example England’s entire market is privatized.
Until the 1980s, universal provision of drinking water and sewerage services in England and Wales was considered a public health service. The water industry was privatized in 1989, according to the Conservative government's program.