Black & Veatch

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Now in its 15th year, the Black & Veatch 2026 Water Report measures industry progress, tracks market shifts and spotlights the emerging challenges and opportunities shaping the future of water.

Built on survey data from more than 600 U.S. water industry stakeholders, the 2026 Water Report delivers a comprehensive, data-driven look at the challenges, strategies and opportunities shaping the sector right now.

A few findings that stand out:

• 66% cite aging infrastructure as the top industry challenge, consistent year over year.

• 45% say funding won't be sufficient to meet capital needs over the next 5 to 10 years.

• Utility confidence in serving large industrial customers dropped 13 points in two years, driven by surging demand from data centers and advanced manufacturing.

• Collaborative delivery projects tripled since early 2024, representing $47.4B in investment across 43 states.

With expert analysis and real-world case studies, the 2026 Water Report is your guide for benchmarking progress and preparing for what's next in water. Explore topics including funding and finance, regulation and compliance, treatment and water quality, industrial water demand, digital transformation, resilience and planning, and collaborative delivery.