Water technology

Wastewater

The Wastewater Team’s efforts are strategically focused on the Midwest, Texas and California, where the market is mature. Furthermore, the sustainable agenda is highly prioritized in California, where the state’s ambitions to reduce environmental impact and lower GHG emissions have resulted in stricter regulations.

One of the often unutilized opportunities of reducing energy consumption and increasing sustainability at U.S. utilities is generating energy and heat through intelligent use of carbon.

In the U.S., the energy consumption related to wastewater treatment accounts for approximately 35 percent of a typical municipality’s budget, and the EPA estimates that the GHG emissions in the U.S. water stream accounts for approximately 45 million tons of GHG annually. Therefore, the need to rethink old practices, sharing knowledge with progressive utilities and technologies to lower emissions and cut operational costs is in high demand.

Developing net-zero facilities by implementing energy efficient solutions such as VFD’s, efficient blowers, real-time sensors and control and mechanical mixers etc. as well as producing biogas from the sludge is a great way to optimize the treatment process and solve some of the challenges related to resource recovery.

Through decades of continuous work and strict regulations, the Danish water sector has achieved the most sustainable wastewater treatment process in the world. Now, as the U.S. is facing many of the same challenges, and focus on sustainability, energy efficiency and reducing operational costs have increased, great opportunities for Danish companies lies within areas such as:

• Process optimization
• Advanced biological treatment
• Real-time control and automation
• Data management Resource efficiency and recovery
• Biogas utilization  
• Biosolids

Over the years, the team has established a strong network in the industry, and our three dedicated advisors based in Chicago and Houston, are ready to assist your company in identifying and connecting with the right stakeholders. 

Water distribution

The U.S. is the largest water market in the world, and water conservation is a critical issue due to water scarcity, aging infrastructure and water loss. Over the next 20 years, investments related to drinking water systems are expected to require between $204 and $590 billion.

The water market in the U.S. is generally facing great challenges within water distribution. However, the U.S. water market cannot be limited to one market, as each state experience individual challenges and drivers based on local factors.

Over the years, the Water Distribution Team have focused its efforts in California and Texas, where water loss and conservation are top priorities due to aging infrastructure and impacts of climate change.

In recent years, several states have experienced the environmental consequences of severe droughts, water loss due to leaks from the aging infrastructure as well as leaks of water containing chlorine in rivers and streams.. Thus, the awareness of sustainable management of natural resources and conservation is increasing.

As sustainability is becoming a top priority in multiple states and cities, severe regulation to lower the environmental impact and use resources more sustainably are already in place.

California is a great example of one of the pioneering states, where ambitious targets are supported by regulations and strategic efforts, as they i.e. have been working on sustainable groundwater management and distribution since 2016.

Danish companies in the water sector are globally acknowledged for developing innovative, sustainable solutions, and multiple companies are already present in the flourishing U.S. market.

To meet local targets for sustainable water management within the coming years, the U.S. utilities have to invest in cost-efficient and high-quality solutions within:

• Pressure management
• Asset management
• Leak management
• Improved metering of water consumption.

Over the years, our advisors have gained access to the major utilities in addition to state regulators. As an example, the team has been working with the State Water Resource Control Board on how to implement regulation on e.g. water loss in California.

B2B & Industrial Water

The industrial water market is flourishing. As market leaders are beginning to implement strategies to lower environmental impacts and seeing the potential of cutting operational costs, vast opportunities within efficient water solutions lies ahead. 

The industrial water market in the U.S. is primarily driven by the private sector. Cutting operational costs and optimizing the production line are generally key drivers. Over the recent years, however, major companies have started to see the benefits of implementing sustainable solutions, both from an environmental and economical perspective.

The increased focus on sustainability and process optimization presents great opportunities for Danish companies providing sustainable and efficient water technology.  

The food and beverage industry is one of the sectors where market leaders are developing a more proactive approach to water and environment related issues. Strategic efforts include, but are not limited to; water re-use and minimizing consumption. The focus is especially increasing in California, where the companies’ ambitious reduction targets are supported by strict regulation regarding water usage.

As Danish food companies have been operating under extensive restrictions for decades, Danish technology providers have developed water and energy efficient solutions that meat rendering companies, dairy companies and breweries in the U.S. now can benefit from.

Another market that sees huge environmental challenges is the U.S. oil and gas industry. Unknown to many, water and environment is slowly becoming part of the agenda, but from a cost perspective. Over the years, we have seen the industry invest in other segments such as wind and solar, however, vast investments is also made in water re-use and waste water treatment, especially within fracking where water is becoming so valuable that the industry talks about the “clear gold”, water, instead of the “black gold”, oil.

Danish companies have the high-quality technology, solutions and know-how to assist the industrial water market, in several sub-segments, in developing more sustainable and efficient production processes.

• Water quality and re-use
• Process optimization and energy efficiency
• Digitization 
• Efficient wastewater treatment

Danish companies, however, tend to experience challenges related to outreach and stakeholder management. The competent advisors of the Industry Team are dedicated to assist the Danish companies in their local business development and set-up as well as strategy planning and implementation.

With a local presence across the U.S., the Industry Team is the Danish companies’ boots on the ground. The advisors ensure a sharp and dedicated market focus and sales efforts that are focused on developing sales channels through a network of distributors, engineering consultant and of course direct customer contact.