Water Initiative

Newry has recently undertaken an exciting new project -- creating the world's first comprehensive database on local water supply, infrastructure, technology, and pricing across the globe. Read more here.
The World’s First Comprehensive Water Database

Newry recently completed an exciting new project -- creating the world's first comprehensive database covering local water supply, infrastructure, technology, and pricing across the globe. Our mission has been to bring needed transparency to a vital resource that will be a factor in an increasingly wide range of business and policy decisions worldwide.

Awareness of the increasing threat of water scarcity is higher than ever. Globally, water is playing an increasing role in decisions ranging from facility siting and technology investment to legislation and government spending. As the world's water resources are subjected to greater distress and scarcity, many organizations feel the need for a clear understanding of current capabilities and economics in water supply, treatment, distribution, and pricing. 

Leveraging international partners, Newry identified 44 major cities facing water challenges -- aligned with the Clinton Climate Initiative's C40 -- for research and site visits. A team of six consultants mounted a huge research and travel effort, collecting over 200 types of data -- operations, pricing, financial, performance, demographics, which resulted in over 25,000 data points and the most comprehensive database of information available on these 44 cities. 

Newry's Global Water Initiative Data List

The insight and data gathered from these cities revealed specific insights and major trends. First and foremost: On average, capital expenditures for water-related infrastructure in each city grew from $165 Million to $540 Million per city 1999-2008 – more than 12.5% CAGR. 

Newry's Global Water Database 

Further high-level insights include: 

In general, water utilities experienced significant challenges in meeting increased water demand as water stress and scarcity increased 

  • Average population served grew 19.5 percent
  • Average per-capita production capacity dropped 9.8 percent, from 386.12 cubic meters of capacity per person to 351.73 cubic meters of capacity per person

Costs increased significantly as utilities met these challenge

  • Average capital expenditures grew 68.3 percent, from US$169.5 million to US$534.1 million. (Expenditure data was converted from local currencies using year-to-year rates.)
  • Average operating costs per unit of water produced grew 44.2 percent, from US$0.495 per cubic meter to US$0.886 per cubic meter (converted using year-to-year rate

Prices struggled to keep pace with rising operating costs

  • Average residential pricing grew 35.2 percent, from US$24.14 to US$37.25 per household per month (converted using year-to-year rates, assuming 25 cubic meters of consumption per household per month)
 
In addition to our extensive research, we interviewed more than 200 water utility managers and decision makers face to face on 5 continents. The results were especially exciting:
 
" I am spending billions of dollars on new water infrastructure and desalination plants every year. Why aren't US companies calling on me? "
 
 
This project has led to significant insight into international water challenges and trends, resulting in an exhaustive database of operational, financial, and demographic information. Based on this growing expertise, Newry and its partners continue to work with local utilities, global environmental and humanitarian thought leaders, legislators, and NGOs. Every day, decisions about manufacturing investments, real estate purchases, aid programs, and government policy are made around the world. We aim to provide a clear understanding of water challenges and resources to key decision makers, helping them make the most important decisions with the best data. 
 

For more information, contact:

Mark McClusky, President

Newry Corp.

+1.440.808.3839 x104

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 
 
[ Back ]