One note I'll like to add, you will see American Water Works listed below. They are now owned by Germany. They had a pump failure during the Nor'Easter that hit us a few weeks ago. That pump failure contributed to a good percentage of NJ's flooding.
Azurix (www.azurix.com) - Parent Enron seeking to unload Azurix. Recently closed its European offices and initiated third round of layoffs. Azurix owns Wessex Water (UK) and Philips Utilities Management, an O&M contractor. Expanded web-based marketing on its Water2Water.com site to offer water treatment equipment, services and chemicals in addition to its established purpose of trading water and water rights. American States Water Company (www.aswater.com) - Reportedly on the auction block. Recently agreed to acquire Chaparral City Water Company in Arizona for $31.2 million. Parent of Southern California Water Company, O&M service provider American States Utility Services, and a power company. American Water Works Company (www.amwater.com) - Recently formed American Water Services Inc. after paying $30 million to buy out Anglian Water's shares of O&M contractor American-Anglian. Undertook $2 billion in acquisitions last year. Primary focus is ownership of utilities, including San Jose Water Corp., Citizens Utilities, National Enterprises Inc., and several former United Water utilities. California Water Service Group (www.calwater.com) - Parent of Cal Water, Washington Water Service Co., and CWS Utility Services, its O&M division. The company also sells electricity. Approval from the California PUC for the $63.5 million purchase of neighboring water utility Dominquez Services Corp., expected in early April, was postponed until later in the second quarter. Indianapolis Water Company (www.iwcr.com) - Provides water to the City of Indianapolis. Parent company NiSource also owns electric and natural gas utilities. Seeking O&M contracts. Kelda Group (UK) (www.keldagroup.com) - Bought Aquarion Company (www.aquarion.com), the parent of BHC and Aquarion Management Services, its O&M division. Philadelphia Suburban Corp. (www.suburbanwater.com) - The third largest investor-owned drinking water company in U.S., Philadelphia Suburban is in the midst of an aggressive acquisition spree, focusing mainly on small systems. Recently agreed to purchase its first wastewater company. Acquired Consumers Water last year. Vivendi (FR) owns 18% of Philadelphia Suburban. Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux (FR) (FR) (www.suez-lyonnaise-eaux.com) - Announced it will acquire all remaining common shares of United Water (www.unitedwater.com), the second largest owner and operator in U.S, and an aggressive competitor of O&M contracts (the transaction values all issued common shares at $1.36 billion). Recently merged all water activities (Lyonnaise des Eaux, Nalco and Degremont). Thames Water (UK) (www.thames-water.com) - The largest owner and operator in the UK, Thames is acquiring New Jersey-based E'Town Corp. (www.etownwater.com) which owns Elizabethtown Water Co. and Mt. Holly Water Co. Signed strategic alliance with Operations Management International, Inc. (OMI) to pursue O&M business in the U.S. and Canada. Vivendi Water (FR) (www.vivendi.com) - Announced major alliance with Vodafone (UK) to focus on telecommunications. Likely to spin off water division this year, analysts predict. Is the parent of O&M contractor U.S. Filter (www.usfilter.com) and Culligan (home filters and bottled water). Owns 18 percent of Philadelphia Suburban. U.S. Filter absorbed Professional Service Group (PSG) in 1999 and is the leading producer of water treatment equipment. Vivendi recently spun off Massachusetts-based environmental engineering consulting firm Metcalf & Eddy, which was once a part of Aqua Alliance along with PSG.
Tidbit