Global Water Resources
Global Water Resources is a publicly traded Arizona water utility (NASDAQ: GWRS) operating 39 water, wastewater, and recycled water systems serving 65,639 active connections across Phoenix and Tucson growth corridors, using its Total Water Management platform and AMI smart meter infrastructure to deliver regulated utility services under ACC-approved rates.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Global Water Resources does
Global Water Resources, Inc. is a publicly traded water resource management company (NASDAQ: GWRS, formerly TSX: GWR Global Water Resources Corp) headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, that provides regulated water, wastewater, and recycled water utility services to residential, commercial, irrigation, and municipal customers across growth corridors in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson. Founded in October 2004, the company operates 39 water, wastewater, and recycled water systems serving 65,639 active connections as of Q4 2025, with approximately 120 employees and revenue of $55.8 million in FY2025 (up 5.8% from $52.7 million in 2024).
The company's core operating platform is its Total Water Management (TWM) approach, an integrated methodology for managing the full water cycle within the same geographic service areas. Technical infrastructure includes Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) deployed for 15+ years with smart meters and sensor networks that read customer meters continuously and enable real-time leak detection; a separate purple pipe distribution system delivering Class A+ recycled water for irrigation, parks, school grounds, and ballfields; and a six-tier conservation rate design that prices higher consumption at higher tiers to incentivize reduced water use. The Maricopa Water Reclamation Facility processes approximately 4 million gallons of wastewater daily, and the company has recycled 18.5 billion gallons of water in total.
Global Water Resources generates revenue through regulated service fees approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission, with income driven by customer base growth (organic connections averaging 7.7% annually over 5 years vs 1.5% for publicly traded water utility peers), consumption volumes, and rate adjustments recovered via rate cases. Growth levers include organic connection additions in Maricopa, Pinal County, Sahuarita, Green Valley, and other Arizona communities; acquisitions of fragmented water and wastewater utilities (12 utilities acquired over the past six years, adding ~7,700 connections and $4.4 million of revenue); rate case filings to recover capital investments; and new service area development via Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) certifications and Arizona's Ag-to-Urban program. The company has raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years, currently at $0.30396 per share annually, and invested $67.3 million in infrastructure during 2025 with $200 million expected over the next five years.
Global Water Resources firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Global Water Resources
- Legal name
- Global Water Resources, Inc.
- Website
- https://gwresources.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Global Water Resources is a publicly traded Arizona water utility (NASDAQ: GWRS) operating 39 water, wastewater, and recycled water systems serving 65,639 active connections across Phoenix and Tucson growth corridors, using its Total Water Management platform and AMI smart meter infrastructure to deliver regulated utility services under ACC-approved rates.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Global Water Resources industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Utility Services
- NAICS
- Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Non‑Potable Reuse Utilities (Irrigation, Industrial, Cooling) (EUANAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Advanced Treatment & Purification Utilities (MF/UF, RO, AOP, UV) (EUANAGAD), Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Asset Management (EUAEAMAH)
Keywords
Where Global Water Resources is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Global Water Resources business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Regulated Water Utility Services: Revenue is generated through regulated service fees from providing water, wastewater, and recycled water services. Income is driven by customer base growth (organic connections), consumption volumes, and rate adjustments approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). The company files rate cases to recover capital investments and operating expenses with a reasonable return on infrastructure investments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Six-tier conservation-based rate structure |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Global Water Resources product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Global Water Resources, Inc. is a publicly traded water resource management company that provides regulated water, wastewater, and recycled water utility services to customers across growth corridors around metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. The company operates 39 water, wastewater, and recycled water systems serving approximately 65,639 active connections through its Total Water Management (TWM) approach, which integrates water supply, wastewater treatment, and recycled water distribution within the same geographic areas to conserve groundwater and support sustainable growth.
Product overview
Global Water Resources is a water resource management company operating 39 water, wastewater, and recycled water systems (as of 2026) primarily in growth corridors around metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. The company's core offering is its Total Water Management (TWM) platform, which integrates water supply, wastewater treatment, and recycled water distribution within the same geographic areas. Key service brands include GW-Santa Cruz Water Company and GW-Palo Verde Utilities Company. The company supports its utilities with advanced metering infrastructure, a customer self-service portal, and a six-tier conservation rate design program. The company recycles over 1 billion gallons of water annually and serves approximately 65,639 active connections as of Q4 2025.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water Utility Services Provides drinking water treatment, storage, and distribution services to residential, commercial, and municipal customers across Arizona communities in growth corridors around metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson.
- Wastewater Services Collects and treats wastewater from homes and businesses, processing approximately 4 million gallons daily at the Maricopa Water Reclamation Facility for safe return or reuse.
- Recycled Water Services Treats wastewater to Class A+ standards for reuse in irrigation, landscaping, and other non-potable applications, delivered through a separate purple pipe distribution system.
- Total Water Management (TWM) Comprehensive integrated water management platform that combines water supply, wastewater treatment, and recycled water distribution within the same geographic areas to maximize water reuse, minimize potable water consumption, and reduce demand on scarce non-renewable aquifers.
- Customer Self-Service Portal Online platform enabling customers to access billing information, pay bills, start or stop service, request payment arrangements, report leaks, view hourly/daily water usage data, and access water conservation tips.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced freshwater use by over 30% through recycled water systems
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Global Water Resources
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Global Water Resources technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Global Water Resources partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- GarneyminorContractor for infrastructure projects including the $2.2 million lift station upgrade at the Water Reclamation Facility in Maricopa. Worked with Capital Pump on the project.
- Capital PumpminorContractor for infrastructure projects including lift station work at Water Reclamation Facility. Worked with Garney on the $2.2 million upgrade project.
- Arizona Corporation CommissioncoreRegulatory body that sets rates and monitors service quality for investor-owned water companies in Arizona. The company files rate cases with the ACC and operates under ACC-approved tariffs.
- Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO)minorIndependent agency representing customer interests in rate cases. Participated in settlement negotiations for GW-Santa Cruz and GW-Palo Verde rate cases.
- Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR)coreState agency managing Arizona's water resources. The company files Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) applications with ADWR to expand water supply capacity. ADWR administers the Ag-to-Urban program for converting agricultural water rights to municipal use.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Global Water Resources competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pure Cycle Corporation: Small water and wastewater utility serving growth corridors in Colorado with a focus on water scarcity solutions and developer services. Similar size, growth-oriented model, and exposure to rapidly growing Western U.S. markets make it highly comparable to Global Water Resources.
- Artesian Resources Corporation: Small-cap regulated water utility serving Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Similar business model as a regulated investor-owned water utility with wastewater services, comparable scale and rate-base growth strategy.
- York Water Company: Oldest investor-owned water utility in the United States, serving Pennsylvania with regulated water and wastewater services. Comparable small-cap regulated utility profile with similar dividend-paying, conservative growth characteristics.
- Middlesex Water Company: Small-cap regulated water and wastewater utility serving New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Similar business model, scale, and regulated utility economics as Global Water Resources.
Broad incumbents
- SJW Group: Mid-cap water utility holding company serving California, Texas, Connecticut, and Maine. Similar regulated water and wastewater utility model with broader geographic diversification and larger scale than Global Water Resources.
- California Water Service Group: Largest investor-owned California water utility with regulated water and wastewater services. Comparable regulated utility model serving growth markets, though at significantly larger scale and focused on California.
- American States Water Company: California-based water and wastewater utility serving military installations and communities. Similar regulated utility economics and recurring revenue model, though more diversified across contract services.
- Essential Utilities: Large-cap water and natural gas utility serving Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, and other states. Operates regulated water/wastewater services similar to Global Water, though at much larger scale and with diversified geographic footprint.
Regional players
- EPCOR Utilities: Canadian-based water and wastewater utility with operations in Arizona (including Tucson and other Arizona communities). Comparable focus on Arizona water utility market and recycled water services, making it a direct regional competitor.
Emerging players
- H2O Innovation: Water treatment technology company providing membrane filtration, recycled water systems, and water reuse solutions. Comparable focus on water reuse and recycling technology, though operates as a solutions provider rather than utility operator.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Global Water Resources social profiles
Digital presenceGlobal Water Resources compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Global Water Resources financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Global Water Resources leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Global Water Resources subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
Global Water Resources funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Global Water Resources M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Global Water Resources
What does Global Water Resources do?
Global Water Resources, Inc. is a publicly traded water resource management company that provides regulated water, wastewater, and recycled water utility services to customers across growth corridors around metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. The company operates 39 water, wastewater, and recycled water systems serving approximately 65,639 active connections through its Total Water Management (TWM) approach, which integrates water supply, wastewater treatment, and recycled water distribution within the same geographic areas to conserve groundwater and support sustainable growth.
Is Global Water Resources a public or private company?
Global Water Resources is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Global Water Resources founded?
Global Water Resources was founded in 2004. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Global Water Resources based?
Global Water Resources is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does Global Water Resources make money?
One revenue line is on record: regulated Water Utility Services.
Who are Global Water Resources's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pure Cycle Corporation, Artesian Resources Corporation, York Water Company and Middlesex Water Company. Broad incumbents are SJW Group, California Water Service Group, American States Water Company and Essential Utilities. EPCOR Utilities is listed as a regional player. H2O Innovation is listed as an emerging player.
Does Global Water Resources have an API?
No public API is recorded for Global Water Resources.
What industry is Global Water Resources in?
Global Water Resources's product category is Water Utility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANAGAA, Non‑Potable Reuse Utilities (Irrigation, Industrial, Cooling), with a secondary code of EUANAGAD, Advanced Treatment & Purification Utilities (MF/UF, RO, AOP, UV). Its NAICS code is 2213 and its SIC code is 4941.