The Water & Carbon Group
The Water & Carbon Group is a Brisbane-based wastewater treatment technology developer specializing in PFAS remediation via its patented LEEF System® foam fractionation technology, alongside biological, membrane, and natural capital solutions. It serves landfill operators, municipal water utilities, and industrial clients across Australia and the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersBrisbane, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Water & Carbon Group does
The Water & Carbon Group (WCG) is a Brisbane-based wastewater treatment technology developer and integrator founded in 2007. The company designs, builds, and operates bespoke treatment solutions for landfill leachate, municipal wastewater, industrial effluent, and contaminated water, serving landfill operators, municipal water utilities, and industrial clients in Australia and the United States. WCG organizes its offerings around four pillars: the patented LEEF System® (Low Energy Evaporative Fractionation) for PFAS remediation, biological solutions (Sequencing Batch Reactors, Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors, trickling filters, anaerobic digestion), media and membrane filtration (including exclusive Australian distribution of Brentwood trickling filter media and BESE-elements), and natural capital solutions for carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration.
The company's flagship technology is the LEEF System®, which uses controlled foam fractionation to remove up to 99% of PFAS contaminants from raw landfill leachate without pre-treatment, chemicals, or high energy consumption. WCG has commissioned world-first fixed-plant PFAS treatment installations at Shoal Bay (Darwin, AU, $13.2M, 50+ ML/year capacity, operational since October 2022), Bethlehem Landfill (Pennsylvania, US, $2M, operational since July 2024), and Seneca Meadows (New York, US, 300,000 gallons/day, 2025). The company has delivered an estimated AU$226M+ in co-benefits since inception, including 15,495 megalitres of water reused, 165,044 tonnes CO2e sequestered, 667 hectares of biodiversity created, and 21,029 MWh of energy avoided.
WCG generates revenue through three streams: design-build-operate contracts (project-based fees plus long-term operational contracts, with major projects ranging $2M–$13.2M), technology licensing and channel partnerships (notably with US firm Leachate Management Specialists for North American LEEF System® deployment), and product sales (trickling filter media via wholly-owned subsidiary Trickling Filters Australia, plus BESE-elements). The company operates an enterprise field sales motion targeting large landfill operators, municipal governments, and industrial clients through direct engagement, with channel partners supporting US market penetration. A $10M Series A funding round led by Emerald Technology Ventures in October 2024 (with participation from Ecolab and Dragonfly Enviro Capital) is funding global expansion of the LEEF System® technology.
The Water & Carbon Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Water & Carbon Group
- Legal name
- The Water & Carbon Group Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://waterandcarbon.com.au/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Water & Carbon Group is a Brisbane-based wastewater treatment technology developer specializing in PFAS remediation via its patented LEEF System® foam fractionation technology, alongside biological, membrane, and natural capital solutions. It serves landfill operators, municipal water utilities, and industrial clients across Australia and the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Water & Carbon Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wastewater Treatment Services
- NAICS
- Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562211), Waste Treatment and Disposal (5622), Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629)
- SIC
- Hazardous Waste Management (4955), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- PFAS & Emerging Contaminants Removal (AFFF/Trace Organics) (EUANADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Wastewater Treatment Chemicals (IMAEAJAC), Municipal Wastewater & Sewage Treatment Chemicals (IMAEAJAB), Water Treatment & Process Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAN), PFAS & Emerging Contaminants Waste Management (Handling, Treatment, Disposal) (EUAIAFAL)
Keywords
Where The Water & Carbon Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brisbane
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Water & Carbon Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Design, Build & Operate Contracts: Project-based revenue from designing, constructing, and operating bespoke wastewater treatment systems for clients. Includes long-term operational contracts with municipalities and landfill operators.
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary LEEF System technology for PFAS treatment to landfill operators and waste management companies, particularly in North America through partnership with Leachate Management Specialists.
- Product Sales: Sales of trickling filter media (through Trickling Filters Australia subsidiary), BESE-elements, and other treatment components and consumables.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | US Market Expansion - LEEF System Deployment |
| Other | — | Shoal Bay Leachate Treatment Plant - Darwin |
| Other | — | Bethlehem Landfill PFAS Treatment Plant |
| Other | — | Seneca Meadows PFAS Treatment System |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Water & Carbon Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Water & Carbon Group designs, builds, and operates wastewater treatment and ecological infrastructure solutions for landfill leachate, municipal wastewater, contaminated water, and industrial wastewater. Its core proprietary offering is the LEEF System, a patented foam fractionation technology for PFAS remediation, complemented by biological treatment solutions (SBR, MBBR, trickling filters, anaerobic digestion), media and membrane filtration products, and natural capital/carbon sequestration services.
Product overview
The Water & Carbon Group is a wastewater treatment technology developer and integrator offering a portfolio of proprietary and partner products. Their core product is the LEEF System® (Low Energy Foam Fractionation) for PFAS treatment, which forms the centerpiece of their offerings. This is complemented by Biological Solutions (SBR, MBBR, Trickling Filters, Anaerobic Digestion), Media & Membrane Solutions (trickling filter media, BESE-elements), and Natural Capital Solutions (environmental plantings, carbon sequestration). The company provides end-to-end services including design, build, and operations for landfill leachate, municipal wastewater, contaminated water, and industrial wastewater treatment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LEEF System®: Proprietary PFAS treatment technology using Low Energy Evaporative Fractionation foam fractionation process to remove PFAS contaminants from landfill leachate and wastewater.
Products and services
- LEEF System (Low Energy Evaporative Fractionation)
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% PFAS removal from landfill leachate to non-detect levels below US EPA drinking water limits
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use The Water & Carbon Group
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Water & Carbon Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Water & Carbon Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Seneca Meadows Inc. (Waste Connections)corePartnership to design, build and operate New York state's first fixed-plant PFAS leachate treatment system. The 300,000 gallon per day facility uses WCG's patented LEEF technology.
- CEPA & Kyeema Foundation (PNG)minorTrial partnership with Papua New Guinea's Conservation and Environment Protection Agency and Kyeema Foundation for mangrove restoration using BESE-elements at Gwarumemase village.
- BESE-productsminorExclusive Australian distribution rights for BESE-elements biodegradable 3D matrix products made from potato chip waste for ecosystem restoration applications including mangrove rehabilitation.
- City of DarwinflagshipAU$13.2 million contract to design, construct and operate world's first PFAS and leachate treatment plant at Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. Treats 50+ megalitres of leachate annually using integrated LEEF System and biological/ecological solutions.
- Leachate Management Specialists (LMS)coreUS firm partnering with WCG to introduce LEEF System technology to the North American landfill leachate market. LMS serves as the primary channel partner for US deployment, having showcased the technology across seven US states.
- Bethlehem Landfill Company (Waste Connections)flagshipFirst US operational deployment of fixed-plant LEEF System for PFAS removal from raw leachate. Bethlehem Landfill is a subsidiary of Waste Connections and serves clients in Pennsylvania.
- Brentwood (ENEXIO 2H)minorGlobal supplier partnership for trickling filter media. Through subsidiary Trickling Filters Australia, WCG has exclusive rights to distribution of Brentwood BIOdek cross-fluted and vertical flow media in Australia.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Water & Carbon Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Evoqua Water Technologies (Xylem): Evoqua, now part of Xylem, is a major US water treatment technology and services provider offering PFAS treatment, biological treatment, and filtration. Compares to WCG across the wastewater treatment portfolio, particularly landfill leachate and industrial wastewater.
- Veolia Water Technologies: Veolia is a global water and wastewater treatment major with PFAS removal offerings (including Actiflo, AnoxKaldnes MBBR, and PFAS treatment solutions) used by municipal and industrial customers. Compares as a broad incumbent competing for the same landfill and municipal tenders.
- SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions: SUEZ provides water treatment chemicals, filtration media, and PFAS solutions to municipal and industrial clients. Competes with WCG in landfill leachate and industrial wastewater treatment using media and membrane technologies.
- Clean Harbors: Clean Harbors is the largest US hazardous waste services company offering PFAS treatment, disposal, and emergency response. Compares as a broad incumbent in PFAS and hazardous waste management serving the same landfill and industrial customer base.
Direct peers
- Regenesis: Regenesis provides innovative in-situ remediation and PFAS treatment technologies for contaminated sites including landfills. Closely comparable as a specialized cleantech with proprietary remediation IP addressing PFAS at complex sites.
- Organica Water: Organica Water provides biological wastewater treatment solutions including FCR-MABR and IFAS systems to municipal and industrial clients globally. Comparable as a specialty biological treatment technology developer competing on cost-effective, low-energy treatment.
- Fluence Corporation: Fluence builds decentralized packaged wastewater treatment plants using MABR and biological technologies for municipal, industrial and reuse applications. Compares as a design-build-operate contractor focused on modular and nature-based treatment.
Emerging players
- Cyclopure: Cyclopure develops novel PFAS-removal adsorbent materials (DEXS) for water treatment and industrial applications. Emerging player with overlapping PFAS removal value proposition targeting similar end-users including landfill leachate.
- Anaergia: Anaergia provides anaerobic digestion, biogas, and resource recovery solutions to municipal solid waste and industrial customers. Overlaps with WCG's anaerobic digestion capability and landfill-adjacent waste-to-value positioning.
- Purafy Clean Water Solutions: Purafy develops PFAS-targeted sorbent technologies for landfill leachate and industrial wastewater. Emerging player addressing the same niche PFAS removal challenge with a different technical approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Water & Carbon Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Water & Carbon Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Water & Carbon Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
The Water & Carbon Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Water & Carbon Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Water & Carbon Group 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 The Water & Carbon Group
What does The Water & Carbon Group do?
The Water & Carbon Group designs, builds, and operates wastewater treatment and ecological infrastructure solutions for landfill leachate, municipal wastewater, contaminated water, and industrial wastewater. Its core proprietary offering is the LEEF System, a patented foam fractionation technology for PFAS remediation, complemented by biological treatment solutions (SBR, MBBR, trickling filters, anaerobic digestion), media and membrane filtration products, and natural capital/carbon sequestration services.
Is The Water & Carbon Group a public or private company?
The Water & Carbon Group is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was The Water & Carbon Group founded?
The Water & Carbon Group was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Water & Carbon Group based?
The Water & Carbon Group is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does The Water & Carbon Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Design, Build & Operate Contracts are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing and product Sales.
Who are The Water & Carbon Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Evoqua Water Technologies (Xylem), Veolia Water Technologies, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions and Clean Harbors. Direct peers are Regenesis, Organica Water and Fluence Corporation. Emerging players are Cyclopure, Anaergia and Purafy Clean Water Solutions.
Does The Water & Carbon Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Water & Carbon Group.
What industry is The Water & Carbon Group in?
The Water & Carbon Group's product category is Wastewater Treatment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANADAJ, PFAS & Emerging Contaminants Removal (AFFF/Trace Organics), with a secondary code of IMAEAJAC, Industrial Wastewater Treatment Chemicals. Its NAICS code is 562211 and its SIC code is 4955.