Aqualia
Aqualia is a Madrid-based water management company and subsidiary of Grupo FCC, serving approximately 45 million inhabitants across 19 countries. It provides integrated water cycle services—drinking water production, wastewater treatment, and desalination—primarily under long-term municipal concessions and direct government contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Aqualia does
Aqualia is a Madrid-headquartered water management company operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Grupo FCC (FCC Group). Founded as the FCC water brand in 2001, Aqualia delivers integrated water cycle services to municipal and industrial clients across 19 countries, serving approximately 45 million inhabitants and managing 91,748 km of water networks. Its core service portfolio encompasses drinking water production and distribution (1,156 hm³ produced annually), wastewater collection and treatment, and seawater desalination for water-scarce regions. The company supports industrial clients facing drought and aging infrastructure pressures, including municipalities and industries in Texas, USA.
Aqualia's technology stack combines physical water infrastructure with a growing suite of digital platforms. Proprietary digital systems include PERTE del Agua (digital water management transformation), Cantabricontrol (network control system), Real Water (water quality monitoring), and Vigwater (infrastructure surveillance). The company operates 24 accredited laboratories and applies specialized engineering capabilities including anti-seismic water infrastructure design (deployed in Japan) and hybrid energy systems. Aqualia also participates in the EU-funded SEA4VALUE research consortium developing brine mineral recovery from desalination, signaling R&D engagement in circular-water technologies.
The business model is anchored in long-term municipal concessions and direct government contracts, typically structured as managed services with regulated utility pricing under multi-year agreements. Geographic expansion is executed through consortium arrangements with strategic partners such as Infroneer Holdings (Japan) and ACCIONA (Ibiza desalination). Revenue is diversified across municipal governments in 19 countries, with emerging industrial water service contracts and desalination project wins (e.g., USD 15.27 million Ibiza contract). The parent FCC Group reported 2024 revenues of €9,071.4 million with the Water segment growing 12.6%, providing financial backing for continued capital-intensive infrastructure expansion. Aqualia maintains ISO 27001 and ENS certifications and achieved a CDP 'B' climate rating in its first year of independent disclosure.
Aqualia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aqualia
- Legal name
- FCC Aqualia
- Website
- https://aqualia.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Aqualia is a Madrid-based water management company and subsidiary of Grupo FCC, serving approximately 45 million inhabitants across 19 countries. It provides integrated water cycle services—drinking water production, wastewater treatment, and desalination—primarily under long-term municipal concessions and direct government contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aqualia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Utility Services
- NAICS
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Advanced Treatment & Purification Utilities (MF/UF, RO, AOP, UV) (EUANAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fresh Water Supply & Potable Water Delivery Coordination (TLAHAJAD)
Keywords
Where Aqualia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madrid
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aqualia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Water service concessions: Long-term municipal concessions for integrated water cycle management including potable water production, distribution, and sanitation services
- Desalination plant operation: Operating seawater desalination plants under consortium arrangements with government entities
- Industrial water services: Water treatment and supply services to industrial clients facing water scarcity challenges
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Municipal water and sanitation services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Aqualia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aqualia operates the full integrated water cycle for municipalities and industrial clients, including the production and distribution of drinking water (1,156 hm³ annually), collection and treatment of wastewater, and seawater desalination services. The company manages over 91,748 km of water networks, runs 24 accredited laboratories, and supplements its core utility operations with digital water management platforms such as PERTE del Agua, Cantabricontrol, Real Water, and Vigwater. Services are delivered through long-term municipal concessions and consortium partnerships in 19 countries, serving approximately 45 million inhabitants.
Product overview
Aqualia is a global water management company offering comprehensive services across the entire water cycle: drinking water production and distribution (1,156 hm³ annually serving 44.9 million people), wastewater treatment, and desalination. The company operates in 19 countries with 91,748 km of managed networks and 24 accredited laboratories. Aqualia provides both physical water services and digital solutions including PERTE del Agua (digital transformation), Cantabricontrol, Real Water, and Vigwater for network monitoring and optimization. The portfolio also includes the PESA 2024-2026 sustainability strategic plan with 43 objectives across 7 strategic lines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Drinking Water Production and Distribution (Agua Potable) Production and distribution of drinking water to municipal and industrial customers through managed water networks spanning 91,748 km across 19 countries.
- Wastewater Treatment (Saneamiento) Collection, treatment, and management of wastewater and sewage systems across operational regions, provided to municipal governments under concession contracts.
- Seawater Desalination (Desalación) Operation of seawater desalination plants using advanced treatment technologies, delivered under consortium arrangements with government entities and infrastructure partners in water-scarce regions.
- PERTE del Agua Digital Water Management Digital transformation platform that modernizes hydraulic management for municipal water systems, improving efficiency, reducing water losses, and supporting environmental objectives.
- Cantabricontrol Network Control System Digital control and monitoring system used to manage and optimize water infrastructure networks.
- Real Water Quality Monitoring Digital platform providing water quality monitoring and management for water treatment and distribution infrastructure.
- Vigwater Infrastructure Surveillance Digital monitoring platform for surveillance and control of water infrastructure assets.
- Industrial Water Supply Services Water treatment and supply services delivered to industrial clients in drought-prone regions to ensure operational continuity and water security.
Quantifiable outcome
- 44,985,072 population served
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aqualia
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Aqualia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Aqualia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Infroneer Holdings Co., Ltd.coreConsortium led by Infroneer Holdings for renovation and operation of the Toyohashi Water Treatment Plant in Japan, marking Aqualia's first project in the country. The project applies advanced water treatment technologies and resilience-driven design.
- ACCIONAcoreACCIONA-Aqualia consortium secured a USD 15.27 million contract for operating three desalination plants in Ibiza, Spain.
- SEA4VALUE project partnersminorEuropean research project developing multi-mineral modular process to recover raw materials from brine produced by seawater desalination, contributing to sustainable mineral supply and water quality improvement.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aqualia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Itron: Supplies smart water meters and network monitoring solutions to utilities globally. Comparable as a technology vendor in the digital water stack that Aqualia is developing internally.
Emerging players
- Befesa: European environmental services company focused on industrial waste and recycling, with adjacent exposure to water-related circular economy themes. A partial comparator in municipal environmental services.
Regional players
- American Water Works: Largest publicly traded US water and wastewater utility, focused on regulated US municipal concessions. Relevant peer as Aqualia expands into Texas, though geographic focus differs.
- United Utilities: UK water and wastewater utility operating regulated concessions in the North West of England. Similar concession-driven, regulated revenue model and integrated water cycle operations.
- Severn Trent: UK-listed water and wastewater services company operating regulated municipal concessions in the United Kingdom. Comparable concession business model and integrated water cycle service offering.
Direct peers
- Veolia Environnement: Largest global water and wastewater services operator with municipal concessions across multiple continents. Directly competes with Aqualia for long-term integrated water cycle contracts in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
- Acciona (Water Division): Operates a large water services and desalination business and is already an Aqualia consortium partner on the Ibiza desalination project. Comparable in scope of municipal and industrial water services, particularly in Iberia and Latin America.
- Suez SA: Global water and waste management operator with a comparable municipal concession business, including water treatment, distribution, and desalination. Overlaps with Aqualia in Europe, the Middle East, and emerging markets.
Broad incumbents
- Xylem: Global water technology company providing equipment, pumps, and digital monitoring solutions to water utilities. Comparable on the digital water management side of Aqualia's offering (Cantabricontrol, Vigwater).
- FCC Group (parent): Diversified Spanish infrastructure conglomerate and Aqualia's parent. While not a water specialist, FCC's broader portfolio (Construction, Cement, Real Estate) provides context for capital allocation and segment-level growth dynamics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aqualia social profiles
Digital presenceAqualia compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Aqualia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aqualia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Aqualia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aqualia 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 Aqualia
What does Aqualia do?
Aqualia operates the full integrated water cycle for municipalities and industrial clients, including the production and distribution of drinking water (1,156 hm³ annually), collection and treatment of wastewater, and seawater desalination services. The company manages over 91,748 km of water networks, runs 24 accredited laboratories, and supplements its core utility operations with digital water management platforms such as PERTE del Agua, Cantabricontrol, Real Water, and Vigwater. Services are delivered through long-term municipal concessions and consortium partnerships in 19 countries, serving approximately 45 million inhabitants.
Is Aqualia a public or private company?
Aqualia is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Aqualia founded?
Aqualia was founded in 2001. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Aqualia based?
Aqualia is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Aqualia make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Water service concessions are the primary driver. The others are desalination plant operation and industrial water services.
Who are Aqualia's main competitors?
Itron is listed as an others. Befesa is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are American Water Works, United Utilities and Severn Trent. Direct peers are Veolia Environnement, Acciona (Water Division) and Suez SA. Broad incumbents are Xylem and FCC Group (parent).
Does Aqualia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aqualia.
What industry is Aqualia in?
Aqualia's product category is Water Utility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANAGAD, Advanced Treatment & Purification Utilities (MF/UF, RO, AOP, UV), with a secondary code of TLAHAJAD, Fresh Water Supply & Potable Water Delivery Coordination. Its NAICS code is 22131 and its SIC code is 4941.