Poseidon Water
Poseidon Water develops, finances, owns, and operates large-scale seawater desalination plants via public-private partnerships, serving municipal water authorities under 30-year Water Purchase Agreements. Its operational Carlsbad plant supplies 10% of San Diego County's water; a second 50 MGD plant is in development for Orange County.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersStamford, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Poseidon Water does
Poseidon Water is a private water infrastructure development company that designs, finances, owns, and operates large-scale seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants delivered through public-private partnerships (P3s). Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Carlsbad, California, the company is a subsidiary of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE: BIP), the infrastructure arm of Brookfield Asset Management. Poseidon's core asset is the Claude 'Bud' Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, a 50 MGD facility in commercial operation since December 2015 that serves approximately 400,000 people and supplies about 10% of San Diego County's water. The company is developing a second 50 MGD plant in Huntington Beach, California, in partnership with the Orange County Water District, and is pursuing expansion opportunities in Texas and Florida.
Poseidon's technology stack centers on seawater reverse osmosis enhanced by 144 energy recovery devices that save an estimated 146 million kWh annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 42,000 metric tons per year. The company has pioneered California-specific environmental compliance frameworks, including a Marine Life Protection Plan with 1mm intake screens, 66 acres of coastal wetlands restoration, and a first-of-its-kind Energy Minimization & GHG Reduction Plan that fully offsets the plant's electricity-related emissions. Construction and operations are delivered through project-specific partnerships: IDE Technologies provides process design and 30-year operations support, Kiewit Shea Desalination JV provides EPC services, and the project was originally financed by Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners alongside $734M in tax-exempt bonds.
The business model is built on long-dated, take-or-pay-style Water Purchase Agreements (WPAs) with municipal water authorities. Carlsbad's entire offtake is committed to the San Diego County Water Authority under a 30-year WPA at 48,000-56,000 acre-feet per year, with water produced at approximately $0.005/gallon and distributed via a 10-mile pipeline into a regional system serving 3.3 million residents. Revenue is therefore concentrated, utility-like, and highly predictable over the contract horizon, but exposed to political, regulatory, and ratepayer dynamics in each host county. Poseidon also offers water infrastructure development, project finance structuring, long-term O&M services, and environmental mitigation as a service portfolio around its core asset base.
Poseidon Water firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Poseidon Water
- Legal name
- Poseidon Water LLC
- Website
- https://poseidonwater.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Poseidon Water develops, finances, owns, and operates large-scale seawater desalination plants via public-private partnerships, serving municipal water authorities under 30-year Water Purchase Agreements. Its operational Carlsbad plant supplies 10% of San Diego County's water; a second 50 MGD plant is in development for Orange County.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Poseidon Water industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Desalination Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Plants & Operations (EUANAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Desalination Energy Systems (Energy Recovery Devices, Power Integration, Renewables) (EUANAFAI), Desalination Plant Construction (IMAFAGAG), Water Treatment Plant Construction (Drinking Water) (IMAFAGAA)
Keywords
Where Poseidon Water is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stamford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Poseidon Water business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Water Purchase Agreement Revenue: Poseidon Water generates revenue through 30-year Water Purchase Agreements with public water authorities. Under these agreements, water agencies pay only for delivered product that meets stringent quality standards. The San Diego County Water Authority agreed to purchase between 48,000 acre-feet and 56,000 acre-feet of water from the Carlsbad plant each year. This provides predictable, long-term recurring revenue.
- Public-Private Partnership Infrastructure Development: Poseidon develops, finances, owns and operates water infrastructure projects through innovative public-private partnerships where private enterprise assumes developmental and financial risks. Revenue is generated from the construction and long-term operation of desalination facilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Municipal water supply pricing under 30-year Water Purchase Agreement |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Poseidon Water product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Poseidon Water develops, finances, owns, and operates large-scale seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants through innovative public-private partnerships with government water authorities. The company's flagship Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant in San Diego County produces 50 million gallons of drinking water per day under a 30-year Water Purchase Agreement, while a second 50 MGD facility is in permitting for Huntington Beach, California.
Product overview
Poseidon Water operates as a water infrastructure development company specializing in large-scale seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants delivered through public-private partnerships. The company's core portfolio consists of two major desalination facilities: the operational Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant (50 MGD, operational since 2015), which is the largest seawater desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere, and the proposed Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Plant (50 MGD, in permitting stage) for Orange County. Supporting these facilities, Poseidon offers water infrastructure development and financing services, long-term operations and maintenance contracts, and environmental mitigation services including wetlands restoration. The company leverages reverse osmosis technology with energy recovery systems to produce drought-proof drinking water for municipal supply.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant The largest seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere, producing 50 million gallons of drought-proof drinking water per day for San Diego County. Operational since December 2015, serving approximately 400,000 people (10% of regional demand). Uses 144 energy recovery devices and operates under a 30-year Water Purchase Agreement with the San Diego County Water Authority.
- Water Infrastructure Development and Financing Services Poseidon Water develops and finances water infrastructure projects through innovative public-private partnerships where private enterprise assumes developmental and financial risks. The company provides state-of-the-art technology, management expertise, and innovative financing solutions for clean water supply, wastewater treatment, and water recycling projects serving public agencies and industrial clients.
- Desalination Operations and Maintenance Services Long-term operations and maintenance services for desalination facilities, currently delivered through IDE Technologies under 30-year contracts. Services include facility monitoring, water quality testing, environmental compliance, and ongoing plant optimization.
- Wetlands Restoration and Environmental Mitigation Services Environmental stewardship and mitigation services including coastal wetlands restoration. Poseidon is developing 66 acres of new coastal wetlands in the South San Diego Bay Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge as part of marine life mitigation requirements for its desalination projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Produces 50 million gallons of drinking water per day - enough for approximately 400,000 people
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Poseidon Water
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Poseidon Water technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Poseidon Water partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered supportive, core and strategic.
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)supportiveTexas legislation (SB 1430) provides TCEQ authority to expedite permit amendments for water rights holders who diversify to include seawater desalination, supporting Poseidon's Texas market development.
- San Diego County Water Authoritycore30-year Water Purchase Agreement partner for Carlsbad Desalination Project. The Water Authority purchases 48,000-56,000 acre-feet of desalinated water annually. Public partner in the P3 arrangement where private enterprise assumes developmental and financial risks.
- IDE Technologies / IDE Americas Inc.coreIDE Technologies designs the seawater process plant and operates the Carlsbad facility under a 30-year contract. IDE has designed, built and currently operates some of the world's largest desalination and water-treatment facilities, with about 400 systems operating in 40 countries.
- Kiewit Shea Desalination (Joint Venture)coreJoint venture between Kiewit Corp. and J.F. Shea Construction Inc. provides engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for desalination plant and pipeline under fixed-price contract.
- NRG EnergysupportiveSite host for Carlsbad Desalination Plant located adjacent to NRG Energy's Encina Power Station on Agua Hedionda Lagoon, utilizing existing seawater intake and discharge infrastructure.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)strategicPoseidon collaborates with LBNL to research and develop new water technologies. Poseidon provides access to Carlsbad and Huntington Beach facilities and operating data for R&D. LBNL leads the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI) team selected for $100M DOE Energy-Water Desalination Hub.
- Orange County Water DistrictcoreIn 2015, OCWD Board approved Water Reliability Agreement term sheet to purchase up to 50 MGD (56,000 acre-feet annually) from proposed Huntington Beach Desalination Project. OCWD manages groundwater basin serving 2.4 million customers.
- Protec ArisawasupportiveSelected by IDE to provide membrane pressure vessels for Carlsbad Desalination Project. Global leader in FRP pressure vessels for membrane filtration systems.
- Dow Water & Process SolutionssupportiveSelected by IDE to provide reverse osmosis membrane technology for Carlsbad Desalination Project. Membranes separate salt and impurities from water molecules.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Poseidon Water competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC): Saudi state-owned entity operating the world's largest desalination capacity. Not a direct competitor in the U.S. market but the global benchmark for large-scale SWRO operations and a useful comparable for cost and scale dynamics.
Direct peers
- IDE Technologies: Israel-based global designer, builder, and operator of large-scale seawater desalination plants (~400 systems in 40 countries). IDE is Poseidon's Carlsbad EPC and operating partner but also independently develops and operates its own SWRO plants globally, making it the most directly comparable peer.
- Sidem (Veolia Water Technologies): Subsidiary of Veolia that designs and builds large seawater desalination plants worldwide. Directly competes with Poseidon for global SWRO project development opportunities and shares a similar EPC + long-term operating model.
- Doosan Enpure: Korean EPC and process technology provider specializing in seawater desalination and water reuse plants globally. Builds large-scale SWRO facilities under long-term contract structures comparable to Poseidon's Carlsbad model.
- Cadagua: Ferrovial-owned water infrastructure company focused on desalination and wastewater treatment plant design, construction, and operation. Pursues large-scale municipal projects under P3 structures analogous to Poseidon's model.
- Acciona Agua: Spanish water infrastructure division of Acciona that develops, builds, and operates large-scale desalination plants globally under P3 structures, including the world's largest SWRO facilities. Directly comparable business model to Poseidon's project development and long-term O&M approach.
- Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. NASDAQ-listed developer and operator of seawater desalination plants, primarily in the Caribbean. Smaller scale than Poseidon but the closest U.S.-listed pure-play SWRO developer and operator with a comparable business model.
Broad incumbents
- Xylem Inc. Global water technology equipment supplier providing pumps, filtration, and treatment systems used across desalination plants. Not a direct SWRO project developer but a key technology supplier and adjacent infrastructure participant in the same value chain.
- Suez Water Technologies & Solutions: Global water services giant offering desalination, treatment, and digital water solutions. Broader portfolio than Poseidon but operates and finances large municipal water infrastructure projects with overlapping customer base.
- Abengoa: Spanish infrastructure conglomerate with historical involvement in large-scale desalination and water EPC projects. Wider portfolio than Poseidon but operates in the same SWRO construction and P3 infrastructure space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Poseidon Water social profiles
Digital presencePoseidon Water compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Poseidon Water financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Poseidon Water leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Poseidon Water subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Poseidon Water funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Poseidon Water 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 Poseidon Water
What does Poseidon Water do?
Poseidon Water develops, finances, owns, and operates large-scale seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants through innovative public-private partnerships with government water authorities. The company's flagship Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant in San Diego County produces 50 million gallons of drinking water per day under a 30-year Water Purchase Agreement, while a second 50 MGD facility is in permitting for Huntington Beach, California.
Is Poseidon Water a public or private company?
Poseidon Water is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Poseidon Water founded?
Poseidon Water was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Poseidon Water based?
Poseidon Water is headquartered in Stamford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Poseidon Water make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Water Purchase Agreement Revenue is the primary driver. The others are public-Private Partnership Infrastructure Development.
Who are Poseidon Water's main competitors?
Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are IDE Technologies, Sidem (Veolia Water Technologies), Doosan Enpure, Cadagua, Acciona Agua and Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.. Broad incumbents are Xylem Inc., Suez Water Technologies & Solutions and Abengoa.
Does Poseidon Water have an API?
No public API is recorded for Poseidon Water.
What industry is Poseidon Water in?
Poseidon Water's product category is Water Desalination Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANAFAA, Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Plants & Operations, with a secondary code of EUANAFAI, Desalination Energy Systems (Energy Recovery Devices, Power Integration, Renewables). Its NAICS code is 22131 and its SIC code is 4941.