AquaWorks DBO
AquaWorks DBO is a Denver-based civil and environmental engineering firm founded in 2004 that designs, builds, and operates modular decentralized water and wastewater treatment systems for small-volume industrial producers, municipalities, and rural communities. The company was acquired by Apex Companies in December 2025.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AquaWorks DBO does
AquaWorks DBO, Inc. is a Denver, Colorado-based civil and environmental engineering firm founded in 2004 that specializes in design-build-operate (DBO) services for decentralized water and wastewater treatment systems. The company delivers modular, pre-engineered treatment solutions engineered for onsite deployment, targeting small-volume industrial and commercial producers, municipalities, and rural or remote communities where centralized infrastructure is impractical or uneconomic. Its core technology platform centers on customizable, scalable modular treatment units designed to reduce infrastructure cost and provide flexible deployment in off-grid or low-density settings.
The firm's business model is structured around professional services revenue—principally engineering, design, implementation, and consulting—rather than product sales or recurring software/SaaS streams. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. AquaWorks serves three primary customer segments: small-volume producers (primary), municipalities, and rural/remote communities, with a vertical segmentation approach. No patents, trademarks, certifications, or formal awards are disclosed in available sources, though the firm is described in its own materials as "award-winning."
On December 16, 2025, AquaWorks DBO was acquired by Apex Companies, LLC, a national multidisciplinary engineering and consulting platform, with Raincatcher acting as exclusive sell-side advisor. The acquisition provides AquaWorks with the national distribution, capital, and operational resources to scale its modular wastewater treatment offering across a broader geographic footprint, while giving Apex a differentiated capability in small-scale and rural treatment. Pre-acquisition the firm operated with 1-10 employees and a regional Denver-based scope; post-acquisition it operates as a strategic subsidiary within Apex's national platform.
AquaWorks DBO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AquaWorks DBO
- Legal name
- AquaWorks DBO, Inc.
- Website
- https://aquaworksdbo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AquaWorks DBO is a Denver-based civil and environmental engineering firm founded in 2004 that designs, builds, and operates modular decentralized water and wastewater treatment systems for small-volume industrial producers, municipalities, and rural communities. The company was acquired by Apex Companies in December 2025.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AquaWorks DBO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering Services
- NAICS
- Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)
- SIC
- Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Sanitary Services (4950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Decentralized/Package Wastewater Systems (Small/Remote) (EUANADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems) (IMAHAEAJ)
Keywords
Where AquaWorks DBO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
AquaWorks DBO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Engineering Services: Civil and environmental engineering services including design, implementation, and consulting for decentralized water and wastewater treatment systems
AquaWorks DBO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AquaWorks DBO provides design, build, and operate (DBO) services for small-scale, decentralized water and wastewater treatment systems. The firm delivers modular, pre-engineered treatment solutions and civil/environmental engineering expertise to small-volume producers, municipalities, and rural/remote communities that lack access to centralized treatment infrastructure.
Product overview
AquaWorks DBO offers a single unified product category: decentralized water and wastewater treatment systems. These modular treatment solutions are designed specifically for small-volume producers, municipalities, and rural and remote communities. The company specializes in civil and environmental engineering services that enable decentralized (onsite) treatment rather than centralized municipal systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Decentralized Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems Pre-engineered modular treatment solutions designed for decentralized deployment, providing scalable water and wastewater treatment for small-volume industrial/commercial producers, municipalities, and rural/remote communities. The offering is delivered as a design, build, and operate (DBO) service.
Companies that use AquaWorks DBO
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AquaWorks DBO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
AquaWorks DBO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Apex Companies, LLCcoreAquaWorks DBO was acquired by Apex Companies, LLC on December 16, 2025. The acquisition expands Apex's capabilities in small-scale water and wastewater treatment solutions, particularly for rural and remote communities. The transaction positions AquaWorks to leverage Apex's national scale and resources to expand its modular treatment solutions across a broader geographic footprint.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
AquaWorks DBO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Carollo Engineers: One of the largest U.S. engineering firms focused exclusively on water and wastewater. Comparable to AquaWorks in serving municipal water clients with specialized engineering expertise, though at much greater scale.
- Orenco Systems: Manufacturer of decentralized wastewater treatment systems, particularly for small communities and residential applications. Direct competitor in the modular, decentralized wastewater space AquaWorks serves.
- Smith & Loveless: Manufacturer of packaged wastewater treatment plants and pump stations for small and mid-sized communities. Comparable to AquaWorks in providing engineered, decentralized treatment systems for municipalities and small-volume producers.
Broad incumbents
- Tetra Tech: Global consulting and engineering firm with deep water, wastewater, and environmental practices. Competes with AquaWorks for municipal and small-scale water infrastructure work and offers a much broader service portfolio.
- Black & Veatch: Major global EPC and engineering firm with a large water business serving utilities and municipalities. Competes with AquaWorks on water and wastewater treatment projects, especially for clients needing both centralized and decentralized solutions.
- HDR Inc. Large U.S. engineering and consulting firm with significant water and wastewater treatment capabilities. Comparable engineering service offering for municipal and rural water clients, including design and program management.
- Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions: Global water treatment technology and services provider offering a full spectrum of water and wastewater solutions, including decentralized and packaged systems. Overlaps with AquaWorks in providing engineered water/wastewater treatment infrastructure.
- Xylem Inc. Global water technology company offering equipment, services, and treatment solutions for municipal and industrial water applications. Competes in adjacent segments of the water and wastewater treatment market AquaWorks serves.
- Apex Companies, LLC: National multidisciplinary engineering, environmental, and consulting platform that acquired AquaWorks DBO in 2025. Operates a broad portfolio of water, environmental, and infrastructure services that overlap with AquaWorks' decentralized water and wastewater capabilities.
Emerging players
- Fluence Corporation: Provider of decentralized water and wastewater treatment solutions, including packaged and modular systems for rural and industrial customers. Direct overlap with AquaWorks' decentralized treatment focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
AquaWorks DBO social profiles
Digital presenceAquaWorks DBO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AquaWorks DBO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
AquaWorks DBO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AquaWorks DBO 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 AquaWorks DBO
What does AquaWorks DBO do?
AquaWorks DBO provides design, build, and operate (DBO) services for small-scale, decentralized water and wastewater treatment systems. The firm delivers modular, pre-engineered treatment solutions and civil/environmental engineering expertise to small-volume producers, municipalities, and rural/remote communities that lack access to centralized treatment infrastructure.
Is AquaWorks DBO a public or private company?
AquaWorks DBO is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was AquaWorks DBO founded?
AquaWorks DBO was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AquaWorks DBO based?
AquaWorks DBO is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does AquaWorks DBO make money?
One revenue line is on record: engineering Services.
Who are AquaWorks DBO's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Carollo Engineers, Orenco Systems and Smith & Loveless. Broad incumbents are Tetra Tech, Black & Veatch, HDR Inc., Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, Xylem Inc. and Apex Companies, LLC. Fluence Corporation is listed as an emerging player.
Does AquaWorks DBO have an API?
No public API is recorded for AquaWorks DBO.
What industry is AquaWorks DBO in?
AquaWorks DBO's product category is Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANADAE, Decentralized/Package Wastewater Systems (Small/Remote), with a secondary code of IMAHAEAJ, Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems). Its NAICS code is 22132 and its SIC code is 1623.