What Watershed Progressive does

Watershed Progressive is a California-based consulting and design-build firm founded in 2009 by Regina Hirsch that delivers integrated water management services across the onsite-to-watershed spectrum, including greywater reuse, rainwater harvesting, stormwater Low Impact Design (bioswales, rain gardens, constructed wetlands), ecological landscape architecture, irrigation systems, and onsite wastewater treatment. The firm executes full design-build projects from concept and permitting through construction, with in-house installation teams, construction supervision, and post-installation monitoring. Its technical staff includes Environmental Scientists, Ecologists, licensed Civil/Water Resources Engineers, Landscape Architects, GIS Analysts, and Construction Advisors, supported by the Headwaters Initiative Program (HIP), a workforce development pipeline that trains young adults in water management practices and feeds talent back into the firm and broader California conservation sector.

The firm generates revenue primarily through project-based professional services, including consulting fees, design services, installation/construction revenue, grant writing and fundraising support, and technical analysis/monitoring. Customer segments are concentrated in three primary verticals: educational institutions (independent schools, outdoor education centers, camps), government agencies (community services districts, county resource conservation districts, state and federal agencies), and nonprofit/NGO partners, with secondary exposure to commercial and residential clients. Go-to-market is relationship-driven and community-led, anchored by direct enterprise engagement, the annual Localizing California Waters conference, and a dense partnership network spanning California Conservation Corps, NOAA, USFS, US Fish & Wildlife, California DWR, California Fish and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, and tribal communities. Operations are California-only with offices in Ojai (Central Coast) and Groveland (Sierra Nevada), and the firm supplements its project work with free public design templates, toolkits, and training videos that build inbound demand and community visibility.

Name

Watershed Progressive

Legal name

Watershed Progressive

Website

https://watershedprogressive.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Watershed Progressive is a California-based consulting and design-build firm delivering integrated greywater, rainwater harvesting, stormwater, and ecological landscape services to schools, government agencies, and nonprofits across the state from offices in Ojai and Groveland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Management Consulting and Design-Build Services

NAICS

Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (237110), Landscape Architectural Services (541320)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban Flood Resilience & Adaptation Planning (Climate, Nature-Based Solutions) (EUANAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Reuse & Reclamation Infrastructure Construction (Recycled Water Systems) (IMAFAGAH), Landscape Grading, Drainage & Site Preparation (HSAIABAD), Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE), Riparian & Watershed Reforestation (Streambank Stabilization) (AFAMACAK)

Keywords

• Rainwater harvesting consulting
• Greywater reuse design
• Stormwater management services
• Watershed restoration planning
• Ecological landscape design

Headquarters

HQ city

Ojai

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Design-Build Services: Full-service design-build collaborative executing projects from concept through construction. Revenue generated through consulting fees, design services, and installation/construction services for water management systems.
2. Environmental Planning and Consulting: Water Management Plans, Comprehensive Resilience Plans, and technical analysis services for individual sites, cities, and watersheds. Includes grant writing and fundraising portfolio development.
3. Headwaters Initiative Program: Training and workforce development program providing vocational and personal development opportunities, potentially with associated fees or grant funding.
4. Education and Outreach Services: Workshops, trainings, design templates, toolkits, and curriculum development. Design guides and graphics creation for projects and communities. Annual Localizing California Waters conference.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Watershed Progressive is a consulting and design-build collaborative that delivers integrated water management services through a regenerative, whole-systems approach. The firm designs and installs onsite water capture systems (greywater reuse, rainwater harvesting, stormwater LID/bioswales/rain gardens) and combines them with watershed-level planning, ecological landscape design, irrigation systems, and on-site wastewater treatment for residential, commercial, public, and institutional clients across California. Projects are executed end-to-end from concept and permitting through construction, monitoring, and outreach.

Product overview

Watershed Progressive is a consulting and design-build collaborative offering integrated water management services through a regenerative, whole-systems approach. The company provides a comprehensive suite of interconnected services including water management planning, greywater reuse systems, rainwater harvesting, stormwater low impact design, ecological landscape design, and irrigation systems. Supporting services include the Headwaters Initiative Program for workforce training, outreach and education services, technical analysis and monitoring, and comprehensive resilience planning. Projects are executed from concept through construction, serving residential, commercial, public, and institutional clients across California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Headwaters Initiative Program (HIP): A unique career development and mentoring experience for young adults interested in hands-on experience and training focused on appropriate and responsible water management practices through regenerative, whole system, community-minded approaches.

Products and services

• Water Management Planning & Consulting Comprehensive water management planning services from site to watershed scale, including water budgets, cost-benefit analysis, GIS mapping, and regulatory compliance for residential, commercial, and public projects.
• Greywater Reuse Systems Design and installation of greywater systems including Laundry to Landscape and whole-house systems that capture and treat water from sinks and showers for landscape irrigation reuse.
• Rainwater Harvesting & Reuse Rainwater collection and storage system design including above and underground tanks for capturing rooftop runoff and providing supplementary water supply.
• Stormwater Low Impact Design (LID) Stormwater best management practices including rain gardens, bioswales, bioretention basins, permeable paving, and constructed wetlands for managing runoff and improving water quality.
• Ecological Landscape Design Regenerative landscape architecture and design services including native and climate-appropriate planting, edible gardens, food forests, turf transformation, and soil building.
• Irrigation Systems Water-efficient irrigation system design and construction including drip irrigation, reclaimed water systems, and smart water management for landscapes.
• Headwaters Initiative Program (HIP) A workforce development and mentorship program for young adults providing hands-on training in watershed resiliency, water management practices, and career development in the water conservation field.
• Outreach & Education Services Community education programs including design guides, toolkits, workshops, training videos, and curriculum development to help communities build climate resilience.
• Technical Analysis & Monitoring Technical analysis services including site assessments, soils testing, streamflow monitoring, water use surveys, irrigation audits, and BMP efficacy evaluation.
• Construction & Installation Services Full-service design-build execution from concept through construction, including permit coordination, construction guidance, and project implementation.
• Comprehensive Resilience Planning Living document frameworks organizing implementation timelines, cost estimates, funding strategies, and monitoring plans for long-term project success.
• On-Site Wastewater Treatment Onsite decentralized wastewater collection, treatment, and dispersal system design for residential and commercial applications.
• Localizing California Waters Conference Annual conference connecting California water policy makers with NGOs and on-the-ground installers to catalyze collaborative action on local water issues.

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Localizing California Waters (LCW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual conference organized by Watershed Progressive that connects state policy makers with NGOs and on-the-ground installers to catalyze collaborative action on California water issues.
• California Onsite Water Association (COWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association working to streamline and modernize regulatory standards for onsite water technologies. WP collaborates on legislation and policy supporting localized water as part of statewide sustainable management.
• Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. WP collaborated on projects including Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School.
• California Department of Water Resources (DWR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency responsible for managing California's water resources. Partner on watershed-level planning and water management initiatives.
• California Conservation CorpscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerState agency providing young adults with conservation work experience. WP provides training and support to CCC Corpsmembers and collaborates on project installations.
• Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal RCD supporting watershed health in Tuolumne County. WP collaborates on Twain Harte Meadows Park and other regional projects.
• Ventura County Resource Conservation District (VCRCD)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal RCD in Ventura County. WP collaborated with VCRCD on The Thacher School Field Classroom fire restoration project.
• AmeriCorps Watershed StewardsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNational service program focused on watershed conservation. WP supports training and provides project experience for Watershed Stewards.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency focused on science and service for oceans and atmosphere. WP collaborated with NOAA on Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School project.
• Greywater ActionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on education and advocacy for greywater systems. Shares expertise and best practices in water reuse.
• American Rainwater Catchment Systems AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association promoting rainwater harvesting. WP staff hold ARCSA certifications for rainwater system design.
• United States Forest Service (USFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency managing national forests and grasslands. WP collaborates on watershed restoration and fire resilience projects.
• United States Fish & Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency working to conserve wildlife and habitats. WP collaborates on habitat restoration and wildlife corridor projects.
• Telele FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation focused on natural resource management integrating arts and education within community settings. Connected to Executive Director's work.
• Land Resilience PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-benefit landscape resilience organization. WP collaborates on Twain Harte Meadows Park project and shares project information through their platform.
• San Luis Obispo County Office of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty education agency. WP collaborated on design of immersive outdoor learning environments at Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School.
• California Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency responsible for California's fish, wildlife, and habitats. Partner on water quality and habitat restoration projects.
• Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit research and education center focused on regenerative agriculture and ecology. Shares knowledge and best practices.
• Ojai Valley Green CoalitionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal coalition focused on environmental sustainability in Ojai Valley. WP collaborates on community projects in the region.
• Ojai Valley Land ConservancyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal land trust protecting open space and natural areas in Ojai Valley. Collaborates on conservation and restoration projects.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• GEI Consultants: Engineering and environmental consulting firm with a strong water resources, ecological, and geotechnical practice serving public and private clients. Comparable in combining engineering and ecological restoration, though substantially larger and more diversified geographically.
• Brown and Caldwell: Major water and environmental engineering firm serving utilities and municipalities on water, wastewater, and stormwater programs. Comparable on the engineering and design-build side of WP's work, especially for stormwater and water reuse, but at far larger scale and with utility-operator focus.
• Michael Baker International: Large infrastructure consulting and engineering firm with significant water resources, environmental, and stormwater practice serving public-sector clients. Comparable to WP on consulting and design services for water management projects, though at substantially larger scale.
• Stantec: Global infrastructure design and consulting firm with a major water and environmental practice including nature-based solutions and stormwater management. Comparable on integrated water-environmental design for public agencies but at much greater scale and geographic reach.
• NV5 Global: Infrastructure and environmental services firm delivering engineering, environmental, and geospatial consulting. Overlaps with WP on water resources, environmental planning, and design-build for public infrastructure, with much broader technical and geographic scope.
• SWCA Environmental Consultants: Large employee-owned environmental consulting firm with broad capabilities in water resources, ecological restoration, and cultural resources. Comparable to WP on natural-resource consulting work for public agencies, but with national footprint and much deeper bench.

Direct peers

• INTERA Incorporated: Water resources and environmental consulting firm serving public agencies with hydrology, groundwater, and stormwater expertise. Comparable to WP's water-resources engineering practice and watershed-scale planning orientation, particularly on public-sector projects.
• Dudek: California-headquartered environmental and engineering consulting firm with a strong water resources, habitat restoration, and stormwater practice serving public agencies. Closely comparable to WP on customer mix (municipalities, water districts, conservation clients) and California-centric operating geography, though at significantly larger scale.
• Stillwater Sciences: Aquatic ecology and riverine restoration consulting firm combining science, design, and monitoring for watershed restoration projects. Closely overlaps with WP's riparian corridor restoration, watershed planning, and nature-based design approach.
• Rincon Consultants: California-based environmental and water resources consulting firm offering biological, cultural, and water resource services to public and private clients. Comparable to WP's combination of ecological restoration, water resources, and regulatory permitting work for California municipalities and agencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Watershed Progressive