Powell Water Services
Powell Water Systems, Inc., a privately held founder-owned firm founded in 1985 and headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, develops and markets proprietary electrocoagulation water treatment systems and the patented PWMAS microalgae lagoon system for industrial, commercial, and municipal customers across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersCentennial, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Powell Water Services does
Powell Water Systems, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned water treatment technology company incorporated in Colorado and headquartered at 19331 E Tufts Circle, Centennial, Colorado. Founded by Scott Wade Powell in 1985 and operating continuously for over 40 years, the company develops and markets electrocoagulation (EC)-based wastewater treatment equipment serving industrial, commercial, and municipal customers across North America. The firm operates from a single suburban location with a small visible team consisting of the founder and two operational personnel (Judd Sundine on System Control/Microalgae R&D and Jeff Couch as System Operator), with no disclosed institutional ownership or outside capital structure.
Its core technology is a proprietary electrocoagulation chamber that directly converts incoming AC line voltage to DC current operating at 3 volts per gap versus the 30–80-volt range of competing EC systems, a design choice the company quantifies as delivering 96% electrical cost savings at constant treatment efficacy. The chamber uses parallel plate electrodes in iron, aluminum, titanium, or graphite with a vertical flow architecture that supports flow rates approximately 20 times higher than horizontally configured systems. Core products comprise the Powell Electrocoagulation System (scalable from 1.5 GPM to 2,500 GPM and beyond), Distillation Systems, Vacuum Tower Clarification Systems, and the patented Powell Water Micro Algae System (PWMAS, US 10,358,361 B2) — a microalgae-based lagoon aeration technology. Patent protection extends through US 6,139,710 (2000), US 6,488,835 (2002), and international filings via PCT/US99/04312.
Revenue is generated primarily through direct hardware sales of treatment equipment, supplemented by on-site bench-scale demonstration services and PWMAS managed services. The sales motion is direct and field-led, anchored by portable bench-scale demonstrations that allow prospects to validate operating economics at sample scale. Pricing is application-specific and usage-based, with disclosed metrics including $0.24 per 1,000 gallons for municipal sewage, $0.05 per gallon for steam cleaner wastewater, and operating-cost savings versus chemical coagulation of $43,500 per year at 5 GPM and $374,700 per year at 100 GPM. The company maintains an active presence at NRWA and CRWA conferences, maintains a substantial presentations and validation library, and has received earned-media coverage from NPR/CPR Colorado (March 2024) and CBS News Colorado (June 2025) around PFAS treatment applications.
Powell Water Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Powell Water Services
- Legal name
- Powell Water Systems, Inc.
- Website
- https://powellwater.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Powell Water Systems, Inc., a privately held founder-owned firm founded in 1985 and headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, develops and markets proprietary electrocoagulation water treatment systems and the patented PWMAS microalgae lagoon system for industrial, commercial, and municipal customers across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Powell Water Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wastewater Treatment Equipment
- NAICS
- Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310)
- SIC
- Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems) (IMAHAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Separation & Filtration Equipment (Filters, Centrifuges, Membranes) (IMAHAEAB), Water Systems & Treatment (Pumps/Boilers/Water Heaters/Filtration) (IMAIABAK), Water Softener, Filtration & Treatment System Installation (HSAOAAAH)
Keywords
Where Powell Water Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Centennial
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Powell Water Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Electrocoagulation Water Treatment Equipment Sales: Sale of wastewater treatment equipment including Powell Electrocoagulation Systems, Distillation Systems, and Vacuum Tower Clarification Systems. Equipment capacity ranges from 1.5 GPM (1 cup per minute) to 2,500 GPM. Systems are sold directly to industrial, commercial, and municipal customers. Equipment can be scaled almost infinitely beyond the 2,500 GPM range.
- Water Treatment Services and Demonstrations: On-site demonstrations using portable bench-scale EC units to process wastewater samples, determining exact operational expenses for larger systems. Samples may be shipped to representatives for processing and return to the customer's facility for analytical work.
- PWMAS Microalgae System Services: Powell Water Micro Algae System (PWMAS) for lagoon optimization, including microalgae nursery, system control facility, and related equipment for wastewater lagoon aeration and treatment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Electrocoagulation municipal sewage treatment |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Commercial laundry water reclamation |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Steam cleaner wastewater treatment |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | PFAS treatment - simple aluminum blades |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | PFAS treatment - complete destruction with iron blades and hydrogen peroxide |
| Usage-based | Annual | 5 GPM system operating cost savings vs. chemical coagulation |
| Usage-based | Annual | 100 GPM system operating cost savings vs. chemical coagulation |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Vapor recompression distillation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Powell Water Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Powell Water Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells proprietary electrocoagulation-based water and wastewater treatment equipment, including the Powell Electrocoagulation System, Distillation Systems, Vacuum Tower Clarification Systems, and the Powell Water Microalgae System (PWMAS). Equipment is sold in skid-mounted configurations from 1.5 GPM to 2,500 GPM to industrial, commercial, and municipal customers for PFAS removal, heavy metal recovery, food processing wastewater, sewage treatment, and drinking water production.
Product overview
Powell Water Systems offers electrocoagulation-based wastewater treatment equipment. The core product line consists of the Powell Electrocoagulation System, Distillation System, and Vacuum Tower Clarification System. Equipment is available in scalable skid-mounted configurations ranging from 1.5 GPM to 2,500 GPM capacity. The Powell Water Microalgae System (PWMAS) is an add-on module for lagoon optimization that provides biological aeration using microalgae, with electrocoagulation used for system redundancy and final disinfection. These products work together as a comprehensive water treatment solution addressing industrial, commercial, and municipal wastewater applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PWMAS (Powell Water Micro Algae System): A lagoon optimization system using microalgae for wastewater aeration, covered under US Patent 10,358,361 B2. The system provides lagoon aeration via microalgae as biological oxygen generators, used in conjunction with electrocoagulation for disinfection and upset condition management.
Products and services
- Powell Electrocoagulation System Primary electrocoagulation water treatment system that uses electrical current to remove contaminants from industrial, commercial, and municipal wastewater. Features vertical flow design, direct AC-to-DC line voltage conversion, and 3-volts-per-gap operation saving 96% of electrical costs vs. competing systems.
- Distillation System Vapor recompression distillation system that produces ultra-pure potable water from salt water without reverse-osmosis brine pollution, generating marketable salt as a byproduct at approximately 0.15 KW per gallon (~$0.01 per gallon at $0.07/KWH).
- Vacuum Tower Clarification System Clarification system capable of dewatering and separating treated water from solids at up to 50% solids concentration.
- Skid Mounted Equipment (Powell Electrocoagulation Skid Systems) Scalable skid-mounted electrocoagulation systems available in standardized capacities (1.5, 3, 6, 10, 15, 30, 50, 90, 135, 250, 360, 500, and 2,500 GPM) with voltage inputs ranging from 110V AC to 2,400V AC.
- Powell Water Microalgae System (PWMAS) Patent-protected (US 10,358,361 B2) lagoon aeration system using biological oxygen generators - a robust and diverse community of microalgae that disperses evenly within the lagoon to provide 100% available oxygen for microbes removing BOD5. Includes systems control facility for production and distribution of site-specific microalgae and microbes, spectrum-specific lighting, nutrient-specific microalgae food, immersion heaters, site-specific mixing system, and weighted distribution pipelines.
Quantifiable outcome
- PFAS destruction: PFOA and PFOS reduced below proposed discharge limits for water; coagulated solids with iron blades and hydrogen peroxide below suggested limits for liquid discharge. Destroys fluorine-carbon bond.
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Powell Water Services
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments11 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Powell Water Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Powell Water Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Powell Water Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Veolia Water Technologies: Veolia operates one of the largest water and wastewater treatment technology portfolios globally, serving municipal and industrial customers across PFAS removal, desalination, and reuse. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same municipal and industrial compliance-driven opportunities that Powell targets.
- Xylem: Xylem is a global water technology major offering a broad portfolio including advanced treatment, filtration, and disinfection for municipal and industrial water. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in the same end markets Powell serves, though Xylem's portfolio spans much wider than EC alone.
- SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions: SUEZ provides water treatment chemicals, equipment, and digital services across municipal and industrial water markets, including PFAS and heavy-metal removal applications. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in industrial and municipal water treatment where Powell also competes.
- De Nora: De Nora is a global electrode and electrochemical technology provider with significant electrocoagulation offerings for water and wastewater treatment. Comparable as a broader, well-capitalized incumbent in the same EC technology space, with deeper resources and international reach than Powell.
- Aqua-Pure / Halliburton Water Treatment: Halliburton's water treatment division serves oil & gas, mining, and industrial customers with produced-water and process-water treatment solutions. Comparable as a broad incumbent addressing overlapping industrial water treatment use cases, particularly in oil & gas and mining where Powell also competes.
Direct peers
- Genesis Water Technologies: Genesis Water Technologies provides electrocoagulation and advanced water treatment solutions globally, including for industrial wastewater and potable water. Comparable to Powell in offering EC-based treatment as a specialty service across municipal and industrial use cases.
- Lenntech: Lenntech supplies water treatment systems and components, including electrochemical and electrocoagulation technologies, across industrial and municipal applications. Comparable as a specialty system integrator and equipment provider in overlapping water treatment markets.
- WaterTectonics: WaterTectonics designs and manufactures electrocoagulation water treatment systems for industrial, mining, and municipal applications. Directly comparable to Powell as both are EC-centric specialists selling packaged treatment units with proprietary chamber designs.
Regional players
- Newterra: Newterra (formerly Clearford and other water-tech brands) provides decentralized water and wastewater treatment systems, particularly for small and mid-sized municipal customers. Comparable as a regional player serving rural and small-municipal customers in similar geographies to Powell's Colorado-anchored footprint.
Emerging players
- VRTX Technologies: VRTX Technologies offers electrocoagulation-based water and wastewater treatment systems for oil & gas, mining, and industrial customers. Comparable as an emerging specialist in EC with overlapping target use cases (heavy metals, oil/water separation, industrial wastewater).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Powell Water Services social profiles
Digital presencePowell Water Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Powell Water Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Powell Water Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Powell Water Services 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 Powell Water Services
What does Powell Water Services do?
Powell Water Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells proprietary electrocoagulation-based water and wastewater treatment equipment, including the Powell Electrocoagulation System, Distillation Systems, Vacuum Tower Clarification Systems, and the Powell Water Microalgae System (PWMAS). Equipment is sold in skid-mounted configurations from 1.5 GPM to 2,500 GPM to industrial, commercial, and municipal customers for PFAS removal, heavy metal recovery, food processing wastewater, sewage treatment, and drinking water production.
Is Powell Water Services a public or private company?
Powell Water Services is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Powell Water Services founded?
Powell Water Services was founded in 1985. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Powell Water Services based?
Powell Water Services is headquartered in Centennial, United States, in the North America region.
How does Powell Water Services make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electrocoagulation Water Treatment Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are water Treatment Services and Demonstrations and PWMAS Microalgae System Services.
Who are Powell Water Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Veolia Water Technologies, Xylem, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions, De Nora and Aqua-Pure / Halliburton Water Treatment. Direct peers are Genesis Water Technologies, Lenntech and WaterTectonics. Newterra is listed as a regional player. VRTX Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does Powell Water Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Powell Water Services.
What industry is Powell Water Services in?
Powell Water Services's product category is Wastewater Treatment Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAEAJ, Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Equipment (Clarifiers, Aeration, Membrane Systems), with a secondary code of IMAHAEAB, Separation & Filtration Equipment (Filters, Centrifuges, Membranes). Its NAICS code is 333914 and its SIC code is 3620.