Permanent Forum of Binational Waters

What Permanent Forum of Binational Waters does

The Permanent Forum of Binational Waters is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2019 and headquartered in Bulverde, Texas, dedicated to improving water and environmental resilience along the U.S.-Mexico border. It operates as a binational, multidisciplinary institution that convenes scientists, government officials, NGOs, industry representatives, and community members from both countries to address transboundary water challenges affecting the Rio Grande, the Colorado River, and shared aquifer systems. The organization's core technology centers on science communication and water management collaboration, including compiled scientific databases with aquifer maps across the U.S. and Mexico, models and tools for surface-groundwater interactions, and a working group platform covering 20 specialized topical areas.

Its core products and services include Research and Consultancy for governments and private organizations, Water Footprint Assessment and Certification for businesses, bilingual water courses delivered through the Binational Institute, and Science Communication resources (infographics, guides, Zoom backgrounds). Engagement programs comprise bi-monthly Science Talks, Coffee Breaks bilingual discussions, the Women in Water monthly podcast, and a network of 20 specialized working groups. Major projects include the Transboundary Aquifers Pilot Program (APN-Maverick Aquifer), the Monterrey Metropolitan Zone Recharge Areas Identification, and the California-Baja California Coastal Resilience (One Coast, One Community) initiative.

The organization's revenue model combines donations and sponsorships (with tiers ranging from $1,500 Downstream to $4,500 Basin), grants from institutional partners including the North American Development Bank, individual and bulk water course purchases, project-based consultancy, and merchandise sales through its Binational Store. It distributes services via its own website, virtual Zoom events with English-Spanish interpretation, in-person and online courses, and direct consultancy delivery. Membership in the forum is free, with 257+ members across both countries.

Name

Permanent Forum of Binational Waters

Legal name

Permanent Forum of Binational Waters

Website

https://binationalwaters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Permanent Forum of Binational Waters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2019 that convenes scientists, governments, and communities across the U.S.-Mexico border to improve water resilience through research, consultancy, bilingual education, and certification programs focused on shared rivers and aquifers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental and Water Resource Consulting

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD), Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG), Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB)

Keywords

• Transboundary water management
• Water resource consultancy
• Water education courses
• Water footprint certification
• Binational water research

Headquarters

HQ city

Bulverde

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization relies heavily on donations and sponsorships to fund research, education, and collaboration initiatives. Sponsorship tiers include Downstream ($1,500), Upstream ($3,500), and Basin ($4,500) levels for general support, as well as specific project and initiative sponsorship options.
2. Water Courses and Education: Revenue generated from bilingual water courses offered through the Binational Institute, including individual course purchases and bulk/block enrollment options for universities, businesses, and public entities. Courses are available online and in-person.
3. Research and Consultancy Services: Consultancy services for governments, NGOs, institutions, and private organizations facing transboundary water management challenges. Services include water footprint certification, risk assessments, training, and strategic advisory.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of merchandise including 'Water Unites Us' branded products through the Binational Store, with proceeds supporting water sustainability initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Permanent Forum of Binational Waters is a nonprofit, binational, multidisciplinary institution that provides applied research, consultancy, education, and science-based certification services focused on transboundary water management along the Mexico-U.S. border. Its core offerings include the Research and Consultancy practice for governments and private organizations, Water Footprint Assessment and Certification for businesses, and the Binational Institute's bilingual water courses. These are supported by an engagement platform of 20 working groups, recurring Science Talks and Coffee Breaks events, and the Women in Water podcast.

Product overview

The Permanent Forum of Binational Waters operates as a nonprofit multidisciplinary institution offering a portfolio of interconnected services focused on water research, education, and collaboration along the Mexico-U.S. border. The core offerings include Research and Consultancy Services for international waters, Water Footprint Assessment and Certification for businesses, and the Binational Institute providing bilingual water courses. Supporting these are science communication resources (infographics, Zoom backgrounds, guides) and scientific data resources (aquifer maps, databases, models). The organization also runs engagement programs including Science Talks, Coffee Breaks, the Women in Water podcast, Working Groups, and the Binational Store. Major current projects include the Transboundary Aquifers Pilot Program, Monterrey Metropolitan Zone Recharge Areas Identification, and California-Baja California Coastal Resilience (One Coast, One Community). The organization connects scientists, policymakers, and citizens through a collaborative network platform with 20 specialized working groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Coffee Breaks: A bilingual platform for comprehensive science of water communication, featuring bilingual discussions with experts from both the U.S. and Mexico on water issues.
• Science Talks
• Women in Water
• Binational Institute
• One Coast One Community

Products and services

• Research and Consultancy Services Customized consultancy services for governments, NGOs, institutions, and private organizations focused on managing local, regional, and international waters, including transboundary water cooperation, water usage policies, resource efficiency audits, resilience action plans, environmental risk assessments, and communication strategies.
• Water Footprint Assessment and Certification A service designed to help businesses, organizations, and public agencies assess, reduce, and manage their water footprint, including consulting and advisory services, training, on-site assessments, and scenario modeling.
• Binational Institute Water Courses Comprehensive, bilingual water courses addressing international water border issues for individuals, universities, companies, and public utilities in Mexico and the U.S., including custom course creation for organizations. Available courses include Water and Ecosystems in the Tijuana-San Diego Region and Rio Research Roundup Course.
• Certification Programs for Businesses Programs that certify businesses in best water management practices (BMPs) at transboundary scale, enabling companies to demonstrate commitment to sustainable water management practices.
• Scientific Data Resources Scientific databases and tools for researchers and policymakers, including aquifer maps of the U.S. and Mexico, scientific databases on water resources, models and tools for surface-groundwater interactions, and peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications on water management.
• Science Talks Program A recurring event series held every other month featuring young professionals and researchers at the forefront of water science, highlighting potential water solutions for the U.S.-Mexico border region, with English-Spanish interpretation.
• Coffee Breaks Program A bilingual discussion platform connecting experts from the U.S. and Mexico to discuss water science issues in accessible language, featuring nearly 20 events with around 50 speakers covering water challenges, policy, and management strategies.
• Women in Water Podcast A monthly podcast featuring insightful interviews with female leaders in the water sector, showcasing their work and projects in water science and sustainability at the U.S.-Mexico border, available on YouTube and Spotify.
• Working Groups Platform A collaborative network platform connecting water experts from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border across 20 specialized groups including Water Quality, Agriculture and Irrigation, Geology and Hydrogeology, Ground Water, Surface Water, Climate Change, and others.
• Binational Store An e-commerce store selling Water Unites Us merchandise and other products, with proceeds supporting water sustainability initiatives along the border.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hosted nearly 10 Science Talks programs featuring 30 scientists from multiple countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universities (Multiple)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnering with leading academic institutions including Tecnologico de Monterrey, UACH, UABC, Arizona State University, University of Texas at Austin, Sul Ross State University, and others to conduct cutting-edge research and provide data-driven solutions to water challenges.
• Non-governmental OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking alongside nonprofit organizations including San Diego Foundation, Rio Grande Joint Venture, The Women in Water Diplomacy Network, and others that share the vision of sustainable water management and community resilience.
• Government Agencies (Multiple)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngaging with local, regional, and national governments on both sides of the border including Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, Border Planning and Environmental Alliance, RGISC, and International Boundary and Water Commission to implement water policy and management strategies.
• North American Development Bank (NADBank)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading donor and strategic partner providing support for sustainable water infrastructure development in the U.S.-Mexico border region. Collaborated on Coffee Break events and project development.
• California Institute for Water ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading donor and partner providing funding and research collaboration for water resources research and management programs.
• Texas Water Resources InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing research collaboration and support for water resources management initiatives along the border.
• Arizona Water Resources Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading donor and research partner collaborating on water resources research and hosting joint events including World Water Week.
• Private Sector PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with industry leaders including Terra Habitus and SWRI who prioritize sustainable practices and water conservation efforts.
• International Water Law OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with International Association for Water Law, Environmental Law Institute, and IAH Transboundary Commission for expert guidance on water law and policy.
• Texas Children in NatureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for environmental education and outdoor learning initiatives related to water conservation.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Institute: A leading water research NGO producing influential reports on global water issues, sustainability, and conflict. Comparable to PFBW in offering independent water research, policy advice, and stakeholder convening, though at a global rather than binational scale.
• Water Education Foundation: A nonprofit dedicated to water education and stakeholder engagement in the western US. Comparable to PFBW in its educational mission, stakeholder convening, and bilingual programming approach to water issues.
• Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC): Works with NADBank to develop environmental infrastructure projects in the US-Mexico border region. Closely comparable to PFBW in mission (border environmental resilience) and binational operating model.

Emerging players

• Ceres: A sustainability nonprofit that convenes companies and investors on water stewardship and disclosure. Comparable to PFBW's corporate water footprint and certification offerings, though Ceres operates globally across multiple ESG themes.

Regional players

• Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA): Mexico's national water authority, responsible for administering Mexico's water resources. Comparable as a key stakeholder and counterpart in the transboundary water dialogue PFBW facilitates, though it operates as a governmental regulator on the Mexican side.
• Texas Water Development Board: Texas's state water planning and financing agency, which PFBW's Director Rosario Sanchez has led aquifer assessment work for. Comparable as a state-level water planning institution and potential partner/funding source for PFBW's research.

Broad incumbents

• International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC): The official US-Mexico binational body responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between the two countries. Comparable because it operates in the exact same transboundary water governance space as PFBW, though at a governmental scale.
• The Nature Conservancy — Water Program: Runs major freshwater and transboundary water initiatives globally, including in Mexico. Comparable to PFBW in addressing water resilience through science, partnerships, and on-the-ground projects along shared river systems.
• North American Development Bank (NADBank): A binational financial institution financing environmental infrastructure projects along the US-Mexico border, and an active PFBW partner. Directly comparable because it funds the same water and environmental projects PFBW advises on, but with substantially greater capital.
• World Resources Institute (WRI) — Water Program: Operates Aqueduct and other water-risk data and policy tools globally. Comparable to PFBW because it combines water data assets, certification frameworks, and convening of cross-border stakeholders — though at significantly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@binationalwater
• Facebookfacebook.com/binationalwater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/binationalwater
• Instagraminstagram.com/binationalwater

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Permanent Forum of Binational Waters