Water-as-a-Service®: Partnering for long-term water and wastewater security in Florida

Business Journals

15-05-2025

Florida's burgeoning population, now exceeding 23 million and still climbing, places an undeniable and increasing burden on a water infrastructure often dating back decades. This isn't just a matter of numbers; it's a critical juncture for the Sunshine State's security and prosperity. But amid these challenges, Water-as-a-Service® emerges as a promising path forward — a strategic partnership designed to ensure long-term water security.
The state's aging water infrastructure — much of which was built decades ago — is under immense strain and escalating maintenance costs. Municipalities must also meet regulatory requirements enforced by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which may necessitate costly system upgrades.
Facing these mounting pressures, Florida's growing communities need sustainable water solutions, but navigating infrastructure, regulations and maintenance challenges can feel like an overwhelming responsibility. Water-as-a-Service® (WaaS®) offers municipalities a trusted partnership that combines expert guidance, operational support and long-term reliability, ensuring compliance and efficiency for a secure water future.
This innovative Water-as-a-Service® model, pioneered by Tampa-based Seven Seas Water Group, offers a refreshing alternative. Instead of the burden of ownership, municipalities gain access to a fully operational water treatment solution for a predictable monthly fee. Unlike traditional financing models that require significant capital outlay, WaaS® requires no upfront investment, and there are no unexpected costs. Instead, customers receive a guaranteed quantity and quality of water, or wastewater service, for a fixed monthly fee.
Access to water and wastewater specialists
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With a Seven Seas WaaS® partnership, municipalities and developers gain access to a dedicated team of seasoned water specialists and cutting-edge technologies.
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With a Seven Seas WaaS® partnership, municipalities are supported by a team of water specialists — seasoned experts who not only navigate the complexities of system design and permitting but also shoulder the responsibility of ensuring unwavering compliance with all safety, environmental and public health regulations. Developers and municipalities get access to cutting-edge technologies, future-proofing their water infrastructure in the process.
WaaS® gives customers the peace of mind that operations and maintenance are in the hands of seasoned professionals, leaving them free to concentrate on other responsibilities without having to worry about managing day-to-day plant operations.
This model directly tackles the significant operational burdens that often weigh heavily on municipalities: navigating tight budgets, overcoming capacity limitations, the complexities of staff management and dealing with unexpected expenses. Seven Seas manages and maintains all aspects of the plant, saving customers the time, hassle and expense associated with plant ownership.
Because municipalities pay for the volume of water or wastewater we treat, it's in our best interest to ensure our plants operate optimally with minimal downtime. In addition to scheduled maintenance, we continuously monitor and optimize processes to ensure efficiency and compliance. This proactive approach significantly minimizes the risk of costly system failures and ensures consistent compliance, safeguarding the community's water supply and the municipality's reputation.
Alternative water supplies
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For Florida communities grappling with dwindling traditional water supplies and saltwater intrusion, Water-as-a-Service® offers a crucial lifeline by providing access to alternative water sources.
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For Florida communities facing the dual threats of dwindling traditional water supplies — often overtaxed groundwater reserves — and the encroaching danger of saltwater intrusion along coastal regions, Water-as-a-Service® offers a vital lifeline: access to alternative water sources.
The experience of Alice, Texas, provides a real-world example of how WaaS® can benefit communities in a state that faces water challenges similar to Florida's: increasing demand, aging infrastructure and the need for a resilient water supply. To improve drought resilience, Alice, which had been shipping in raw fresh water from 20 miles away, entered into a Water-as-a-Service® partnership with Seven Seas that allowed them to tap into a cheaper alternative water source, the abundant supply of brackish groundwater. This demonstrates how WaaS® can provide a resilient solution to water scarcity, a growing concern in Florida.
Smart financing for a sustainable future
This collaborative framework allowed Alice to leverage funding secured from a state revolving fund (SRF) for the initial infrastructure development, which involved completing source wells and distribution pipelines. The city then opted for a WaaS® solution to finance the construction of a brackish water desalination plant, capable of producing 3 million gallons of raw water per day.
At the end of the 15-year contract, plant ownership will transfer to the city. By choosing WaaS®, the city is set to receive a guaranteed volume of raw water at a fixed price per 1,000 gallons, solving its water woes with no upfront capital investment.
Seven Seas Water Group, headquartered right here in Tampa, Florida, understands the unique water challenges facing communities across this state, and we deliver decentralized water and wastewater treatment solutions tailored to their needs. Municipalities facing infrastructure, compliance and maintenance challenges are encouraged to explore WaaS® as a means to overcome these challenges.
By embracing Water-as-a-Service®, you're not just addressing immediate needs; you're investing in the long-term water security and resilience of your community. Explore how Water-as-a-Service® can secure your community's water future.
Seven Seas Water Group, based in Tampa, provides more than 20 billion gallons of water annually across the Americas. Specializing in decentralized Water-as-a-Service® solutions, Seven Seas designs, builds, operates and upgrades facilities to optimize public-private risk transfer and address global water and wastewater infrastructure challenges for diverse sectors.
Erik Arfalk is the senior vice president of Business Development and Marketing at Seven Seas Water Group. With over 20 years of international strategy and business development experience from companies like GE, Atlas Copco and Fluence Corporation, Arfalk currently leads strategic growth and branding initiatives for Seven Seas.