Latest news with #WaterUtilities
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Water Works Company Second Quarter 2025 Earnings: Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Lags
American Water Works Company (NYSE:AWK) Second Quarter 2025 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: US$1.28b (up 11% from 2Q 2024). Net income: US$289.0m (up 4.3% from 2Q 2024). Profit margin: 23% (down from 24% in 2Q 2024). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses. EPS: US$1.48 (up from US$1.42 in 2Q 2024). This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period American Water Works Company Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Falls Short Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 3.9%. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 2.6%. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 6.4% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 6.4% growth forecast for the Water Utilities industry in the US. Performance of the American Water Utilities industry. The company's share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago. Risk Analysis Before we wrap up, we've discovered 2 warning signs for American Water Works Company (1 is concerning!) that you should be aware of. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Zawya
31-07-2025
- Zawya
Is AI the answer to South Africa's water troubles?
Climate change, ageing infrastructure, pollution, and unequal access are the biggest challenges South Africa faces regarding its water systems. As the world becomes more attuned to artificial intelligence (AI), one wonders if it can help resolve our growing water crisis. In the words of Nelson Mandela: 'Massive poverty and obscene inequality… rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social evils.' These words echo louder today as millions of South Africans still live without reliable access to clean drinking water, despite rapid global advances in technology. The country loses nearly half its treated water to leaks, theft, and poor management. Meanwhile, the tools to fix these problems may already be within reach. AI: a new ally in an old struggle AI isn't just about robots and smart devices — it's about using data and machine learning to make smarter decisions, faster. In the water sector, this means identifying leaks before pipes burst, forecasting droughts more accurately, preventing water pollution, and even improving how farmers irrigate their crops. Across Africa, where similar water challenges persist, AI could be a game-changer if deployed ethically and inclusively. Smarter water management AI's real strength lies in its ability to process massive amounts of data. For water utilities, this can transform how systems are monitored and maintained. - Early warning systems: AI can analyse satellite imagery and weather data to predict floods and droughts. In disaster-prone areas like KwaZulu-Natal, this helps officials act before a crisis hits. - Leak detection and smart maintenance: AI tools can identify pressure drops or hidden leaks, saving precious water. South Africa loses up to 47% of its treated water — AI could drastically cut these losses. - Digital twins: These are virtual replicas of water systems. Utilities can use them to simulate different scenarios, plan upgrades, and reduce maintenance costs. Making every drop count in agriculture Farming uses over 60% of South Africa's water. With AI-powered irrigation, farmers can water only when needed, based on real-time data about soil moisture, weather, and crop type. These smart systems can: - Cut water use by 20–60%. - Boost crop yields by 20–30%. - Reduce reliance on chemical inputs and manual labour. Cleaner water, healthier communities AI can also protect water quality. By analysing pollution patterns, machine learning models can detect contaminants from industries, mines, or agriculture. In rural and under-resourced areas, where data is scarce, AI can still predict pollution risks, helping prevent health hazards before they reach communities. Tackling corruption and theft Corruption and vandalism are major drains on the water sector. AI can help shine a light on financial misconduct by scanning procurement data for red flags, such as ghost suppliers or suspicious contracts. Video surveillance and AI-powered drones can also monitor vulnerable infrastructure and detect theft in real time. Predictive models can map high-risk areas, helping municipalities focus resources where they're needed most. Closing the skills gap There's a severe shortage of technical expertise in South Africa's water sector. AI can fill that gap — not by replacing people, but by supporting them. Tools like chatbots, remote dashboards, and automated alerts can help less-experienced staff operate complex systems with confidence. AI also preserves institutional knowledge, digitising manuals and past case data to support decision-making, even when experienced technicians leave. Building public engagement Technology can also empower the public. AI-powered chatbots and multilingual apps can teach water-saving tips, notify users of local outages, and help people report leaks or vandalism. Communities become partners in managing water, not just passive recipients. Ethics first: AI that works for everyone While the promise of AI is enormous, it must be used responsibly. That means: - Ensuring access for rural and marginalised communities. - Protecting privacy and sensitive data. - Designing systems that minimise bias. - Creating safeguards against job losses in vulnerable communities. Technology is never neutral — it reflects the values of its designers. To truly serve people, AI in the water sector must be guided by ethics, equity, and sustainability. A way forward To unlock AI's full potential, South Africa needs to start with practical, high-impact projects, like leak detection and predictive maintenance. But technology alone isn't enough. Investing in digital infrastructure, skills, and cross-sector partnerships is key. If done right, AI can help deliver universal access to clean, safe water — and make the sector more resilient for the future. As AI researcher Timnit Gebru said, 'Technology is not neutral; it reflects the values of its creators.' All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
UPDATE: Normal operations resume at Nacogdoches water plant following repairs
UPDATE: The City of Nacogdoches said power systems at the surface water treatment plant have been repaired. City Manager Rick Beverlin, thanks the repair teams for their quick actions and residents for participating in water conservation efforts. NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) — City of Nacogdoches residents and businesses are encouraged to conserve water following a lightning strike that is causing electrical issues at the city's surface water treatment plant. Rep. Moran introduces bill to improve rural radar gaps in East Texas The City of Nacogdoches released a statement concerning a lightning strike that affected a transformer at the surface water treatment plant on Friday night. The Water Utilities Department is asking the community to avoid unnecessary water usage for an estimated 48 hours. State Rep. Jay Dean announces plan for reelection campaign The city said crews are currently working to supply supplemental power while the transformer is being repaired. Updates will be provided as the status of the situation develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Should You Be Concerned About H2O America's (NASDAQ:HTO) ROE?
Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). We'll use ROE to examine H2O America (NASDAQ:HTO), by way of a worked example. ROE or return on equity is a useful tool to assess how effectively a company can generate returns on the investment it received from its shareholders. In short, ROE shows the profit each dollar generates with respect to its shareholder investments. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. ROE can be calculated by using the formula: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) ÷ Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for H2O America is: 7.1% = US$99m ÷ US$1.4b (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2025). The 'return' refers to a company's earnings over the last year. One way to conceptualize this is that for each $1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made $0.07 in profit. See our latest analysis for H2O America Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, H2O America has a lower ROE than the average (8.9%) in the Water Utilities industry. Unfortunately, that's sub-optimal. However, a low ROE is not always bad. If the company's debt levels are moderate to low, then there's still a chance that returns can be improved via the use of financial leverage. A high debt company having a low ROE is a different story altogether and a risky investment in our books. To know the 2 risks we have identified for H2O America visit our risks dashboard for free. Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. It's worth noting the high use of debt by H2O America, leading to its debt to equity ratio of 1.33. With a fairly low ROE, and significant use of debt, it's hard to get excited about this business at the moment. Debt increases risk and reduces options for the company in the future, so you generally want to see some good returns from using it. Return on equity is one way we can compare its business quality of different companies. In our books, the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt. Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, you'll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth -- and how much investment is required going forward. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Ban Chinese companies from investing in British water utilities, ministers urged
Ministers are being urged to block Chinese firms from investing in water utilities after they were banned from involvement with the Sizewell C nuclear plant. Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been warned that allowing companies based in China or Hong Kong to buy crucial utilities would be 'negligent'. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband last week banned Chinese investment in the Sizewell C nuclear plant amid growing concerns over the country's involvement in key UK infrastructure. And it followed demands from CKI, which is owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li-Ka-shing and already holds a majority stake in Northumbrian Water, to be allowed to bid for Thames Water. The struggling utility was plunged further into crisis earlier this month after American private equity giant KKR – the Government's preferred bidder – abandoned a £4bn rescue plan. KKR's U-turn – which sources said was due to concerns about the risk of political interference – fuelled fears that taxpayers could be forced to bail out Britain's biggest water company. Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been warned that allowing companies based in China or Hong Kong to buy crucial utilities would be 'negligent' Tory MP Nick Timothy said Chinese companies should not be allowed to invest in Thames Water. In a letter to Reed, seen by the Mail, Timothy said Miliband's decision was 'correct, given the threat posed by China to the UK and the wider west'. He said: 'It would be negligent to hand over yet more of our critical national infrastructure on top of China's already extensive footprint. 'In light of the Government's ban on Chinese investment in nuclear power, will you impose a similar ban on further Chinese investment in the water sector?' Companies in mainland China 'are under various obligations to the Chinese state, such as requirements to support, assist and cooperate with national intelligence efforts', he said. He argued that those based in Hong Kong 'also pose a serious risk, since they are now subject to authoritarian National Security Laws which have increased Beijing's reach into the territory'.
