Our Water Crisis is a Marketing Problem: Here's Why

Dunja Jovanovic: Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to Seven Seas Water Group?
Henry Charrabé: I started with Seven Seas Water Group in September 2021, but I’ve been in the water and wastewater space for about two decades. Before this, I was the CEO and managing director of Fluence, a public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. That company evolved from RWL Water, where I was the founding CEO. The sole investor in that venture was Ronald Lauder, who believed that water is the oil of the 21st century and the key to peace in the Middle East. That led me to the water sector, focusing on decentralized water treatment solutions.

D.J.: What does Seven Seas Water Group do?
H.C.: We provide water as a service. We own and operate the assets, meaning our customers don’t have to make huge upfront capital investments. Instead, they pay over time—10, 20, even 30 years—similar to a mortgage. We finance, engineer, design, own, operate, and maintain water and wastewater treatment plants. Right now, we have over 230 assets under management, making us a leader in this space.

D.J.: Your company focuses on a decentralized approach—what does that look like in practice, and how does it help address water scarcity?
H.C.: Traditional water systems rely on large, centralized infrastructure, pumping water over long distances. That’s not always efficient. We focus on decentralized solutions, giving local municipalities and utilities the ability to operate independently. Our model provides them with financing and ensures they have long-term access to clean drinking water.

D.J.: What are the biggest challenges that municipalities and businesses face when it comes to water scarcity?
H.C.: Inertia. The "old boys’ network" of how things have always been done is difficult to change. Many decision-makers hesitate to adopt decentralized solutions because they disrupt traditional models. For municipalities, a big challenge is simply securing reliable water sources. Industrial investors—like semiconductor manufacturers or food and beverage companies—can’t even build a plant without a secure water supply. That’s where we come in, offering financing and expertise to remove those roadblocks.

D.J.: Can you share a real-world example of how your projects have made a difference in a community?
H.C.: We’ve done long-term water service agreements with municipalities in Texas, like the City of Alice and the South Texas Water Association. These agreements provide brackish water treatment to communities that otherwise face drought restrictions or high costs from centralized plants. In the Caribbean, we’ve provided reliable water treatment, as well as in Panama and Peru, which has had a direct impact on local populations and economic development.

D.J.: Your team recently secured major desalination projects in Aruba, Antigua, and Curaçao. What does that say about the demand for decentralized water solutions?
H.C.: It proves that our fully integrated model—where we both finance and operate the plants—sets us apart. Traditional EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) firms build plants but don’t finance them. Project finance firms fund water projects but lack operating expertise. We do both. That’s why we recently won projects in Curaçao and Aruba and why we’re seeing even more opportunities in 2025.

D.J.: What trends are shaping the future of water reuse and desalination?
H.C.: The trend is outsourcing. Municipalities and industries are realizing they should focus on their core responsibilities. Utilities sell water—we don’t own the water, we just provide the treatment. The outsourcing trend has long existed in oil and gas and power, and now it’s reaching the water sector. Seven Seas Water Group is at the forefront of this shift.

D.J.: How do you build trust with municipalities when infrastructure is such a complex issue?
H.C.: Water is ultimately local. We might be an international company backed by Morgan Stanley, but success comes from local relationships. That means boots on the ground, long-term partnerships, and transparency. Infrastructure isn’t a consumer good—it’s built over time. The new management team we brought in three and a half years ago focused on exactly that, and we’re now seeing the results.

D.J.: You work with a diverse range of stakeholders. What strategies have been most effective in communicating your solutions?
H.C.: Internally, we have a flat organization where people are encouraged to challenge the status quo. Externally, we work closely with customers to constantly improve solutions. Just because we lead the market now doesn’t mean we always will. We focus on being entrepreneurial and adapting to new challenges.

D.J.: Are there misconceptions about desalination or decentralized water treatment that you frequently encounter?
H.C.: Yes. A big one is that desalination is environmentally harmful. If done correctly, it’s not. The brine discharge can be managed safely, and water reuse for non-potable applications—like irrigation, toilet flushing, or air conditioning—reduces waste. Another misconception is that decentralized solutions are too expensive, but when structured properly, they’re cost-effective and more efficient.

D.J.: How does climate change affect the demand for water-as-a-service solutions?
H.C.: We don’t just have a weather crisis; we have a water crisis. Some regions experience too much water, others not enough. Decentralized solutions allow us to adapt to these shifting patterns. Even Italy is considering desalination plants now. The U.S. Southwest is facing industrial growth and water shortages, and that’s where we can step in with brackish water treatment and other sustainable solutions.

D.J.: What role does private investment play in the future of water infrastructure?
H.C.: A huge role. Public-private partnerships are the way forward. Municipalities rarely have excess cash, and while state and federal funding exists, it’s limited. By leveraging private investment, we can stretch resources further and ensure long-term infrastructure success.

D.J.: After two decades in this industry, what lessons have you learned about scaling sustainable water solutions?
H.C.: Patience. Infrastructure takes time, which isn’t always easy for someone like me who isn’t naturally patient. But hard work, persistence, and questioning the status quo are key. If you don’t have water, nothing else functions. That’s why we push to deliver the best, most reliable solutions possible.

D.J.: What advice would you give to municipalities or businesses considering decentralized water solutions?
H.C.: Compare your options. Too often, people look at new solutions in comparison to what they’ve always done rather than what’s actually the best alternative. Our model benefits municipalities, industries, and investors—everyone wins. The key is being open to new approaches.

D.J.: What factors should someone consider when choosing a water-as-a-service provider?
H.C.: Look at cost, financing options, reliability, and track record. Many municipalities don’t think about water until there’s an emergency, but long-term planning is essential. We provide engineering, design, financing, operations, and maintenance, which makes us one of the only fully integrated providers in North America.

D.J.: What steps can governments take today to ensure long-term water resilience?
H.C.: The biggest challenge is political cycles. Infrastructure projects take longer than election terms, which makes long-term planning difficult. Municipalities need to identify problems early and work with partners who can deliver reliable solutions quickly and cost-effectively.

D.J.: Where do you see the water industry in the next 5–10 years?
H.C.: I hope we move toward innovation in business models, not just technology. Water-as-a-service should become the norm, just like outsourcing in other industries. Decentralized solutions should be more widely adopted, especially in rural and suburban areas.

D.J.: Lastly, if there’s one thing you want people to take away from this conversation, what would it be?
H.C.: In business, work hard, work smart, and stick to your values. And if you need a water or wastewater solution—without massive upfront costs—Seven Seas Water Group is here to help.