List of Publicly Traded Companies Focusing on Water Technology
Analyze the performance of industrial water tech leaders in 2026, featuring innovators in PFAS remediation, smart metering, and AI-driven data center cooling.
The List of Publicly Traded Companies Focusing on Water Technology identifies the primary industrial innovators providing the infrastructure, filtration, and analytics essential for global water security. As of April 2026, the sector is being propelled by $15 billion in annual IIJA federal funding and a surge in demand for high-efficiency cooling in AI data centers. Investors tracking these industrial giants often utilize the Water Technology Industry Comparison Widget to monitor real-time backlogs and PFAS remediation revenue. From smart metering leaders to massive pump manufacturers, these firms represent the technical backbone of the broader utilities and materials markets. For a comprehensive taxonomy of related industrial players, browse our Publicly Traded Companies by Sector directory.
Key Takeaways
New EPA regulations are driving a $10B+ market for "forever chemical" filtration, with leaders like Veralto and Xylem (XYL treatment/pumps) capturing massive municipal backlogs.
U.S. smart meter penetration is targeting 60% in 2026. Badger Meter (BMI smart metering) remains the dominant pure-play in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
The AI boom has triggered a 20% CAGR in water cooling demand. Companies providing industrial chillers and cooling towers are seeing record orders from hyperscale data center operators.
Strategic M&A, such as Xylem's acquisition of Evoqua, has consolidated market power. This allows major firms to offer "end-to-end" water solutions from pumps to digital analytics.
Top List of Publicly Traded Companies Focusing on Water Technology by Market Cap (2026)
Ranking the 2026 leaders by market valuation and municipal backlog, reflecting a sector driven by federal infrastructure spending and advanced filtration needs.
| Rank | Ticker | Company | Subsector | Market Cap | YTD Growth | Muni Backlog | PFAS Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | XYL | Xylem (XYL treatment/pumps) | Treatment/Pumps | $22B | +10% | $10B | High |
| 2 | PNR | Pentair (PNR filtration leader) | Filtration | $17B | +8% | $4B | Medium |
| 3 | IEX | IDEX Corporation | Pumps/Valves | $16B | +12% | $3B | Low |
| 4 | VLTO | Veralto Corp | Analytics/PFAS | $15B | +15% | $2B | Maximum |
| 5 | BMI | Badger Meter (BMI smart metering) | Metering | $7.2B | +14% | $2B | N/A |
| 6 | MWA | Mueller Water Products | Infrastructure | $3.2B | +9% | $1.5B | Low |
| 7 | WTS | Watts Water (WTS plumbing/valves) | Flow Control | $2B | +7% | $0.8B | N/A |
| 8 | FELE | Franklin Electric | Submersibles | $1.8B | +11% | $0.6B | N/A |
List of Publicly Traded Companies Focusing on Water Technology — Complete Company List
List of Publicly Traded Companies Focusing on Water Technology Listed on Major U.S. Exchanges
Water Technology and Infrastructure: Large-Cap Stocks
- Pentair Plc. (PNR) (Water, thermal management and equipment, filtration products)
- Roper Technologies, Inc. (ROP) (Industrial Conglomerate: Medical and scientific imaging products, RF technology, water products: flow measurement and metering equipment, pumps, water meters)
Water Technology and Infrastructure: Mid-Cap Stocks
- Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. (AQUA) (IPO November 2, 2017; water treatment solutions)
- Itron, Inc. (ITRI) (Technology and services company: products that measure, manage and analyze energy and water)
- Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS) (Plumbing, heating and water quality products)
- Xylem Inc. (XYL) (Wide range of water technologies and products)
Water Technology and Infrastructure: Small-Cap Stocks
- Aegion Corp (AEGN) (Corrosion protection of industrial pipelines and products that strengthen and rehabilitate infrastructure systems)
- Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS) (Thermoplastic corrugated pipe and water management products)
- AquaVenture Holdings Limited (WAAS) (IPO October 6, 2016: water services provider)
- Badger Meter, Inc. (BMI) (Flow measurement and control products)
- Forterra, Inc. (FRTA) (IPO October 20, 2016: pipe and precast products for the water infrastructure market)
- Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (FELE) (Water and fueling systems)
- Gorman-Rupp Company (The) (GRC) (Pumps and pump systems)
- Mueller Water Products (MWA) (Water transmission, distribution and measurement products)
- Rexnord Corporation (RXN) (Process and motion control; water management)
Water Technology and Infrastructure: Micro-Cap Stocks
- Newater Technology, Inc. (NEWA) (IPO July 28, 2017; wastewater purification products)
- Northwest Pipe Company (NWPX) (Pipes, pumps and systems)
Risks & Considerations
Municipal Budget Cycles
Water tech revenue is heavily dependent on municipal spending. While IIJA provides a floor, delays in local budget approvals or shifts in federal priorities can stall project rollouts for years.
Regulatory Uncertainty (PFAS)
The $10B remediation market relies on strict EPA enforcement. Any legislative rollbacks or legal challenges to PFAS standards could significantly reduce the projected CAGR for filtration specialists.
Input Cost Inflation
Manufacturers of pumps and valves are sensitive to steel, copper, and resin prices. If raw material costs spike faster than contract price escalations, EBITDA margins across the sector may compress.
Technological Obsolescence
The shift toward digital water management and AMI means traditional hardware providers risk losing market share to tech-native firms if they fail to integrate cloud analytics into their physical products.