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Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Matthew Pigott Matthew Pigott New York, United States Last Updated: October 2024 NAICS 23711

Revenue

$63.2bn

2024

$63.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

169k

Businesses

17,005

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry analysis

Water and sewer line construction has picked up over the past five years as more water mains, sewer systems and water treatment plants have been constructed, repaired and renovated to carry potable water to and wastewater away from residential and nonresidential buildings. Industry revenue grew at an estimated CAGR of 1.9% to $67.1 billion over the five years to 2024, including a 2.6% decrease in 2024 alone as housing starts fall along with materials prices. Overall growth was notably spurred on by historically low interest rates that incentivized capital investment early in the current period. More recently, rising interest rates and economic uncertainties drove a shift towards revenue earned from repair and maintenance projects as larger construction projects became financially unviable.

Trends and Insights

  • Though cuts have begun, still-high interest rates in an inflation-impacted economy have shifted focus to maintenance and repair from new construction. Higher rates made capital more expensive, reducing new construction projects and emphasizing the need to optimize current resources.
  • The water and sewer line construction industry has shifted from new construction to optimizing and maintaining existing facilities. Less investment is going toward sewer and septic systems, and more funding is directed toward sewage and water treatment plants.
  • Water and sewer line contractors locate near downstream markets, making the Southeast the most popular choice to set up establishments. This region also has one-quarter of the US population, making residential and utility construction activity plentiful.
  • Competitive pricing is key to attracting customers in a relatively low-margin industry. Water and sewer line contractors must also be able to deliver a wide range of services to accommodate every part of the construction process.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $63.2bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Low interest rates increased funding to water and sewer line construction projects

  • Water and sewer line contractors benefited early in the past five years from historically low interest rates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The consistent low-rate environment made it less expensive to borrow money for capital-intensive infrastructure projects, enabling companies to undertake larger and a greater number of projects.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
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Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Rebounding construction activity will benefit contractors

  • Moving forward, water and sewer line construction is set to benefit from a rise in residential and nonresidential construction.

Biggest companies in the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
CDM Smith Inc.
871.9
48.8
5.6
Aecom
606.4
26.3
4.3
McCarthy Holdings Inc.
400.0
22.4
5.6

To view the market share and analysis for all 11 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US
Products & Services
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Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Sewer lines and other sewer infrastructure , Water mains and other water supply infrastructure and Sewage and water treatment plants . Sewer lines and other sewer infrastructure is the largest segment of the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US.

Trends and Insights

Investment in water mains, storage and wells is flowing at a steady rate

  • Water mains, storage, wells and similar facilities form an essential part of the water system, spearheading the process of water collection, purification and distribution.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry comprises contractors that are responsible for the construction, reconstruction and repair of water mains, sewers, drains, aqueducts, pumping stations, treatment plants and storage tanks. It also includes construction management companies and special trade contractors that are involved in water and sewer line construction. All structures that are integral parts of water and sewer networks are included in this industry.

What's included in this industry?

Water main constructionSewer constructionDrain constructionWater and sewer line construction managementWater and sewage treatment plant constructionWater and sewer line repair and maintenance

Companies

CDM Smith Inc.AecomMcCarthy Holdings Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 11 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)CONSENT DECREEDESIGN-BID-BUILDDESIGN-BUILDCONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (CM) AT-RISKTENDERSUBCONTRACTOR

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 23711 - Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Though cuts have begun, still-high interest rates in an inflation-impacted economy have shifted focus to maintenance and repair from new construction. Higher rates made capit...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

The water and sewer line construction industry has shifted from new construction to optimizing and maintaining existing facilities. Less investment is going toward sewer and ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Water and sewer line contractors locate near downstream markets, making the Southeast the most popular choice to set up establishments. This region also has one-quarter of th...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Competitive pricing is key to attracting customers in a relatively low-margin industry. Water and sewer line contractors must also be able to deliver a wide range of services...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The industry is highly fragmented. Still, CDM Smith is a strong player with a higher-than-average amount of employees.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of CDM Smith Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Aecom's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of McCarthy Holdings Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 8 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for CDM Smith Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Aecom, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for McCarthy Holdings Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 8 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Water and sewer line contractors are subject to many installation standards and building codes. Contractors are required to maintain quality certification under ISO 9002.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Purchases are the largest cost for water and sewer line contractors. Primary purchase costs include materials, components, supplies and subcontracted labor.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in United States is $63.2bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in 2024?

There are 17,005 businesses in the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Water & Sewer Line Construction market in United States are CDM Smith Inc., Aecom and McCarthy Holdings Inc.

What does the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US in United States include?

Water main construction and Sewer construction are part of the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is CDM Smith Inc..

How competitive is the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Water & Sewer Line Construction in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Transmission Line Construction in the US

Complementors

  • Heavy Engineering Construction in the US
  • Oil & Gas Pipeline Construction in the US

International industries

  • Heavy Industry and Other Non-Building Construction in Australia
  • Heavy Industry and Other Non-Building Construction in New Zealand
  • Water Main, Sewer System & Related Project Construction in the UK
  • Dam, Harbour & Other Water Project Construction in the UK
  • Infrastructure Maintenance Services in the UK

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are Alfabank-Adres reports created?

Alfabank-Adres has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for Alfabank-Adres readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of Alfabank-Adres’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

Alfabank-Adres relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do Alfabank-Adres analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, Alfabank-Adres’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does Alfabank-Adres forecast its data?

Alfabank-Adres’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

Alfabank-Adres prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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