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Cleantech Innovation

Decentralized Water Treatment as a Service

Seven Seas Water Group's CEO on building, financing and running decentralized water treatment for municipalities and industry, plus desalination and reuse.

Mar 20, 2025

About this episode

Water is scarce where it’s needed most. Some regions face droughts, while others struggle with infrastructure and unreliable access. Traditional, centralized water systems—costly and slow to adapt—aren’t keeping pace.

Enter Henry Charrabé, CEO of Seven Seas Water Group, which is rethinking how water is delivered. Through the water-as-a-service model, the company builds, finances, and operates decentralized treatment systems, offering a sustainable, long-term solution without the upfront burden.

We discuss how decentralized systems are reshaping the water industry, the limits of traditional infrastructure, and the role of private investment. Plus, Charrabé shares insights on desalination, water reuse, and what it takes to make water truly accessible.

👤 Interview with Henry Charrabé

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.

📝 Full episode transcript

👉 Follow Seven Seas Group:

Website: https://sevenseaswater.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seven-seas-water/

00:00
Dunya Jovanovic:
Hello Henry, and welcome to the Green New Perspective podcast.

Henry J. Charrabé:
Good morning. How are you?

Dunya Jovanovic:
I'm good. I hope you are too. And I hope our audience is ready for a nice chat about what you do and what Seven Seas Water Group does.

Q: Can you tell us a bit more about your background and what led you to Seven Seas Water Group?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Sure. I started with Seven Seas Water Group in September 2021. 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 came out of a company where I was the founding CEO, RW Water. It was solely funded by Ronald Lauder.

We eventually merged with an Israeli-based wastewater tech company called MFC and became Fluence. I kind of fell into this industry. I worked for Mr. Lauder for many years, and one day he decided to invest in water. He saw it as the oil of the 21st century, and also the key to peace in the Middle East. I was fortunate to be part of a team that built a global water treatment tech company, always focused on the decentralized space.

01:40
Q: What does Seven Seas Water Group actually do for those unfamiliar?

Henry J. Charrabé:
We focus on what I believe is the holy grail of water and wastewater treatment: water-as-a-service. We own the trademark for this model. All our assets are owned and operated by us. Customers don’t make huge upfront capital investments, they pay over time, much like a mortgage.

Everything is under one umbrella. We finance, design, build, own, operate, and maintain the plants. We're leaders in this space, managing over 230 water and wastewater assets.

02:36
Q: How does your decentralized water system address water scarcity?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Decentralized systems inherently address scarcity by bringing solutions to areas that centralized systems overlook. Traditional infrastructure is highly energy inefficient and often impractical for smaller communities. Our decentralized model empowers local municipalities and utilities to be independent while providing them with reliable, sustainable water.

03:26
Q: What are the biggest challenges municipalities and businesses face with water scarcity?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Inertia. The "old boys' network." The industry is stuck in the mindset of "this is how we've always done things." That resistance to change makes it hard for decentralized models to gain traction. There's a lot of re-education required.

For municipalities, the challenge is sourcing reliable treatment. For industries, whether it's semiconductors, power, or food and beverage, water is essential infrastructure. Without a water plan, you can’t build a plant. We help by offering off-balance-sheet financing and partnering closely to optimize outcomes.

04:39
Q: Can you share a real-world example of your impact on a community?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Sure. In Texas, we’ve done long-term water service agreements with the City of Alice and the South Texas Water Authority. We provide brackish water treatment, helping them combat drought and high-cost centralized systems. This independence also enables them to resell water to industrial clients.

We’ve also done significant work in the Caribbean, Panama, and Peru. Our systems have provided reliable water that supports both sustainability and economic growth.

05:48
Q: Your team secured major desalination projects in Aruba, Antigua, and Curaçao. What does this signal about demand for decentralized water solutions?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Yes, we won bids in Curaçao and Aruba and built several plants in Antigua. These wins prove our strength as a fully integrated provider. Most companies either build or finance, but not both. We do both, in-house. This makes us more competitive and able to deliver unmatched value.

07:09
Q: What trends are you seeing in water reuse and desalination?

Henry J. Charrabé:
The trend is toward outsourcing. Municipalities and industries are focusing on their core missions and letting experts handle water. It's similar to what happened in oil and gas or power, outsourced service contracts became the norm. Water is finally catching up, and we're at the forefront of that transition.

08:12
Q: How do you approach marketing and building trust with decision-makers?

Henry J. Charrabé:
All water is local. Despite being an international company backed by Morgan Stanley, trust must be built locally. These are sensitive infrastructure projects, and you need boots on the ground, strong relationships, and time. Our new leadership team has focused on rebuilding the company and our business development pipeline. That’s now starting to pay off.

09:30
Q: What communication strategies have been most effective for your diverse stakeholders?

Henry J. Charrabé:
We maintain a flat organization and challenge the status quo. “We’ve always done it this way” is poison. We encourage internal and external stakeholders to ask why and push boundaries. That mindset allows us to improve continuously and stay ahead of the curve.

10:51
Q: Are there common misconceptions about desalination or decentralized systems?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Absolutely. People often believe desalination is environmentally unfriendly, but if you manage the brine discharge correctly, it’s not. You can even reuse it for non-potable needs like flushing and irrigation.

Another misconception is that decentralized solutions are too expensive. If structured well, they can be more cost-effective and flexible than centralized models.

12:08
Q: How is climate change affecting demand for water-as-a-service?

Henry J. Charrabé:
We don’t have a weather crisis, we have a water crisis. Too much water where we don’t need it, not enough where we do. Climate change is creating new areas of need. Even places like Italy are considering desalination. In the U.S., brackish aquifers are now essential water sources. Decentralized water-as-a-service is part of the solution.

13:22
Q: What role should private investment play in future water infrastructure?

Henry J. Charrabé:
A huge one. Public-private partnerships are essential. Municipalities rarely have surplus cash. Federal and state funds can cover core infrastructure, but private capital can help build, finance, and maintain advanced water systems. That’s how we stretch dollars and accelerate progress.

14:23
Q: What have you learned about scaling sustainable water solutions?

Henry J. Charrabé:
It takes time and patience, two things I’m not naturally great at. But the key lesson is to outwork the competition, go the extra mile, listen better, and never settle. There’s no “win-win” unless both the customer and provider find mutual value.

15:28
Q: What advice would you give municipalities or businesses considering decentralized water?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Evaluate options based on future needs, not past practices. Our model works because no one loses: municipalities get reliable water, we deliver returns to investors, and everyone benefits. If you compare it fairly, you'll see it's often the best choice.

16:39
Q: What are key factors to consider when choosing a water-as-a-service provider?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Look at cost per cubic meter and available financing. Compare timelines. Water issues become urgent fast, so planning is critical. We offer a comprehensive package, engineering, financing, maintenance, with proven results. With over 230 systems, we have a depth of experience others can’t match.

18:10
Q: What can local governments do today to ensure long-term water resilience?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Start planning now. Political cycles don’t match infrastructure timelines. Leaders must identify needs early, explore viable providers, and act decisively. If not, they’ll face emergencies with limited options, and citizens don’t want to hear excuses when water runs out.

19:21
Q: How do you see the water industry evolving over the next 5–10 years?

Henry J. Charrabé:
I hope we see more innovation in business models than in tech. Water-as-a-service is key. We need more direct access between providers and municipalities, with accountability built in. Decentralization will grow, especially in rural and suburban areas.

21:04
Q: Are there any exciting innovations or projects ahead for Seven Seas?

Henry J. Charrabé:
Yes. We don’t do R&D in the traditional sense, we focus on business model innovation. We use proven RO tech, cartridges, and filters but integrate them into a standardized, robust design. We're renegotiating existing contracts and growing our pipeline. 2024 has been a strong execution year, not just an inflection point.

22:14
Q: What’s the one thing you want listeners or viewers to take away from this conversation?

Henry J. Charrabé:
On a personal level, work hard, stay grounded in your values. Success may take longer that way, but it’s more sustainable. From a business perspective, if you need water or wastewater treatment and don’t want to pay upfront, contact us. We’re also hiring, so if you’re an engineer looking for purpose, we’d love to hear from you.

23:27
Dunya Jovanovic:
That’s a wrap. Henry, thank you for being our guest on the Green New Perspective podcast.

Henry J. Charrabé:
Thank you for having me.

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