European investment group Eurazeo will acquire a majority stake in Water Direct, the UK’s leading provider of alternative water supply solutions for utilities, businesses and the public sector.

Headquartered in Colchester, Essex, Water Direct delivers a broad portfolio of essential services, including potable water tankering, bulk and bottled-water logistics and supply, and temporary water infrastructure, along with WaterTight, the company’s flagship resilience-as-a-service assurance solution.

Founded in 1996, Water Direct has grown to become the UK leader in alternative water solutions, setting new standards for maintaining uninterrupted access to clean, safe water during planned works and incidents.

By leveraging cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and an expanding national network, Water Direct delivers reliable solutions that strengthen resilience across industries, utilities, and communities across the country.

Eurazeo’s investment, through Eurazeo Transition Infrastructure Fund (ETIF), will support Water Direct’s next phase of growth by accelerating the expansion of its fleet and logistics network, and strengthening its digital capabilities. The partnership is designed to enhance the resilience and reliability of water supply for customers nationwide, supporting both routine operations and emergency response.

The transaction marks the eighth investment made by the Eurazeo Infrastructure team. Through this investment, Eurazeo continues to advance its sustainability objectives by supporting both climate mitigation and adaptation while ensuring access to clean water.

Melissa Cohen, co-head infrastructure at Eurazeo, said:

“Water Direct has become a trusted partner to utilities and businesses by providing essential resilience services and maintaining consistently high service standards. We see significant long-term potential in supporting the company’s next phase of sustainable growth, and we look forward to working with the team as it expands both its offering and its coverage.”

Adam Johnson, chief executive of Water Direct, added:

“This partnership is a strong endorsement of the critical services our customers rely on every day. With Eurazeo’s backing, we will scale responsibly, expanding capacity, strengthening our nationwide response capabilities and continuing to invest in digital innovation, all with the aim of delivering an even better customer experience across our diverse client base.”

Eurazeo, which is listed on Euronext Paris, is a leading European investment group with €37.4 billion in diversified assets under management, including €28 billion on behalf of institutional and retail clients through its private equity, private debt, real estate and infrastructure strategies.

The Group supports more than 600 mid-market companies, leveraging the commitment of its 400-strong workforce, in-depth sector expertise, access to global markets through 14 offices across Europe, Asia and the United States, and its responsible approach to value creation based on growth.