Bob Drew, Founder and CEO, Ecovie Water Management

August 2026 —Invest: spoke with Bob Drew, founder and CEO of Ecovie Water Management, about how on-site water management is gaining traction in Tampa Bay as population growth, drought conditions, and infrastructure constraints collide. “We are seeing a lot of population growth in the Tampa Bay area, and as that happens there is stress on water systems both coming and going, meaning water supply and water discharge. It becomes an unsustainable situation,” Drew said.

What changes over the past year have most impacted Ecovie Water in Tampa Bay, and in what ways?

Over the past year in Tampa Bay, we have been working closely with local jurisdictions and developers, and to a certain extent with architects and engineering firms, to develop water solutions that reduce demand for municipal water and also reduce discharge to our waterways through wastewater treatment plants.

We are seeing a lot of population growth in the Tampa Bay area, and as that happens there is stress on water systems both coming and going, meaning water supply and water discharge. It becomes an unsustainable situation as the population continues to grow and is projected to grow for many years.

At the state level, there are incentives, and over the past year we have seen a lot more uptake by developers to take advantage of those incentives and incorporate water systems into new buildings, particularly multifamily. We are getting traction and more awareness among developers that they can achieve additional units on a property through what is called a density bonus for implementing systems like ours.

How do incentives and density bonuses change the conversation with developers and local jurisdictions?

Incentives work best when they are understood early in the project cycle. If developers and their teams know there is a clear pathway, they can plan for it, budget for it, and coordinate with design and permitting well before a shovel hits the ground.

The density bonus is a practical lever because it speaks to what developers are already optimizing for — how a site can deliver more housing while still meeting local requirements. When a jurisdiction can say there is a clear benefit for incorporating water reuse systems, it helps align private development decisions with public infrastructure needs. That alignment is a big part of why we have seen the conversation shift from curiosity to implementation.

What are the most notable developments or initiatives you have rolled out recently in the region?

We are installing systems at about six different sites in the Tampa Bay area, across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Manatee counties. Those projects range in size from roughly 50-unit parcels to 350-unit condo and apartment-type complexes.

One additional point that connects to the last year: Historically, our main focus has been on reducing wastewater discharge that can overload wastewater treatment plants and contribute to pollution in waterways. Recently, with drought conditions at least for this year, the supply side has become a more immediate concern as well, which adds pressure and creates more opportunity for on-site systems that reduce demand.

As Ecovie Water grows, how are you building the workforce to deliver projects consistently, especially with more activity in Tampa Bay?

We are in heavy growth mode and working to keep our resources aligned with the resources we know we need. In Tampa Bay specifically, we need more feet on the ground to support engineering, coordination with general contractors, and the practical work that ensures projects are delivered the way we said they would be delivered.

After installation, the work continues. We also need the capacity to work with building owners and management companies to keep systems running and make sure performance holds over time, for years to come. Growth is exciting, but it also means you have to scale in a way that supports consistent delivery and long-term accountability.

What are some challenges for your operations, and how is Ecovie Water turning those into advantages?

Supply chain has been a challenge. A major supplier for our graywater systems is in Europe, and we have dealt with pricing pressures and logistics issues, including tariffs, customs, and related delays and costs. We are looking at ways to mitigate that.

To remain competitive, we focus on delivering a capital cost that works for developers and aligns with their NPV objectives. The incentives available in Florida help make the economics work, but there is still competition, and everyone in the space is managing similar dynamics. The advantage is that these constraints force discipline: you build better processes, you anticipate lead times, and you structure projects to keep the schedule and economics viable.

From your perspective, what are the most important steps buildings and communities should take to become more water resilient?

The broader goal is to move toward a situation where regions do not face the level of water stress that is clearly coming. There are multiple solutions that can work together, and our angle is on-site water management.

At the extreme, a property can become water independent by using rainwater and water recycling inside the building. Combined, those approaches can get you closer to a net-zero condition. That does not necessarily make sense for every site, but there are practical beginner and intermediate steps that deliver meaningful impact.

You can really make quite a dent in your demand for water, as well as the discharge, by taking those steps and applying them consistently across new developments. Reductions of 40% to 50% on both sides, coming and going, are achievable. Then you multiply that across all new buildings, and it adds up to a real impact on the water situation for a region.

How does Ecovie Water engage with municipalities, utilities, and stakeholders to expand acceptance of on-site reuse, and what is working best in partnerships?

A lot of it is education and awareness. We work with authorities having jurisdiction, including permitting staff and inspectors, so they understand the basics of how systems work and what they should be looking for in the field. We have presented at conferences focused on the nuts and bolts, including considerations around water safety and plumbing requirements.

We do this county by county, and as projects move forward, people become more familiar with what we do. In some cases, jurisdictions will even refer developers to us, such as through contacts in Pinellas County or Pasco, because familiarity builds confidence and confidence drives adoption.

We are also partnering with the Florida Housing Coalition, which focuses mainly on affordable housing. We have completed a number of affordable housing projects, and we are working with the coalition on webinars and broader education. That has been positive for us, and I think for them as well, because it helps normalize these approaches and shows how they can support housing goals while improving water outcomes.

Looking ahead, what are your key goals and priorities for the next two to three years, both nationally and in Florida?

Strategically, we are looking at where the Florida approach can translate elsewhere. Florida has taken meaningful steps to incentivize adoption for properties, and those incentives have helped accelerate uptake as population growth and water supply and demand challenges intensify.

So the bigger picture question is: Where else in the United States is that combination happening, and would those regions benefit from learning more about an incentive model like Florida’s? There are other ways to structure policy and economics, but the goal is similar: expand adoption in places where the needs are acute.

We think about regions like Texas, including the Austin area, or places like the Chesapeake Bay, where water dynamics and local priorities may create a strong case. California is another focus. We have been working there for many years, and there are developments there as well.

Water is a very local thing. Supply and demand vary from region to region. Florida has hurricanes and lots of rain in the summer, which is a resource that can be leveraged differently than in other parts of the country. Our priority is to grow where the needs are clear and where on-site water management can deliver measurable value for properties and communities.