Cowater International

Cowater International is a global development consulting company headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. It partners with governments, markets, and communities to deliver lasting impact through inclusive growth, stronger institutions, and resilient societies. The firm combines the agility of a private company with the purpose of a mission-driven organization, and has delivered over 5,000 projects in more than 100 countries over more than 40 years. The company was founded in 1985 following a canoe trip in Algonquin Park, Canada, where founders Mike McGarry, Mark Baron, and later Lyle Osland envisioned a private-sector firm capable of delivering transformative development projects. Cowater International Inc. was incorporated on March 29, 1985, with headquarters in Ottawa. Its first major project was the K-BIRD initiative in Nepal, worth CAD 24 million, focused on sustainable rural development. Cowater's expertise spans climate and environmental sustainability, water supply and sanitation, trade and inclusive economic development, facility and fund management, and policy dialogue. It has a long history in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), beginning with a World Bank-funded Water Supply and Sanitation Investment Plan in Pakistan in 1988, which introduced the company's first female Team Leader. In the early 1990s, Cowater Alaska was created to deliver water and sanitation solutions to remote Indigenous and northern communities, and the CAD 12.5 million Community Water Project (COWAP) in Ghana marked a turning point in its WASH work. Today, Cowater International operates from offices in cities such as Ottawa, Nairobi, London, and Manila, and works across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The company is privately held and remains mission-driven, focusing on locally led development and sustainable impact.

Cowater International was founded in 1985 following a canoe trip in Algonquin Park, Canada, where Mike McGarry, Mark Baron, and later Lyle Osland envisioned a private-sector firm capable of delivering transformative development projects. The company was incorporated on March 29, 1985, with headquarters in Ottawa. Its first major project was the K-BIRD initiative in Nepal, worth CAD 24 million, focused on sustainable rural development. In 1987, Cowater won significant World Bank and Asian Development Bank projects in Indonesia and other Asian countries, establishing credibility in audit and public financial management. In 1988, the company delivered its first water project in Pakistan—the Water Supply and Sanitation Investment Plan, funded by the World Bank—marking its entry into the water and sanitation sector. This project introduced Cowater's first female Team Leader and laid the foundation for decades of engagement in Pakistan. In the early 1990s, Cowater Alaska was created to deliver water and sanitation solutions to remote Indigenous and northern communities, operating for about 20 years. In 1993, Cowater was awarded the CAD 12.5 million Community Water Project (COWAP) in Ghana, funded by the Canadian government and implemented from 1993 to 2000, which improved water, sanitation, and health and marked a turning point in its WASH work. Over the following decades, Cowater expanded its expertise into climate and environmental sustainability, trade and inclusive economic development, facility and fund management, and policy dialogue. The company has delivered over 5,000 projects in more than 100 countries. It has grown through acquisitions and mergers, with entities such as CRC Sogema, AECOM, Transtec, FCG, and Equity Economics becoming part of its history. Today, Cowater International operates globally from offices including Ottawa, Nairobi, London, and Manila, and remains a privately held, mission-driven firm.

• 1993

  Awarded the CAD 12.5M Community Water Project (COWAP) in Ghana, implemented from 1993 to 2000.

• 1990

  Early 1990s: Cowater Alaska is created to deliver water and sanitation solutions to remote Indigenous and northern communities.

• 1988

  First water project in Pakistan: delivers the Water Supply and Sanitation Investment Plan, funded by the World Bank.

• 1987

  Breakthrough projects in Asia: wins significant World Bank and ADB projects in Indonesia and other Asian countries.

• 1985

  Cowater International Inc. is incorporated on March 29 with headquarters in Ottawa; first major project K-BIRD in Nepal worth CAD 24M.

• 1984

  The Canoe Trip Vision: founders Mike McGarry, Mark Baron, and later Lyle Osland envision a new private-sector development firm.

A global development consulting firm combining private-sector agility with mission-driven purpose, focused on locally led, sustainable impact.

• K-BIRD project in Nepal

  First major project, worth CAD 24M, focusing on sustainable rural development.

• Water Supply and Sanitation Investment Plan in Pakistan

  World Bank-funded project marking entry into water and sanitation sector.

• Community Water Project (COWAP) in Ghana

  CAD 12.5M project funded by the Canadian government, implemented 1993-2000.

• Cowater Alaska

  Created to deliver water and sanitation solutions to remote Indigenous and northern communities, operating for ~20 years.

1. 1Cowater - Turning Global Challenges into Local Solutionscowater.com
2. 2Who We Are - A Global Partner For Lasting Impactcowater.com
3. 3Our History - About Uscowater.com
4. 4Wikidatawikidata.org