Cowater UK Limited

Cowater UK Limited is the United Kingdom arm of Cowater International, a private development consulting company that partners with governments, markets, and communities to deliver lasting impact through inclusive growth, stronger institutions, and resilient societies. The firm operates at the intersection of public policy, technical assistance, and on-the-ground project delivery, combining the agility of a private firm with the purpose of a mission-driven organization. Its work spans climate and environmental sustainability, water supply and sanitation, trade and inclusive economic development, and facility and fund management. Cowater International was founded in 1985 by Mike McGarry, Mark Baron, and Lyle Osland, who conceived the idea during a canoe trip in Algonquin Park, Canada. Incorporated on March 29, 1985, with headquarters in Ottawa, the company began with a major rural development project in Nepal and quickly expanded into Asia, Africa, and beyond. Over more than 40 years, it has delivered over 5,000 projects in more than 100 countries, building a reputation for technical excellence and locally driven change. Cowater UK Limited serves as the group's United Kingdom entity, connecting Cowater's global expertise to UK-based clients, partners, and funding institutions. The UK office is part of a network that includes corporate offices in Ottawa, Nairobi, London, and Manila, among others. Through this presence, Cowater UK contributes to projects in areas such as climate resilience, public financial management, water and sanitation, and economic development, often in partnership with bilateral and multilateral donors. The company's client base includes governments, international development banks, and multilateral agencies. Its projects are typically funded by institutions such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and national development agencies. Cowater UK Limited operates as a subsidiary within the Cowater International group, which remains privately held. The group's ownership structure is not publicly traded, and it continues to operate as an independent, employee- and management-owned firm. In recent years, Cowater International has been active in high-profile initiatives, including climate resilience projects in the Pacific, community-led recovery in Ukraine, and responsible mining programs in West Africa. Cowater UK Limited is positioned to leverage the group's global footprint and technical depth to serve UK and European markets, aligning with the UK's development priorities and the broader international cooperation agenda.

Cowater International was founded in 1985 by Mike McGarry, Mark Baron, and Lyle Osland, who first conceived the idea during a canoe trip in Algonquin Park, Canada. The company was incorporated on March 29, 1985, with headquarters in Ottawa. Its first major project was the K-BIRD project in Nepal, a CAD 24 million sustainable rural development initiative. 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—which marked its entry into the water and sanitation sector and introduced its first female Team Leader. 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, which became a turning point in its WASH work. Over the following decades, Cowater expanded its geographic footprint and service offerings, acquiring or merging with firms such as CRC Sogema, AECOM's international development division, Transtec, FCG, and Equity Economics. Today, Cowater International operates as a global company with over 5,000 projects delivered in more than 100 countries. Cowater UK Limited is the United Kingdom entity within this group, serving as a base for UK and European operations.

• 1993

  Community Water Project (COWAP) in Ghana: Cowater is awarded the CAD 12.5M project, funded by the Canadian government, marking a turning point in its WASH work. Implemented from 1993 to 2000.

• 1990

  Cowater Alaska is created to deliver water and sanitation solutions to remote Indigenous and northern communities, operating for ~20 years.

• 1988

  First Water Project in Pakistan: Cowater delivers the Water Supply and Sanitation Investment Plan, funded by the World Bank, marking its entry into the water and sanitation sector.

• 1987

  Breakthrough Projects in Asia: Cowater wins significant World Bank and ADB projects in Indonesia and other Asian countries, establishing credibility in audit and public financial management.

• 1985

  Cowater International Inc. is incorporated on March 29 with headquarters in Ottawa. Its first major project (K-BIRD) in Nepal, worth CAD 24M, focuses on sustainable rural development.

• 1984

  The Canoe Trip Vision: founders Mike McGarry, Mark Baron, and later Lyle Osland envision a new development firm during a canoe trip in Algonquin Park, Canada.

A global development consulting firm combining private-sector agility with mission-driven purpose, delivering locally led, sustainable solutions.

• Climate & Environmental Sustainability

  Climate mitigation, energy transition and green economy, climate adaptation, climate finance, sustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries and natural resource management.

• Sustainable Rural and Urban Water Supply, Sanitation, and Systems Development

  Water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, including infrastructure and systems strengthening.

• Trade & Inclusive Economic Development

  Customs and trade facilitation, investment climate, women’s economic empowerment, livelihoods and agriculture development, employment and labour market development, local economic development.

• Facility & Fund Management

  Facility management and expert deployment, fund management, policy dialogue facilities.

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. 4Wikidata: Cowater UK Limitedwikidata.org