INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER (drilling wells, obtaining fluids in general from wells E21B; pipe-line systems in general F17D)

Description

E03B covers systems and methods for sourcing, gathering, and transporting water for supply purposes. This includes water intake structures, collection facilities, storage reservoirs, pumping stations, and distribution networks that deliver water from natural sources or treatment plants to users. The classification encompasses both above-ground and underground infrastructure, such as wells, boreholes, aqueducts, pipelines, and associated control or measurement devices. Related sewerage and wastewater treatment systems are addressed separately in other E03 subclasses.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass E03B recorded 29,084 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,196 in 2013 to 2,669 in 2023 (+123%), peaking at 3,884 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class E03 are NEOPERL (934 applications), GROHE (870 applications) and TOTO (646 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings