Form 8-K
8-K — Energy Recovery, Inc.
Accession: 0001421517-26-000050
Filed: 2026-05-28
Period: 2026-05-28
CIK: 0001421517
SIC: 3559 (SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC)
Item: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits
Documents
8-K — erii-20260528.htm (Primary)
EX-99.1 — EX-99.1 - PRESS RELEASE DATED MAY 28, 2026 (ex991-pressrelease2026x0528.htm)
GRAPHIC (er_logoh4c.jpg)
GRAPHIC (erii-20260528_g1.jpg)
XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT (R1.htm)
8-K
8-K (Primary)
Filename: erii-20260528.htm · Sequence: 1
erii-20260528
0001421517FalseMay 28, 202600014215172026-05-282026-05-28
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 28, 2026
ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 001-34112 01-0616867
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1717 Doolittle Drive, San Leandro, California 94577
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(510) 483-7370
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value ERII The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Departure of President and Chief Executive Officer
On May 25, 2026, Mr. David Moon informed the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Energy Recovery, Inc. (the “Company”) of his intention to accelerate his previously announced retirement and resign from all positions within the Company, including as President, Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board, effective on May 26, 2026. Mr. Moon’s decision to resign from the Company was not related to any disagreement with the Company's management or the Board on any matter related to the Company's operations, policies or practices.
Appointment of Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
On May 26, 2026, the Board appointed Mr. Alex Buehler, age 51, to serve as the Company’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer to serve in these positions until a permanent successor is appointed by the Board. Mr. Buehler will retain his board seat during the transition but will step down from the Compensation and Audit Committees, including his role as Audit Committee Chair. Mr. Arve Hanstveit has been appointed as the new Audit Committee Chair.
Mr. Buehler brings deep familiarity with Energy Recovery and the water industry. Mr. Buehler served as Energy Recovery’s CFO from 2011 to 2014 and has been a member of the Board since 2015. Mr. Buehler most recently served as CEO of Integrated Water Services from October 2022 to October 2025, as Interim CEO of LiqTech International from March 2022 to September 2022, and earlier as President and CEO of Brock Group from February 2021 to December 2021. Prior to that, Mr. Buehler held many executive level roles at various industrial and infrastructure companies. He currently serves as a Chairman of the Board for LiqTech Systems and previously served as a Board member for Viscount Systems. Mr. Buehler received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Buehler’s compensation in connection with his role as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company has not yet been determined, and will be set by the Company’s Compensation Committee at a later date, at which time the Company will file an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K to disclose the material terms.
There are no family relationships between Mr. Buehler and any of the executive officers or directors of the Company, and there are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Buehler and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as an officer of the Company. There are no actual or proposed related party transactions with Mr. Buehler that are reportable under Item 5.02 of Form 8-K and Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
On May 28, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Buehler’s appointment. A copy of such press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number Description
99.1
Press Release, issued by Energy Recovery on May 28, 2026
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Energy Recovery, Inc.
Date: May 28, 2026 By: /s/ William Yeung
William Yeung
Chief Legal Officer
EX-99.1 — EX-99.1 - PRESS RELEASE DATED MAY 28, 2026
EX-99.1
Filename: ex991-pressrelease2026x0528.htm · Sequence: 2
Document
Exhibit 99.1
Energy Recovery Announces Appointment of Alex Buehler as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — May. 28, 2026 — Energy Recovery (Nasdaq: ERII), a global leader in energy-efficient technology enabling affordable, reliable water and reduced emissions, today announced that current Board of Directors member Alex Buehler has been named Interim President and CEO, effective immediately, until the permanent position has been filled.
For personal reasons, President and CEO David Moon has decided to accelerate the timing of his previously announced retirement. The Board thanks Mr. Moon for his contribution to the company and wishes him well in retirement.
As previously announced, the Board has engaged a leading executive search firm to conduct a search for the company's next CEO and will evaluate all qualified candidates, internal and external.
Mr. Buehler brings deep familiarity with Energy Recovery and the water industry. He served as Energy Recovery’s CFO from 2011 to 2014 and is a current member of Energy Recovery’s Board. Mr. Buehler most recently served as CEO of Integrated Water Services and earlier as Interim CEO of LiqTech International, which specializes in advanced membranes and filters composed of silicon carbide ceramics. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for LiqTech Systems and previously served as a Board member for Viscount Systems.
Mr. Buehler received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Buehler will retain his Board seat but step down from his positions on the Compensation and Audit Committees, including his role as Audit Chair. Director Arve Hanstveit has been appointed as Audit Chair.
About Energy Recovery
Energy Recovery (Nasdaq: ERII) designs and manufactures world-class energy-saving technology for critical infrastructure that communities rely on every day, driving a more resilient and sustainable future. Grounded in more than 30 years of leadership in the desalination industry, today we use our proprietary pressure exchanger technology to help customers in multiple industries improve their operations and lower their emissions. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, we operate manufacturing and R&D facilities throughout California, with sales and on-site technical support available globally.
Investor Relations
ir@energyrecovery.com
Press Inquiries
pr@energyrecovery.com
GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC
Filename: er_logoh4c.jpg · Sequence: 6
Binary file (17365 bytes)
Download er_logoh4c.jpg
GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC
Filename: erii-20260528_g1.jpg · Sequence: 7
Binary file (41405 bytes)
Download erii-20260528_g1.jpg
XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
XML
Filename: R1.htm · Sequence: 9
v3.26.1
Cover
May 28, 2026
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type
8-K
Document Period End Date
May 28, 2026
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code
DE
Entity File Number
001-34112
Entity Tax Identification Number
01-0616867
Entity Address, Address Line One
1717 Doolittle Drive
Entity Address, City or Town
San Leandro
Entity Address, State or Province
CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code
94577
City Area Code
510
Local Phone Number
483-7370
Written Communications
false
Soliciting Material
false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer
false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer
false
Title of 12(b) Security
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol
ERII
Security Exchange Name
NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company
false
Entity Central Index Key
0001421517
Amendment Flag
false
Entity Registrant Name
ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_AmendmentFlag
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Area code of city
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_CityAreaCode
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Cover page.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_CoverAbstract
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
For the EDGAR submission types of Form 8-K: the date of the report, the date of the earliest event reported; for the EDGAR submission types of Form N-1A: the filing date; for all other submission types: the end of the reporting or transition period. The format of the date is YYYY-MM-DD.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_DocumentType
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:submissionTypeItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Name of the City or Town
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Code for the postal or zip code
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Name of the state or province.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:stateOrProvinceItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityCentralIndexKey
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:centralIndexKeyItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityFileNumber
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:fileNumberItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:edgarStateCountryItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityRegistrantName
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:employerIdItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Local phone number for entity.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_LocalPhoneNumber
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 13e
-Subsection 4c
+ Details
Name:
dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14d
-Subsection 2b
+ Details
Name:
dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Title of a 12(b) registered security.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b
+ Details
Name:
dei_Security12bTitle
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:securityTitleItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection d1-1
+ Details
Name:
dei_SecurityExchangeName
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:edgarExchangeCodeItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14a
-Subsection 12
+ Details
Name:
dei_SolicitingMaterial
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_TradingSymbol
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:tradingSymbolItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Securities Act
-Number 230
-Section 425
+ Details
Name:
dei_WrittenCommunications
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration