The Leading Utilities of the World Adds New Five Members at American Water Summit

AUSTIN, TX, USA – The Leading Utilities of the World (LUOW) network inaugurated five new members during the American Water Summit (AWS) 2017 as LUOW continues to grow across America and the world. These utilities’ solutions, in a sector where an increasing lack of funding and aging infrastructure are creating new everyday challenges, must be shared with the world to improve water utilities everywhere.

Representatives from each of the utilities presented their three innovation successes required to join the Leading Utilities of the World. The five utilities accepted for LUOW membership were:

• Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, USA (represented by Andrew Kricun, Executive Director and Chief Engineer)
• Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, USA (represented by Roger S. Bailey, General Manager and CEO)
• Environmental Services, The Regional Municipality of York, Canada (represented by Erin Mahoney, Commissioner)
• San Antonio Water System, USA (represented by Robert Puente, President and CEO)
• Watercare Services Limited, New Zealand (represented by Raveen Jaduram, CEO)

The five new member utilities were approved and accepted into the network by the LUOW Advisory Board, which in Austin included two additional honorary Advisory Board members from among the current network: Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, represented by Kishia Powell and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, represented by Martin Adams.

The Advisory Board is led by Howard Neukrug, Senior Advisor to the Global Water Leaders Group and former CEO of the Philadelphia Water Department. The Board also includes representatives from DC Water (USA), Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (USA), PUB Singapore, Water Corporation (Western Australia), Waternet (The Netherlands) and the Waterworks Bureau of Kitakyushu (Japan).

The areas of innovation covered in the presentations were many and varied from amongst the 14 innovation areas of the network, however there was a particularly strong focus on wastewater treatment and environmental impact in Austin, with four of five new members discussing their solutions in this area. By pioneering the use of cutting-edge technologies for bioenergy generation, establishing ground-breaking partnerships with the private sector to boost water supply resilience, and implementing innovative water reuse and nutrient management programmes, these utilities are at the forefront of global thinking on how to address 21st century water challenges in a way that works for everyone.

Andy Kricun, from Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority commented “the mission of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority is to optimize our environmental performance and our service to our community. We are also committed to assisting with any initiative that will improve the clean water industry as a whole.”

“This is why we are so excited, and honored, to be part of the Leading Utilities of the World. The LUOW network brings together the leading and most progressive minds of our industry in common cause to share knowledge, best practices, and innovative ideas for future improvements. A rising tide lifts all boats, and so the work of the LUOW network will definitely serve to accelerate the water industry learning curve for the greater good of the water industry as a whole, the communities we serve and our environment.”

The LUOW network will come together next during the Global Water Summit in Paris, France on 15-17 April 2018. The Summit will feature an inauguration ceremony, where five new utilities will present their successes in the network’s innovation areas, and be accepted for LUOW membership.

Find out more about the Leading Utilities of the World Network and its activities: https://www.leadingutilities.org/