About the network
Leading Utilities of the World is a global network of the world’s most forward-thinking water and wastewater utilities. Our members represent the gold standard for innovation and performance across the developed world’s water sector, collectively serving more than 300 million people on every continent.
By recognising achievement and providing a platform for sharing ideas, we help drive performance across the sector. Water utilities are often fragmented and locally focused, and their brilliant innovators — the Apples and Intels of the water world — can too easily go unnoticed. Our mission is to make sure they don’t.
Membership brings recognition that becomes a political asset and a source of local pride, helping to create a virtuous circle of engagement, investment, and continuous improvement. It also encourages a broader shift toward higher performance across the industry.
To join, prospective utilities must demonstrate excellence in at least three of our fourteen Innovation Areas, which apply across the full breadth of water and wastewater utility challenges in economically developed countries, regardless of local social, political, environmental, or regulatory contexts.
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The Global Water Leaders Group
Leading Utilities of the World is an initiative of the Global Water Leaders Group, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to telling a better story for water worldwide. The Group also leads the 300 Water Leaders Initiative, which focuses on accelerating progress toward SDG 6 by extending safe water and sanitation services to an additional 300 million people around the globe.
The advisory board
The Advisory Board is composed of six leading utilities from around the world and chaired by Howard Neukrug, former CEO of the Philadelphia Water Department and Senior Advisor to the Global Water Leaders Group.
Board members nominate and select new utilities for inauguration into the Leading Utilities network, and their leadership-level representatives participate in all Leading Utilities events, offering feedback to newly inducted members.
These utilities are recognised for exceptional performance and innovation across the network’s fourteen Innovation Areas. Forward-looking and internationally collaborative, they set the benchmark for excellence and share their expertise to help raise standards across the global water sector.