During the Integrated Leaders Forum at Amsterdam International Water Week (AIWW) 2023, the Leading Utilities of the World Network (LUOW) welcomed its two newest members. Representing the gold standard in utility innovation and performance, the network now comprises 70 members.

The two new members of LUOW are:
- Barwon Water, Australia (represented by Shaun Cumming, Managing Director)
- Nordvästra Skånes Vatten och Avlopp (NSVA), Sweden (represented by Ingemar Clementson, Head of Digital Transformation)

During his presentation Shaun Cumming, Managing Director of Barwon Water, focussed on the role his utility can play in community building, particularly with regard to First Nation citizens, and the work that Barwon Water have been carrying out to further their environmental sustainability and integration into the circular economy. He said he was thrilled his utility had been invited to join LUOW:

“The impacts and challenges of a changing climate are significant and the time for action is now.

“Accelerating action requires the knowledge and intelligence from the best experts around the world. Working together, through membership of LUOW, we can multiply our efforts and deliver what the world needs now.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to present on three topics: learning what it means to truly Care for Country through partnerships with First Nations people, the economic and social benefits which flow form the creation of our subsidiary Barwon Asset Solutions business; the opportunities we are unlocking in the circular economy through projects that are turning organic waste and recycled water into renewable energies and high value carbon products for agribusiness and sustainable manufacturing materials.”

Ingemar Clementson of NSVA gave a presentation on the research that his utility is carrying out, including with the state of the art RecoLab, a pilot recovery plant for sustainable management of wastewater. He said:

“As a small but ambitious utility we at NSVA recognize the need for collaboration to achieve our goals. There are many networks around the world but few that provide a space for discussions on the really big challenges with like-minded peers. By joining LUOW, we aim to exchange insights on topics spanning from climate adaptation to business models so that we can evolve in our never ending journey of always improving ourselves.”

As well as welcoming in its two new members, LUOW had the pleasure of renewing the membership of long-standing affiliate Hamburg Wasser, represented on the occasion by CEO Ingo Hannemann.

With the ongoing support of its foundation partner Jacobs, as well as new corporate sponsor Grundfos, LUOW will next be meeting in person at the Global Water Summit in London from 15th to 17th April 2024. The Summit will feature an inauguration ceremony at which more utilities will be formalising their membership to LUOW.

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