25 October, Philadelphia - The Leading Utilities of the World (LUOW) network inaugurated four new members during American Water Summit (AWS) 2018. With the newest inauguration event, the LUOW network now includes 36 members in total, all of which represent the gold standard of utility innovation and performance.

The inauguration took place on Day 1 of the AWS, and the four new utilities accepted for LUOW membership were:

•    Denver Water, USA (represented by Jim Lochhead, CEO/Manager)

•    Alexandria Renew Enterprises, USA (represented by Karen Pallansch, CEO)

•    San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), USA (represented by Paula Kehoe, Director of Water Resources)

•    Northumbrian Water Group (NWG), UK (represented by Claire Sharp, Customer Director)

The four new member utilities were approved and accepted into the network by the LUOW Advisory Board, which in Philadelphia included an additional honorary Advisory Board member from among the current network: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, represented by the Chief Operating Officer Martin Adams.

In order to join LUOW network, representatives from each of the utilities are required to present their three most outstanding innovation successes, out of 14 potential innovation areas of the network. Out of four that were inducted in LUOW at this event, three utilities had innovations in Stakeholder Engagement category, which demonstrates continuous effort of water and wastewater utilities to engage better with the customers, both by informing them about various innovations utilities are undertaking and incentivising them to rationalise water consumption. Successful campaigns in this category include Alexandria Renew Enterprises’s dual use of facilities, developing a unique mascot and improving product branding, as well as NWG’s “Every Drop Counts” and SFPUC’s “Short and steamy” educational campaigns on water conservation.

Another common theme throughout the presentations was increasing resiliency through improved energy efficiency and water resource development. For example, in order to become energy neutral by 2020, Denver Water started generating hydroelectricity in seven locations, creating approximately 60 million kWH annually, and is focusing on renewable solar energy- and other energy efficient projects. Similarly, in order to mitigate numerous challenges, such as earthquakes, aging infrastructure and droughts, SFPUC implemented four distinct initiatives: conservation, groundwater, recycled water, and non-potable water, which diversified water resources and led to tangible results. Per capita consumption is now around only 40 gallons per day per person, and over 80 projects are implementing onsite non-potable water systems.

These examples add to the variety of utility innovations already exhibited by the network’s membership, which include initiatives ranging from responses to drought, floods and water quality, to stellar financial management, business development, and productivity measures.

Karen Pallansch, CEO, from Alexandria Renew stated: “Alexandria Renew Enterprises is honoured to be selected as a member of the Leading Utilities of the World network. As a public wastewater utility focused on innovation and continuous improvement, we know that our organisation -- and ultimately our customers -- will benefit from the best practices and ideas shared among our peers in the network.”

The LUOW network will next come together at the Global Water Summit in London, on 8-10 April 2019. The Summit will feature the next inauguration ceremony, where five 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: www.leadingutilities.org

_______

Notes to Editors:

Leading Utilities of the World (LUOW) is a network of the world's most forward-thinking water and wastewater utilities, as defined by the network’s 14 distinct innovation areas. Its members represent the Gold Standard of utility innovation and performance throughout the developed world’s water sector.

LUOW is an initiative of the Global Water Leaders Group, a non-profit organisation of water utility leaders, aiming to create a better story for water worldwide. For enquiries regarding the Global Water Leaders Group, contact the Secretary General, Samantha Yates at sy@globalwaterleaders.org.

The LUOW network will next come together at the Global Water Summit in London on 8 – 10 April 2019. Find out more about the summit agenda here: http://www.watermeetsmoney.com/.

For enquiries regarding corporate membership in the LUOW network, contact our team here.

Press contact: Ana Budimir (abudimir@globalwaterintel.com), Water Leaders Ltd, Suite C, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford OX1 1XX, UK. Tel: +44 1865 204208 www.leadingutilities.org/