Water utilities across the world are at the forefront of service delivery to customers and consumers. Their role and importance cannot be overemphasised for achieving a 24-hour-a-day uninterrupted supply of good quality potable water, and safe treatment of wastewater and stormwater at an affordable price. IWA’s new five-year strategy recognises their importance and we are committed to being the natural home for utilities around the globe.
The Utility Leaders Forum, in Toronto, Canada, in August 2024, provided a unique opportunity for utility leaders to exchange views, network, and access insights in a setting designed by utility leaders for utility leaders. The forum was an overwhelming success and focused on three key topics: building water security and resilience; utility breakthroughs on climate adaptation; and utilities working to improve the circular economy.
I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the forum’s organising committee for its commitment and dedication in delivering a valuable event, and providing a great opportunity for engagement, networking and collaboration. This is the hallmark of our globally respected IWA brand. Utility leaders in Toronto also had the opportunity to express their views on their needs and expectations of IWA. Sincere thanks and appreciation to all delegates who shared their thoughts, which will form the foundation of new offerings from IWA to satisfy the needs of all utility members.
Water utilities face many challenges, while customer and consumer expectations are increasing. Customers and consumers expect utilities to be properly governed, managed, and staffed with the best expertise for them to rise to the challenges and impacts of climate change – and any other risks to sustainable service delivery. Therefore, utilities are expected to mitigate all conceivable risks to satisfy customers’ needs.
To this end, utilities need to embrace digitalisation, mobilise innovative technology, review planning and strategic asset management, drive efficiencies, and reduce the carbon footprint of their operations. The circular economy is a socio-economic paradigm to which water utilities must adapt if ambitions to achieve global climate goals are to be achieved. The water sector needs to play a leading role through increased reuse and recycling, and the creation of new products for the market.
Water scarcity is not a new phenomenon for large parts of the world. Through the decades, water utilities have adapted successfully with access only to minimal resources. Climate change and population increases have created additional challenges for sustainable water and sanitation provision. During the past decade, countries such as the Netherlands and the UK have experienced unprecedented water scarcity and are now engaging in innovative projects to address this risk. Many leading utilities are focused on proactive interventions to assure water security by reducing leaks, recycling water for reuse, transforming waste into value added products, and adopting technologies such as water efficient sanitation systems.
The role of IWA is to inspire change and create impact by ensuring water utilities have access to the latest knowledge and technologies, by sharing information to the benefit of utilities and their stakeholders. Utility leaders need to interact, connect and engage with their peers and colleagues across the globe to gain access to best practices that will empower them to improve their utilities.
IWA recognises the leading role it needs to play as a membership organisation for utility members, and is in the process of reviewing and improving to enhance value propositions and services for utilities. This is an exciting time for IWA and water utilities. I am confident that, together, we can build resilient and sustainable water utilities that will inspire the confidence of customers and consumers across the world.
Hamanth Kasan, President, IWA
