Watercare Receives Gold Standard for Utility Performance at USA Water Summit
Watercare has been given a gold standard for utility performance and was inducted into the Leading Utilities of the
World (LUOW) at the recent American water Summit held in Austin, Texas
The award recognises Watercare’s outstanding achievements in overall utility productivity, stakeholder engagement, as
well as wastewater treatment and environmental impact.
Watercare chief executive, Raveen Jaduram says: “This award really is something to be proud of. It means Watercare is
now part of a network of 22 of the world's most forward-thinking water and wastewater utilities.
LUOW is an initiative of the not for profit Global Water Leaders Group. The aim is to create a global network of the world’s most successful and innovative water and wastewater utilities to
help drive performance across the sector by recognising achievement, providing a network for sharing ideas, and
inspiring others to improve.”
Watercare did not apply for the award, LUOW members must first be nominated by other gold-standard utilities and
complete a rigorous interview and selection process. Each nominated utility presents three innovation success stories,
which are evaluated by the LUOW Advisory Board. The Board includes representatives from Philadelphia, Washington DC and
Milwaukee water and wastewater utilities, plus others from Singapore, Western Australia, The Netherlands, and Japan.
As part of the selection process, Jaduram referred to Watercare’s restoration of Puketutu Island, near Mangere
Wastewater Treatment Plant as an example of an innovative solution to achieve economic, social, environmental and
cultural outcomes.
The volcanic cones of the island disappeared as a result of quarrying. Watercare is filling the former quarry with
biosolids from the nearby treatment plant, instead of trucking them away —saving fuel, money and reducing carbon impact.
Once the work has been in 30 to 35 years’ time, the island will have regained the original contours the area will serve
as a recreational reserve for all of Auckland to enjoy under the ownership of mana whenua.
ENDS