Meet the 2026 CSU Recognised Utilities

The International Water Association and Xylem, are pleased to share the results of the fifth edition of the IWA Climate Smart Utilities Recognition Programme.

The 2026 Recognition Programme raises awareness of the steps being taken by water and sanitation utilities operating in challenging conditions to respond to climate change. This year’s edition recognises ambitious and innovative utilities under two different categories (Achiever and Entrant) that are leading the way towards a low-carbon water and sanitation sector, embracing the shift needed to adapt to and mitigate climate change. The Entrant category is designed for utilities that are at the early stages of their Climate Smart journey. The Achiever category is intended for utilities that have made substantial progress in their Climate Smart journey and are actively implementing and scaling solutions. The 2026 edition is sponsored by Xylem.

A total of 152 applications were received from utilities around the world, representing a diverse range of contexts, challenges and approaches to climate action. Following an initial assessment, 45 applications were shortlisted for further consideration and subsequently reviewed by an independent expert jury.

Each shortlisted application was reviewed independently by three expert jury members. Following this robust review process, 41 utilities have been recognised as Climate Smart Utilities. This recognition is based on an IWA-defined framework, under which an application is considered Climate Smart when the majority of jury members assess it as sound, credible and worthy of sharing with the wider IWA community.

Of the 41 recognised utilities, 21 were recognised in the Entrant category and 20 in the Achiever category. Among these, three utilities were identified as Outstanding in the Entrant category and four as Outstanding in the Achiever category, in recognition of particularly strong applications and practices.

The seven Outstanding utilities were awarded full registration to attend the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Glasgow. In addition, Outstanding utilities from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) received full sponsorship to attend the Congress, supporting their participation and ensuring that their experiences and climate-smart practices can be shared with the global water community.

The results of the 2026 Climate Smart Utilities Recognition Programme, Entrant category, are:

• GS Inima Brasil, Brasil - Outstanding
• Manila Water Philippine Ventures - Estate Water Group, Philippines - Outstanding
• Nakuru Water & Sanitation Services Company (Nawassco), Kenya - Outstanding
• Aguas De Saltillo, Mexico
• Balibago Waterworks System, Inc. (Bwsi), Philippines
• Bogotá Water And Sewerage Company (Empresa De Acueducto Y Alcantarillado De Bogotá), Colombia
• Boracay Island Water Company Inc., Philippines
• Dapas - Dirección De Agua Potable, Alcantarillado Y Saneamiento Del H. Ayuntamiento De San Luis Potosí, Mexico
• Eswatini Water Services Corporation, Eswatini
• Gwalior Municipal Corporation - National Institute of Urban Affairs, India
• Kpulí Voltando Terra, Ecuador
• Kru Gjakova, Kosova
• Lagos Water Corporation, Nigeria
• Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company, Zambia
• Murang'A Water And Sanitation Company Limited, Kenya
• Namibia Water Corporation Limited, Namibia
• National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Sri Lanka
• Northwest Jerusalem Joint Service Council (Nwj), Palestinian Authority
• Oslo'S Agency for Water and Wastewater Services (Oslo Vav), Norway
• Perumdam Tirta Moedal Kota Semarang, Indonesia
• Wajir Water And Sewerage Company, Kenya

The results of the 2026 Climate Smart Utilities Recognition Programme, Achiever category are:

• PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency, Singapore  - Outstanding
• Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.P.A. (SMAT), Italy - Outstanding
• United Utilities Plc, United Kingdom - Outstanding
• Zhongyuan Environmental Protection Co., Ltd., China  - Outstanding
• Aegea Saneamento, Brasil
• Águas Do Douro E Paiva, S.A., Portugal
• Águas E Energia Do Porto, Portugal
• Aguas Andinas, Chile
• Baguio Water District, Philippines
• Berliner Wasserbetriebe, Germany
• Copasa, Brasil
• Eldoret Water And Sanitation Company, Kenya
• Indah Water Konsortium, Malaysia
• Kakamega County Water And Sanitation Company Limited, Kenya
• Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia
• Saguapac, Bolivia
• Sistema De Agua Potable Y Alcantarillado De León (Sapal), México
• Suzhou Industrial Park Qingyuan Hong Kong and China Water Co., Ltd, China
• Taiwan Water Corporation, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
• Water Corporation of Western Australia, Australia

A unique recognition opportunity

The fifth edition of the initiative expanded its offering and recognition opportunities to engage utilities at different stages of their climate journey. It recognised utilities that are already making substantive progress in advancing climate action, while also creating opportunities for utilities that have prioritised climate action and are at the early stages of their Climate Smart journey. This approach aimed to broaden participation and raise awareness of the significant potential of water utilities to advance climate mitigation, adaptation and leadership.

Selected utilities were formally recognised during a dedicated session at the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition on 8 October 2026 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Outstanding utilities from both the Achiever and Entrant categories were sponsored to attend the Congress, providing them with an opportunity to engage with the international water utility community and connect with peers at the Utility Leaders Forum. The Forum also provided a platform for utilities to deliver technical presentations, share practical solutions and exchange experiences on navigating the complex challenges facing the water sector today.

As next steps, recognised utilities will be part of the CSU Community of Practice — a growing global community of utilities and water professionals working together to accelerate climate action and resilience in the water sector. Through this community, they will have opportunities to connect with peers, share experiences and solutions, learn from others, and contribute to shaping the future of climate-smart water utilities

Follow the Climate Smart Utilities Initiative and be updated on more opportunities for utilities. We invite you to join the discussions on our community of practice page on IWA Connect Plus.