Global Water Intelligence (GWI) announced the winners of the 2017 Global Water Awards that were presented on 24th April, Monday, at the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid. Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of the Black Swan, presented the ceremony.
Mr Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a former trader risk specialist, statistician, and essayist, delivered an informative speech on antifragile, and placing great emphasis on the importance of “evolution, adaptation and improvement from small mistakes”. Drawing on his experiences gained as a trader, Taleb suggested that we should “train mentally to face a big, unforeseen crisis by being exposed to small mistakes and disruption”. Ron Keating, CEO of Evoqua, also joined him on the stage.
Multiple awards were presented to The Leading Utilities of the World, the latest initiative from the Global Water Leaders Group, and is the Gold Standard for utility performance worldwide. Sponsored by CH2M, the inaugural meeting took place on the 24th of April, where six utilities presented their achievements and an advisory board – who all represent utilities with impeachable records detailing innovation and performance – accepted them into the network. The trophies were awarded to Mr Howard Neukrug, Advisory Chair of The Global Water Leaders Group advisory board, and the new members taken into The Leading Utilities of the World.
The winners of the 2017 Global Water Awards are:
Water Company of the Year
Winner: Acciona Agua
Distinction: Kurita Water Industries
Desalination Company of the Year
Winner: Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction
Distinction: Utico
Smart Water Company of the Year
Winner: Suez
Distinction:Xylem
Breakthrough Water Technology Company of the Year
Winner: Water Planet
Distinction: Emefcy
Water/Wastewater Project of the Year
Winner: Perth Groundwater Replenishment Scheme, Australia
Distinction: Antarctic Reuse Project
Industrial Water Project of the Year
Winner: Co-op Refinery Complex, Canada
Distinction: ETHYDCO ZLD Plant, Egypt
Municipal Water Project of the Year
Winner: Yanbu 3, Saudi Arabia
Distinction: Az-Zour North 1, Kuwait
Industrial Desalination Plant of the Year
Winner: Escondida SWRO, Chile
Distinction: Sadara SWRO, Saudi Arabia
Water Deal of the Year
Winner: Vista Ridge Pipeline Financing, United States
Distinction: Barka 4 IWP Financing, Oman
Water Leaders Award
Winner: Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, Kenya
Distinction: Water Authority of Fiji
Water Technology Idol
Winner:Mattershift
In the Global Water Awards, subscribed readers of GWI magazine, Water Desalination Report and individual members of the International Desalination Association (IDA) are given the opportunity to vote. Additionally, delegates who registered for the Early Bird Discount are also able to vote.
Sponsors for the Global Water Awards included, but are not limited to: Acciona, Almar Water Solutions, Cadagua, Doosan, Suez, and GE Water.
Evoqua is the event sponsor.
