The national sewerage services provider was among four companies that had been shortlisted for the accolade in the Public Water Agency of the Year category.
The other three were Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office of the Philippines, Mekorot, the national water company of Israel and Budapest WaterWorks of Hungary.
The award is given in recognition of a service provider’s achievements on a global level. IWK has been recognised for its sustainability efforts in the operational, financial and environmental aspects.
It has been singled out for having made the biggest difference in the provision of water and wastewater services as well as for its efficiency in managing the utility in 2022.
CEO Narendran Maniam, who received the award on behalf of IWK in Berlin, said the recognition would drive the company to continue to strive for excellence, especially in the advancement of environmental conservation in line with Malaysia’s commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
IWK has achieved a 97% compliance rate in its management of effluents in more than 7,000 treatment plants across the country.
The company has also made improvements in its collection of dues as well as financial performance to drive the effectiveness of its business operations, Narendran said.
IWK has begun to implement green initiatives such as water reclamation, biogas energy generation, organic fertiliser production from sludge and solar energy programmes.
Narendran expressed his gratitude to the finance as well as natural resources, environment and climate change ministers, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), board members, stakeholders and customers for their support.
The Global Water Awards was held in conjunction with the Global Water Summit 2023 where 800 industry players ranging from policymakers, utility leaders and investors to industrial water users, innovators and contractors got together to address common challenges.
The ultimate objective is to transform their performance in the areas of organisational change, climate resilience, operational efficiency and financial autonomy.
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