New AWWA award recognizes Utilis for innovative water solution

To advance innovative thinking and best practices within the water sector, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) recently presented its inaugural Innovation Award to service provider member Utilis.

Utilis, founded in 2013, developed a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology that lowers the cost of detecting potable water leaks. The company has operations in Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom.

The new Innovation Award was established by AWWA’s Manufacturers/Associates Council (MAC) to fulfill the vision of the Association’s Innovation Initiative, which highlights resources and strategies that encourage collaboration and innovation among technology providers, consultants, academic, regulators and utilities.

“Utilis is honored and humbled to be the first ever recipient of an award from such a prestigious leader in the industry,” said Elly Perets (pictured left), Utilis CEO. “AWWA continues to value innovation as a key mechanism for utilities to address the challenges of aging infrastructure, and we are happy to contribute to the digital transformation of water utilities.”

The annual award is open to service provider members, as well as individual and utility members, who inspire or implement an innovative idea, best practice or solution to a challenge facing the sector.

“The MAC supports AWWA’s efforts to bring together the water community to advance solutions to complex industry challenges, and that’s why we decided to establish an Innovation Award that highlights this priority,” said Kristin Kihs, MAC chairperson. “As our first recipient, Utilis exemplifies a service provider’s use of innovation to provide a game-changing solution for the sector.”