The International Association of Waterworks in the Danube Region (IAWD) organized a webinar today, June 17, 2020, on the topic “Benchmarking program for waterworks in the Danube region” via a video link.

For the past seven years, the IAWD has been networking water utilities and wastewater utilities dedicated to improving their services through knowledge sharing and benchmarking with other utilities in the region. A new phase in the cooperation between the utility companies participating in this program was initiated by the use of the newly developed IAWD platform for benchmarking of the utility companies, all with the aim of further strengthening the exchange between the utility companies. To improve understanding and interest in the program, IAWD organized this promotional event where the program and its benefits were presented.

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, it became clear how and why the rapid and continuous exchange of knowledge through online cooperation between companies providing water supply services can be of great importance for the safety of citizens, local communities and entire countries. This webinar used tools that have proven valuable in providing exchange support between operators providing water supply services in these difficult times.

Participants in this online event were water companies, national water associations from the Danube region, representatives of the IAWD, then representatives of the International Financial Institutions (IFI), including the World Bank.