MDS-Aqualia joins global utilities network

MDS-Aqualia has joined Leading Utilities of the World, becoming the only privately operated U.S. utility in the international network. The move connects the Texas water and wastewater operator with peers in 31 countries as it looks to share storm-response and growth-management expertise and bring back global best practices.

Why it matters: - MDS-Aqualia’s membership gives the Texas utility operator a seat in a global forum focused on water reliability, resilience and innovation. - The recognition highlights a U.S. private utility in a network that includes some of the world’s largest public water providers. - The company can now exchange lessons from Texas with utilities serving more than 300 million people across 31 countries.

What happened: - MDS-Aqualia joined Leading Utilities of the World during WEFTEC 2026 in New Orleans. - The network welcomed MDS-Aqualia as its only privately operated U.S. utility member. - Leading Utilities of the World now includes 89 member utilities.

The details: - MDS-Aqualia serves communities across Texas and operates water and wastewater systems for Municipal Utility Districts. - The company says its experience in Texas includes service in one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. and in an environment shaped by hurricanes, floods, droughts and extreme weather. - The company will participate in collaborative work on infrastructure resilience, asset management, operational efficiency, digitalization, water reuse and workforce development. - MDS-Aqualia expects to share practices from Texas and bring global methods back to local communities to improve long-term water security and service reliability. - LUOW members include PUB Singapore, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Berliner Wasserbetriebe and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. - Houston Water, Austin Water and San Antonio Water System are already represented in the network. - Sam Dennis, program manager for Leading Utilities of the World, said Texas utility operations are increasingly relevant as climate change affects more regions and the network wants to learn from hurricane and flood response.

Between the lines: - The membership gives MDS-Aqualia international visibility while reinforcing the company’s role as a private-sector Texas operator with storm-response and growth-management experience. - The network appears to value utilities that operate under extreme weather and rapid expansion pressures, not just large urban systems. - Rebecca Marcucci, senior executive vice president of MDS-Aqualia, said the company wants to exchange ideas with global peers while sharing lessons from growth, infrastructure and water-resource challenges in Texas.

What's next: - MDS-Aqualia will take part in LUOW initiatives and peer exchanges with member utilities around the world. - The company plans to apply global best practices to Texas operations and community service. - MDS-Aqualia will continue focusing on water and wastewater reliability, infrastructure management and long-term resilience across Texas.

The bottom line: - MDS-Aqualia’s entry into Leading Utilities of the World elevates a Texas private utility into a global network built around operational excellence and resilience.