Vivendi Water and Kiwa, the Dutch Water distributors Association's drinking water knowledge center, signed a partnership agreement, the first international partnership of this kind with Kiwa, which will seal a long existing cooperation between the two organisations. Vivendi Water will participate in the BTO, the Dutch joint drinking water research program.
The BTO was founded in 1972, when Dutch water companies joined forces in R&D activities. The Kiwa is responsible for the programming and execution of the BTO. The program focuses on the development of innovative tools adding value in the areas of water quality, cost-efficiency, customer satisfaction and sustainability. Research efforts focus on chemical, biological, hydrological and ecological processes, as well as economics.
Vivendi Water has been running its own R&D organisation since 1982. It develops new technologies and management tools for drinking water supply and sanitation systems as well as industrial effluents. The group's network of centres of excellence supports new services to municipalities, industry and consumers based on expectations for high quality services and environmental protection.
Vivendi Water and Kiwa started working together in the early nineties within the EWRI, a group of European water research institutes, and recently decided to further develop their cooperation.
Since the BTO deals with a wide range of activities, Vivendi Water and Kiwa have identified several R&D topics of joint interest. As a result of this new long term partnership, Vivendi Water will increasingly participate in the BTO's knowledge development teams for resource management, disinfection, and membrane technology. In addition, Vivendi Water will benefit from technological and scientific support and exchange.
Vivendi Water consolidates the activities of Générale des Eaux and USFilter. Vivendi Water is the global leader of water services and treatment systems serving all markets segments - municipalities, industrials, commercials and individual consumers. Vivendi Water serves over 100 million customers in over 100 countries. With estimated revenues of 12 billion euros for 1999, Vivendi Water employs over 70,000 people.
Kiwa Research and Consultancy is the Dutch knowledge center for water and associated ecological and environmental aspects.
Media contacts:
Kiwa
Monique van Dorst
Public Relations
+313 06 06 96 11
Vivendi Water
Anne Froger
International communication
+331 49 24 31 18
