Water Services Corporation's use of geographical information system (GIS) technology has won it a special achievement award at an international conference in California.
WSC was one of 167 organisations to win, beating a field of an estimated 300,000 eligible candidates.
The award, handed out by market leaders Esri at its annual user conference, recognised WSC's innovative application of technology, data collection, geospatial information visualisation, and thought leadership through GIS in the field of water utilities.
Esri staff nominate thousands of candidates annually from around the world for consideration and company president Jack Dangermond selects the finalists.
"A Special Achievement in GIS Award recognises best practices for organisations implementing technology to change the world. Highlighting good work benefits the entire GIS community and that’s very valuable,” said Mr Dangermond.
WSC developed several GIS-centric solutions and integration platforms to support various operations in areas such as advanced metering management, water distribution networks, waste water management, water quality optimisation, water project management, asset management and customer care amongst others.
CEO Charles Brincat said that the corporation was extremely proud to have been recognised as a leader in the field of IT-related technologies within the water & wastewater industries.
He said the efforts would have a huge positive effect on consumers and WSC operations.
WSC produces around 30 million cubic metres of water every year by means of three reverse osmosis plants as well as underground sources, serving more than 420,000 people in Malta and Gozo.
It is currently advising water authorities in Beirut, Lebanon about leakage reduction techniques.
A national project to produce second-class water from treated sewage effluent for use in industry and agriculture is now in its final stages, and the WSC has also produced a mobile polishing plant capable of treating such water even further, for use in disaster-hit areas.
The corporation also supports a number of experimental projects such as diesel production from algae and the effects on the taste of crops of different types and qualities of water.