CLEVELAND, OH – Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) and British Water (BW) are proud to announce a new formal partnership aimed at fostering international collaboration, accelerating market-driven water technologies, and facilitating business opportunities across the global water sector. This strategic alliance will empower both organizations to better support their stakeholders in accessing new markets and building valuable connections.

The Memorandum of Action (MoA) solidifies a commitment to facilitating business relationships, B2B meetings, and pilot projects between the two regions. A key component of this partnership will be providing "soft landing" services for British Water members looking to establish a presence in the United States, encouraging UK businesses to enter the U.S. market and contribute to regional economic growth.

Bryan Stubbs, President and Executive Director of Cleveland Water Alliance, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “One of the biggest barriers to entering a new market is proving your technology in the region’s real-world conditions. Our Water Accelerator testbeds allow companies to test and validate their solutions, and our region’s robust infrastructure makes Ohio an optimal U.S. landing spot for onshoring international water technology companies. This partnership will facilitate an open exchange of innovation from British Water's talented portfolio and pave the way for successful market entry.”

Cleveland Water Alliance is a global leader in accelerating innovation, renowned for its extensive network of testbeds and partnerships, including the Smart Lake Erie Watershed (SLEW). SLEW is the largest digitally connected freshwater body in the world, boasting over 200 sensors and a telecommunications network covering 7,750 square miles. CWA’s vast testbed infrastructure provides real-time data on water conditions, contaminants, and nutrients, offering an unparalleled environment for testing, trialing, and demonstrating cutting-edge water technology. This robust ecosystem makes the Ohio region a powerful hub for driving water innovation and attracting investment.

“By formalising our partnership with Cleveland Water Alliance, we’re reinforcing our shared commitment to driving innovation, business development, and sustainable water solutions across international markets. This collaboration builds bridges between the UK and the US, opening up new opportunities for our members and ensuring that we remain at the forefront of global advancements in water services,” noted Lila Thompson, BW’s CEO. 

Fostering these international agreements and trade opportunities is especially important amidst the current global landscape, and as the demand for innovative and sustainable water solutions continues to grow. This partnership reinforces CWA's commitment to creating a global ecosystem for water technology development and deployment, ultimately contributing to significant global business growth and collaborative innovation in the water sector.

About Cleveland Water Alliance:

Established in 2014, Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) is a world-renowned water cluster, establishing Ohio as a top global destination for freshwater innovation. Supported by robust testbed infrastructure and industry expertise, CWA leverages multi-sector partnerships to support market-driven innovation, economic impact, and sustainable solutions for regional and global water challenges.

About British Water:

‍British Water is a not-for-profit, dynamic, membership organisation that provides leadership, support and best practice and addresses the challenges faced by the UK water sector through its UK, Technical and International forums, and its neutral Water Industry Forum.