SWAN Appoints BWSSB Chairman Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar to Global Senior Utility Advisory Group; Sole Representative from India

Feb 20, 2026

Business
SWAN Appoints BWSSB Chairman Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar to Global Senior Utility Advisory Group; Sole Representative from India

VMPL
London [UK]/ Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], February 20: The Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN), the leading global voice for the smart water sector, has announced the formation of its 5th Senior Utility Advisory Group (UAG). In a proud moment for India's water sector, Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar, Chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), has been selected to join this elite global committee.
Notably, Dr. Manohar is the only utility leader from India appointed to this prestigious cohort. He joins five other global smart water experts representing utilities from Australia, Canada, Portugal, Brazil, and the US.
Advancing India's Smart Water Vision on a Global Stage
The selected UAG Members will collaborate to explore concrete utility challenges, uncover regional trends, and identify strategic research priorities. Chosen for their extensive industry contributions, this cohort will support SWAN's future planning and review global initiatives.
Dr. Manohar's exclusive inclusion is a direct global recognition of his recent Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven initiatives at BWSSB. His efforts have accelerated Bengaluru's emergence as a pioneering hub for smart water management, ensuring that India's unique water challenges and technological solutions are represented at the forefront of the global ecosystem.
*Speaking on his appointment, Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar stated* "I heartily appreciate and thank the visionary leadership of our Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri. Siddaramaiah and Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister Shri D K Shivakumar. Aligning perfectly with the Hon DCM's *'Brand Bengaluru'* vision, BWSSB has successfully adopted world-class, AI-driven technologies to elevate the city's infrastructure. I dedicate this milestone to the relentless efforts of the BWSSB technical team and staff, who execute these visionary technological projects daily to serve the citizens of Bengaluru. I personally resonate with the vision of SWAN and look forward to working closely with the UAG to drive practical solutions to the complex water challenges we face today."
The 5th SWAN Utility Advisory Group Members are:
- Dr. Ram Prasath Manohar, Chairman - Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (India)
- Zonetta E. English, Strategic Initiatives & Project Director - Louisville MSD (US)
- David Hughes-Owen, CEO - Busselton Water (Australia)
- Joana Araujo, Operations Management Centre Coordinator - Aguas e Energia do Porto (Portugal)
- Arash Farajian, Manager Field Innovation Team - Toronto Water (Canada)
- Denis Maia, Chief Customer and Technology Officer - Sabesp (Brazil)
This timely announcement builds anticipation for the SWAN 16th Annual Conference, to be held from June 2-4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. SWAN UAG Members, including Dr. Manohar, will provide strategic feedback to help shape the Conference agenda, focusing on the theme "Adapting your digital journey".
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