Cutting-Edge Technology, Proven Practices Merged to Save Billions for Water Industry.

(Denver, Colorado)- In a move to optimize procurement in the $40 billion water/wastewater industry, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) today announced an agreement with a leading technology provider to offer utilities the first no-cost e-marketplace for the water profession. The partnership between the world's largest water utility association and Boston-based Environmental Network International (ENI-Net) will streamline utility procurement processes and cut industry costs by up to $6 billion annually.

"To meet market demands, water and wastewater utilities recognize they need to remain competitive," said AWWA's Executive Director Jack Hoffbuhr. "The partnership between AWWA and ENI will ensure they can."

The site allows buyers and sellers to rely on proven business practices, while substantially reducing the cost of handling purchase requisitions, bid submittals, and invoices. For the first time ever, water utilities, manufacturers and service providers will be able to do business online, without the burden of any transaction or commission-based fees. To further streamline costs, large buyers can integrate their financial systems directly with the site.

AWWA launched this initiative after studying the needs of the industry for almost a year. The results show that utility professionals are very comfortable with internet purchasing and could save at least 10% through more efficient procurement processes. The new site will allow over 72,000 utilities to purchase goods and services from approximately 7,500 providers without the accompanying paperwork and red tape. The site will be launched in first quarter 2001.

"This partnership builds on the strengths of both organizations," said ENI-Net President and CEO Jay Fredkin. "Linking AWWA's 57,000 members with ENI's robust procurement platform enables water/wastewater professionals to realize both sales and procurement cost savings."

AWWA and its 57,000 members work to assure a safe, sufficient supply of drinking water for the people of North America. Its membership includes 4300 utilities that provide 200 million Americans and Canadians with drinking water. For 120 years, the Association has led efforts to advance the technology and management of drinking water resources.

ENI-Net is a leading business-to-business e-marketplace for environmental and construction related products and services used by industrial, environmental and construction organizations worldwide. ENI-Net is headquartered in Newton Centre, MA, with offices in Austin, Denver, Raleigh, and Gainesville.

AWWA/ENI-Net E-Marketplace Fact Sheet

• 75% of utility professionals have access to the internet.
• 62% of utility professionals are likely or very likely to make purchases via the internet in the next six months.
• Water and wastewater utilities in the U.S. spend almost $40 billion annually in construction, equipment and chemical costs. Canadian purchases in these sectors represent an additional $2 billion annually. (Purchase break out available)
• 72,000 buyers (55,000 water-only and combined water/wastewater systems and 17,000 wastewater-only systems) exist in North America.
• 7,500 North American service providers are currently in business.
• Procurement management is a top priority for utilities. Utilities surveyed by AWWA indicate that processing/handling related to a single purchase can cost from $100 to $300 per check issued. In addition, purchasing on an as-needed or off-the-shelf basis often forces utilities to pay substantially more for items than necessary.
• The AWWA/ENI-Net site will be based on ENI-Net's existing technological platform, already used for procurement at several large environmental engineering/construction firms. (See current site at www.eni-net.com)
• The AWWA/ENI-Net procurement exchange will be launched in first quarter 2001. It will offer:
  1. Improved buyer abilities to manage and track procurement processes.
  2. Reduced buyer procurement costs and better IT applications/integration.
  3. Reduced seller marketing/sales costs.
  4. Broader access to marketplace for sellers.
  5. Better user access to water/wastewater information and education.
• A utility advisory panel and supplier advisory panel will recommend ongoing upgrades/improvements to site architecture and functionality. The panels will include industry-leading buyers and suppliers.