Agenda 2019 – Day 2

With the future of seawater desalination back on the agenda in Israel, Yitsik Marmelstein, Head of Energy and Water Unit, Infrastructures and Projects Division, Ministry of Finance discusses the countries approach to tendering projects and the timescale in place for projects beyond Soreq 2, as well as the most productive angles for international private sector cooperation for water and wastewater infrastructure in years to come.

As Egypt’s population approaches 100 million and economic growth rate exceeds 5%, the need to invest in water infrastructure is becoming increasingly urgent. Ahmed Kamal Moawed explains how and why Egypt is becoming one of the biggest markets in the Middle East for desalination and wastewater treatment facilities.

Nigeria has moved up 24 places in the World Bank’s latest report, so it is likely to experience a decrease in funding from concessionary finance. This will add to an existing investment deficit in the country, due to rapidly increasing needs for both drinking water and wastewater services. Benson Ajisegiri unpacks Nigeria’s water finance needs and the potential ways of meeting them.

Morocco is going to need large and sustained investments in drinking water to satisfy and secure its growing population’s needs. Khalid Tahri shares his perspective on the technologies needed to satisfy the thirst of the Moroccan water sector.

In Nairobi, around 70% of the population is connected to the centralised grid while the poorest citizens still have to rely on small-scale providers. Manging Director of Nairobi Water and Sewerage Corporation explains the plans for addressing the large water and sanitation needs of the rapidly growing population.

The largest city in Europe is facing growing pressures from changing demographics and climate change. To respond to these pressing challenges, the water and wastewater utility in Istanbul is plotting a radical overhaul of its infrastructure base, relationship with the private sector and smart water management. Deputy General Director Metin Akbas discusses his strategy for change.

It will take 16 years and $2 billion to achieve LA’s bold target for 100% wastewater reuse. LADWP’s Martin Adams and Richard Harasick explain how they are planning to completely take the waste out of wastewater.

From Brazil providing small desalination units in rural areas, to Chile greenlighting Latin America’s largest desalination plant, the region of more than 650 million people is a growing market for desalination. Andres Zancada and Felipe Aravena explore how desalination could be part of comprehensive water planning in the region.

The Uzbek water sector has signalled it is open for business. With development money flowing into the country it represents the most promising market for international water businesses in central Asia. Ekaterina Miroshnik explains what is needed to ensure successful PPPs are in place.

What do Taiwan’s reuse developments mean for its Water Resources Strategy towards 2031? Under pressure to serve industrial water demand, the Taiwanese government’s plans to increase reuse capacity from 424,000 m³/d in 2015 to 1,320,000 m³/d by 2031 are well underway. Dr Lai Chien-Hsin and Mr Chen Jyh-Woei share the next stages of Taiwan’s wider water and sanitation strategy including specific technology needs, smart NRW management and resource recovery prospects.