Smart Water Magazine Bimonthly 18

Filtralite ®

Pure

FILTERING THE WATER FOR TOMORROW

With its unique porosity, Filtralite® Pure filter media offers optimum conditions for water to flow through the filter bed in order to retain more contaminants. This feature, main characteristic of the lightweight expanded clay material, allows for larger volumes of water to be filtered through the same volume as contact area is increased. Water management facilities can thereby increase their output without having to rebuild and expand existing facilities simply by replacing the conventional filtering media with Filtralite products.

• Increased water output without expanding existing facilities

• Savings on operation costs

• A sustainable solution for water filtering

• An easy to implement product

FROM THE EDITOR

THE MIDDLE EAST: BECOMING THE CRADLE OF WATER INNOVATION

The Middle East has emerged as a global leader in water innovation, particularly in the fields of desalination, water and wastewater treatment and the decarbonisation of the water sector. Situated at the crossroads of three continents, the Middle East faces unique challenges when it comes to water scarcity, making it imperative for the region to develop groundbreaking solutions to sustain its growing population and meet its water demands.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the most water-scarce region in the world. Furthermore, the World Bank estimates that MENA nations are at risk of facing the greatest economic loss from water shortages due to climate change, which by 2050 could account for 6 to 14 per cent of GDP. Therefore, this has led the nations of the Middle East to embrace a new and disruptive way of conceiving ideas and making them a reality when it comes to water.

Desalination has become a cornerstone of water supply in many Middle Eastern countries, allowing the region to meet its water needs. By adopting avant-garde desalination methods and

PUBLISHER

iAgua Conocimiento, S.L.

utilizing renewable energy sources, desalination projects in the area have reduced their carbon footprint and embraced sustainability, becoming in this way, pioneers of this water process worldwide.

The Middle East has also made significant strides in the realm of water and wastewater treatment. With an increasing focus on environmental sustainability and water conservation, the region has implemented cutting-edge technologies.

Off-the-charts thinking is needed to make every drop count in the Middle East. To make the region’s audacious water goals a reality, the top water players are hired to continuously challenge the boundaries of technological possibilities and human ingenuity in order to bring these innovative ideas to fruition.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Laura Fernández Zarza

Paula Sánchez Almendros

Olivia Tempest Prados

Cristina Novo Pérez

Smart Water Magazine Bimonthly 18 examines the latest trends and the most disruptive water solutions implemented in the area by analysing groundbreaking projects, such as Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and its focus on renewable energy and brine beneficiation and the development of some of the largest desalination projects in the world.

The protagonist of this issue, Julio de la Rosa, Business Development Director, Middle East at ACCIONA’s water business, speaks to SWM in an exclusive interview about the company’s latest activity in the region and its essential contribution to the development of sustainable desalination solutions.

MANAGEMENT

Alejandro Maceira Rozados

David Escobar Gutiérrez

EDITOR

Alejandro Maceira Rozados

ADVERTISING

Javier de los Reyes

ART AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

Pablo González-Cebrián

Esther Martín Muñoz

Olivia TempesT - Editor in ChiEf of SWM D @olivia_tempest - E olivia.prados

C/ José Ortega y Gasset, 22-24, planta 5, 28006 - Madrid info@iagua.es

CONTENTS NUMBER 18 - JUN/JUL 2023

INTERVIEW FEATURE ACCIONA’S STRATEGY IN MIDDLE EAST

Pg. 18 SWM interviews Julio de la Rosa, Business Development Director, Middle East at the water business of ACCIONA.

INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

RO TO MEET DECARBONISATION GOALS

Pg. 32 In this interview with Mark Hedges (EWEC) we learn how water projects are contributing to the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative.

FUTURE-PROOFING DESALINATION

Pg. 76 Learn how desalination plants can enter the digital age with minimal risk and optimise their operations with Siemens solutions.

MAKING THE MOST OF BRINE

Pg. 48 Christos Charisiadis shares his thoughts about the beneficiation of saline effluents from desalination plants and the potential of ZLD.

CONTENTS NUMBER 18 - JUN/JUL 2023

OPINION INTERVIEW INTERVIEW FEATURE FILTRALITE MEDIA AT WORK

Pg. 54 The implementation of Filtralite media at the Beni Saf desalination plant in Algeria allowed energy savings in the pre-treatment area.

ACHIEVING WATER POSITIVITY

Pg. 30 We hear from Alejandro Sturniolo from H2O Innovation about the Water Positive framework, which was developed by 50 professionals.

SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS AND MOTORS

Pg. 58 Focusing on pumping solutions and optimizing water cycle management, Ingeteam Water makes every water drop count in the Middle East.

MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Pg. 24 Veolia Water Technologies uses its cutting-edge technologies to assist the Middle East region tackle its pressing water challenges.

FEATURE

TECHNOLOGY TO TREAT PFAS

Pg. 44 Concerns about PFAS have led to an increased focus on remediation: ECT2’s regenerative technology has been treating PFAS since 2013.

INTERVIEW

GROUND-BREAKING

WATER PROJECTS

Pg. 36 We had the opportunity to speak with Fady Juez, Metito Managing Director, about some the company’s unique recent initiatives.

OPINION

TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS

Pg. 100 Water utilities can gain insights into usage, detect leaks and optimise their systems with solutions like AMI and targeted interventions.

INTERVIEW

AFFORDABLE FLOATING DESALINATION

Pg. 68 Desalination buoys can provide competitively priced water to coastal communities and industries without compromising the environment.

INTERVIEW

THE PATH TO WATER SECURITY IN THE ME

Pg. 96 We hear from Jemima Oakey, expert on the Middle East about the intricacies of water security in the world’s most water scarce region

INTERVIEW

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS MEET DESAL

Pg. 80 Smart Water Magazine speaks with Sada Krishnan, Global Growth Officer-Water at Envirosuite, about the company’s game-changing technology.

OPINION

CONSERVING

THE WATER SUPPLY

Pg. 94 Cities are turning to technology to optimise the way they manage and conserve water and deal with the threat of water shortages.

INTERVIEW

WAITING FOR A WASH REVOLUTION

Pg. 110 Dr Charlotte MacAlister discusses the first-ever Global Water Security Assessment by UNU-INWEH, and the progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

CONTENTS NUMBER 18 - JUN/JUL 2023

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE KEY PLAYERS OF THE WATER SECTOR

FEATURE

JABEGA SYSTEM: SEEING INSIDE PIPES

Pg. 84 This innovative solution by Aganova helps obtain information on conflict spots in water networks without interrupting the service.

INTERVIEW

ACHIEVING DIGITAL SUSTAINABILITY

Pg. 88 As companies implement their digital transformation strategy, it is important to avoid the obsolescence of existing systems.

WMO ANNOUNCES SECRETARY-GENERAL

Pg. 42 Prof. Celeste Saulo, director of Argentina's National Meteorological Service, will become the first female Secretary-General of the WMO.

NBS FOR WATER EFFICIENCY

Pg. 101 Nature-based solutions can change the way we manage water resources, supporting the transition to sustainable and circular sanitation.

PERSON OF THE MONTH OPINION INTERVIEW

RENEWABLES MEET DESALINATION

Pg. 64 We hear from Dr Jauad El Kharraz. Executive Director of the RCREEE, about the integration of renewable energies in desalination.

FEATURE

A WATER SECURE FUTURE FOR EGYPT

Pg. 102 Dr Hassan Aboelnga explores the challenges Egypt faces to finance its water sector on its journey to a prosperous and water-secure future.

MEET THE NEW FACES IN THE MOST IN

In this section we have compiled the most important appointments that have taken place recently, and entail taking up a position or role within influential entities (public, private or mixed) in the water sector.

PIETRO

Moro has played a crucial role in driving the company’s expansion and business growth throughout the Middle East and Türkiye

Xylem has announced the appointment of Pietro Moro as the new Managing Director for the Middle East and Türkiye. In addition to his current role as Sales and Customer Service Director, Moro will now lead the Middle East and Türkiye.

In a LinkedIn post, Xylem said that Pietro Moro will focus on driving the company’s continued growth and utilizing the skills of its talented team to help solve complex water challenges: “We are confident that his leadership will have a positive impact on both our company and our customers”.

His primary focus will be on the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, which represent significant growth markets for Xylem. This appointment follows the promotion of Naji Skaf, who will now serve as President of MEIAA (Middle East & Türkiye, India, Africa, Australia & New Zealand) for Xylem and will oversee enabling functions across emerging markets.

Commenting on his appointment, Moro said: “I am excited to lead our exceptional team in furthering the impactful work already accomplished, ensuring a more resilient and prosperous future for the region.”

Pietro has been with Xylem since 2011 and brings over 16 years of experience in leading multinational teams across various functions such as sales, strategy, engineering, customer service, and quality. His extensive expertise in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa makes him a valuable asset to Xylem’s team.

MORO

PIETRO MORO NAMED AS THE NEW HEAD FOR XYLEM MIDDLE EAST & TURKEY

MENTS _ FLUENTIAL WATER SECTOR ENTITIES

Brown and Caldwell appointed industry leader Pam Elardo as a senior advisor to help water and wastewater agencies overcome the challenges facing the utility of the future.

With four decades of environmental engineering experience, Elardo has served as a public sector executive responsible for leading large-scale, complex wastewater utilities to protect public health and the environment. She has managed organizations with annual multimillion-dollar capital and operating budgets and directed optimization efforts at utilities operating more than a dozen wastewater resource recovery facilities (WRRF), creating clean water and valuable resources from billions of gallons of wastewater daily.

Earlier in her career, Elardo gained valuable operational experience from roles that included WRRF plant manager, asset management program leader, and environmental regulator implementing the Clean Water Act. Passionate about water and equity, she has been involved with international non-profit organizations serving communities facing dire water and sanitation issues.

As a senior advisor within Brown and Caldwell’s utility performance practice, Elardo will leverage her experience and connections to create sustainable and equitable improvements in clients’ organizations while boosting the firm’s reputation as a technical leader in utility optimization. She will identify and develop solutions to help utilities navigate evolving environmental regulatory and climate challenges, optimize business practices, and create strategic plans to build resilient systems.

PAM ELARDO

PAM ELARDO APPOINTED SENIOR ADVISER BROWN AND CALDWELL

Based in Seattle, Washington, Elardo is a licensed professional engineer and a certified wastewater treatment plant operator

ALVARO MARZULLO

Marzullo will be responsible for the development and operations in Brazil, both for production plants and commercial operations

ALLEN LI

Allen Li, will lead Bentley Systems in its next phase of growth, leveraging local and partner resources

GF FGS, the leader in providing solutions for the safe and sustainable transport of fluids and a subsidiary of GF Piping Systems, announced that Alvaro Marzullo Bonnefont joined as new Managing Director for Brazil as of 1 June 2023.

With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mackenzie University and a Master of Business Administration from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), Alvaro Bonnefont has over 25 years of experience in the management of multinational companies focusing on profitable growth and value creation through innovation and strategy. He assumes the position with the mission to lead all aspects related to production and sales operations, which includes the implementation of the strategy for Brazil as well as the development of new market segments.

“Our goal is to strengthen GF FGS throughout the national territory and in Latin America. We are supporting our customers with high-quality, innovative, and sustainable solutions that offer reduced installation time, and greater flexibility,” says Bonnefont.

For 2023, the company’s strategy is to continue to grow and strengthen its relationship with its customers and business partners. GF FGS will invest in the structure of factories in Cajamar (SP) and Recife (PE), with the expansion of their production line, and the development of local products for different markets. The goal is to expand the capacity and establish their factories as the central supply hubs not only in Brazil but also in Latin America and other regions.

Bentley Systems, announced that Allen Li has been appointed to the new role of General Manager, China, reporting to Chief Revenue Officer Brock Ballard. Allen Li has had a long executive career at enterprise software leader SAP, including as Chief Operating Officer, China. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s in Technology Management at Harbin Institute of Technology, and then an Executive MBA from University of Mannheim Business School.

While Bentley’s infrastructure engineering offerings have become well-established in major design institutes and owner organizations, the company is also pursuing substantial growth opportunities as a platform for software development and distribution by Chinese entities. Allen Li has end-to-end responsibility for all of Bentley’s business in China, including recent and potential future joint ventures to offer local Chinese products leveraging Bentley technology.

Bentley Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Cumins said, “China is unique in the world for the scale and digital advancement of its infrastructure engineering, meriting a unique approach in go-to-market. We welcome Allen Li as General Manager, a new role within our organization. His experience leading initiatives to ‘regionalize’ enterprise software in China will be instrumental to Bentley’s forward-looking priorities there.”

Allen Li said, “I am very impressed by the strength of Bentley’s product-market fit and its technology leadership for infrastructure engineering in China to date.”

BENTLEY SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES ALLEN LI HAS JOINED AS GENERAL MANAGER, CHINA

ALVARO MARZULLO JOINS GF FGS AS MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR BRAZIL

Pär Dalhielm is the new EurEau President, leading Europe’s water services with the ambition to strengthen our voice in the coming political debates and policymaking.

Pär was elected by his peers at the General Assembly meeting in Prague on Friday 26 May. He is the CEO of Svenskt Vatten, the Swedish national organisation for drinking water and wastewater services.

“The water sector is a relevant, competent and determined partner for when the EU and member states are defining and striving for a greener and greater future” outlined Dalhielm.

“The EU’s Green Deal is a window of opportunity to protect our water resources and tackle pollution at source. It also puts pressure on the water sector to contribute to a more holistic approach to protecting our environment. We are a proactive and ambitious partner in meeting new challenges, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 at the latest and using our full circular economy potential” he continued.

EurEau also elected new Committee Chairs and an executive board. The full Executive Committee will be composed of Mariano Blanco Orozco (AEAS, Spain), Claudia Castell-Exner (DVGW, Germany), Karl Cilia (Water Services Corporation, Malta), Stuart Colville (Water UK), Sandis Dejus (Latvian Water and Wastewater Works Association), Luigi del Giacco (Utilitalia, Italy) and Klara Ramm, (IGWP, Poland). Alain Gillis (Belgaqua, Belgium) remains as treasurer. All parties take up their new positions from 1 July 2023.

AECOM appointed Zuliana Mawani as the vice president and operations manager for its Water business in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In this role, Ms Mawani will provide business leadership and direction, including staff management, project oversight, and client relations management to achieve quality, safety and client satisfaction targets.

With over 20 years of water consulting experience, Ms Mawani brings a wealth of expertise to AECOM’s Water team. As a design engineer focused on municipal wastewater treatment for most of her career, she honed her skills in process evaluation, optimization and plant modelling, as well as process and mechanical design. Recognized for her collaborative management approach and problem-solving skills, she has consistently delivered outstanding solutions to her clients on major water projects across the GTA and Ontario.

Having previously worked at AECOM from 2003 to 2012, Zuliana’s return reflects the value she places on the company’s culture of technical excellence and the opportunity to contribute to its continued growth. “I am thrilled to return to AECOM and once again partner with the firm’s amazing clients across the region,” said Ms Mawani. “I look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of the Water business line and the exciting work that lies ahead.”

Ms Mawani’s long history of working in the Canadian water business includes playing a leadership role in winning and delivering some of the GTA’s largest and most complex water treatment projects.

PAR DALHIELM

The European Federation of National Associations of Water Services elects a new president, committee chairs and Executive Committee

ZULIANA MAWANI

ZULIANA MAWANI APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT FOR GREATER TORONTO AREA WATER BUSINESS AT AECOM

Ms Mawani is a Professional Engineer in Ontario and obtained a Masters of Water Resources Engineering from the University of Waterloo

PAR DALHIELM ELECTED NEW PRESIDENT OF EUREAU

Phoslock Environmental Technologies webinar

Phoslock® is very safe and has been successfully applied in over 320 projects around the world

As one of the most widespread and challenging environmental issues worldwide, an in-depth analysis of this problem is top of mind for water managers. This is why Smart Water Magazine in collaboration with Phoslock Environmental Technologies, organized a live webinar titled Phosphorus pollution control: insights into Phoslock applications on Thursday, May 25th, 2023, in which nutrient pollution was analysed in depth by two water remediation professionals.

What is nutrient pollution?

This form of water pollution occurs when an excess of nitrogen and phosphorous flow into water bodies, causing undesirable changes to aquatic systems. While it is a natural phenomenon, human activity can accelerate it, for example, a surge from industrial, urban and agricultural activities accelerates this phenomenon, known as eutrophication, in lakes, streams and coastal waters.

Cristina Novo, Technical Editor at Smart Water Magazine, moderated the online event and in her introductory speech highlighted that nutrient pollution remains a serious prob-

lem in many waterbodies and continues to be difficult to get under control. Phosphorus can be retained within waterbodies and cycled from the bed sediments to overlying waters through internal loading. This way, continued poor water quality can delay recovery for potentially decades, leading to the deterioration of lake structure and function and ultimately biodiversity loss.

About Phoslock Environmental Technologies (PET)

Cristina Novo introduced Damian Whelan, General Manager at Phoslock Environmental Technologies, who began his presentation by introducing his company. Based in Australia, Phoslock Environmental Technologies (PET) offers water treatment and remediation solutions to address excess nutrients in water bodies. The firm’s flagship product, Phoslock®, was originally developed by the Australian national science agency (CSIRO) more than 20 years ago.

During his presentation, Whelan explained a bit about how the company works: “We are an Australian company headquartered in Melbourne helping to solve global water quality

Phoslock Environmental Technologies (PET) offers water treatment and remediation solutions to address excess nutrients in water bodies

problems. Addressing growing environmental, economic and human health challenges. We’ve been doing this successfully for over 20 years with our proprietary technology originally developed by CSIRO.”

Phoslock® is an in-lake remediation solution made of Lanthanum-modified bentonite, used to aid quicker recovery times in lakes suffering from internal loading, by reducing phosphorus concentrations in the water column and reducing the amount of phosphorus released from lake-bed sediments.

Whelan also highlighted during the presentation that Phoslock® has been extensively assessed by independent experts. He said: “More than 150 peer-reviewed scientific papers have reported on the efficiency and environmental impact profile of Phoslock treatment.” Furthermore, the solution has been successfully applied in over 320 projects around the world. Currently, the firm is active in Canada, the United States, Australia, where its headquarters are located, New Zealand and several European countries, including the UK, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium.

Whelan said: “Strong independent and scientific validation is a key requirement for not only our clients but governments and regulatory authorities.”

Phosphorus, a global issue

Next, Dr Kate Waters-Hart, Group Manager, Aquatic Science at Phoslock Environmental Technologies, began her presentation focused on phosphorus pollution. Although phosphorus is an essential nutrient, an excess amount in surface water can lead to the explosive growth of aquatic plants and algae. Waters-Hart continued by saying that “elevated phosphorus concentrations in freshwaters are contributing to changes in their structure and function which are leading to unprecedented loss of freshwater biodiversity.” This is particularly worrying, she said because phosphorus demand in the agricultural sector

is predicted to double by 2050. Moreover, losses of phosphorus from wastewater to freshwaters are set to increase globally by up to 70 per cent by 2050, according to the latest research.

Not only is phosphorus pollution worrisome causing fish kills and harm to other aquatic life, but it is also expensive to control once it has been released into the environment. Dr Kate Waters-Hart pointed out during her presentation that management costs of nutrient pollution in the United States are estimated at US$2.2 billion a year, a figure which has surely increased in these last years. “By 2080, we are expected to see loss by more than 400 million pounds due to climate warming in the UK alone,” highlighted Waters-Hart.

She next went on to speak about the directives that have been set up globally to safeguard freshwaters, but also trying to improve them. For example, in Europe, the Water Framework Directive. Even so, Dr Kate Waters-Hart stressed that “40% of lakes even under directives such as the EU one, are failing ecological water targets and more than 83% of freshwater habitats in the EU are classed as unfavourable.”

What is Phoslock® and how it works

Dr Kate Waters-Hart explained the various technologies, physical solutions like sediment dredging, and physical and biological methods that currently exist on the market to remove excess phosphorus. These solutions according to Waters-Hart also had various disadvantages depending on the type of water body they were applied to. She then introduced the company’s flagship product, Phoslock®, which consists of

Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus entering the air and water, poses a persistent threat to drinking water sources, ecosystem health, human health and outdoor recreation worldwide. And is an issue that is increasingly hard to solve.

Nutrient pollution occurs when an excess of nitrogen and phosphorous flow into water bodies, causing undesirable changes to aquatic systems

lanthanum-modified bentonite. Phoslock® works by utilising the ability of lanthanum to react with phosphate. Removal of phosphate by lanthanum has a molar ratio of 1:1 which means that one ion of lanthanum will bind with one ion of phosphate. This binding forms the mineral Rhabdophane (an insoluble and biologically inert compound) which strips phosphate from the water. She then highlighted that “Phoslock is not a chemical, it is a geo-engineered product.” The nature of the bond between lanthanum and phosphate is such that it will not be broken under any naturally occurring pH range (pH 4-11).

Dose calculation was later on discussed. The speaker mentioned that they look at how much total phosphorus concentration is in the water column, factoring in external factors. “The primary target of Phoslock is to control the phosphorus release of sediment.” To do this, the company does various sequential phosphorus extractions. There are several application techniques that can be used depending on the water body in question, for example, large or small scale.

Case studies

Waters-Hart then showcased several of the company’s success stories, including in The Netherlands, in Kralingse Plas, an

artificial lake in Rotterdam. This case study is particularly important for the company as it is PET’s largest application to date. She then also mentioned a successful application in Germany, in a recreational water lake and in an artificial excavation lake in a commercial park. PET has also worked in Lake Elmo in Finland and in the UK.

“There was a paper published looking at 18 different kinds of lakes two years post-treatment and they reported a significant reduction of phosphate and phosphorus following the applications of Phoslock,” said Waters-Hart during her talk.

Dr Kate Waters-Hart also spoke about Phoslock’s ecotoxicity profile. This is an assessment that assesses the hazard potential of existing or new environmental chemicals regarding the ecosystem. She said that the highest Phoslock® TLa concentrations do not exceed the EC50 values of the various pelagic and benthic test organisms, therefore, there is no risk to aquatic life as the concentration is low. “Phoslock is very safe to use and there is no report that it has any effects on aquatic life,” she said.

Conclusion

To conclude, Waters-Hart mentioned that in the cases where Phoslock was applied, there was a reduction of both phosphate and phosphorus across different lake types, with either high lake alkalinity or low alkalinity. The company also noted long-term phosphorus removal without an ecotoxic impact.

The webinar finished with a question-and-answer session in which Whelan and Waters-Hart responded to the questions raised by the audience. The various questions included various topics, such as how the Phoslock solution worked with dredging, the kind of lake modelling used by the company and if the firm’s solution is safe for the lake ecosystem.

Not only is phosphorus pollution worrisome causing fish kills and harm to other aquatic life, but it is also expensive to control

BUSINESS

JULIO DE LA ROSA

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, MIDDLE EAST AT THE WATER BUSINESS OF ACCIONA

quartered for the region since then, continuing with Business Development and all that this entails in terms of supporting the different departments, liaising with clients and partners and identifying new healthy opportunities of interest to the Company in terms of investment, execution and operation.

ACCIONA, a global leader in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy solutions, opened its first Middle East office in Dubai in 2008. It has since then developed its business activities throughout the Gulf region and other Arab countries, committed to technical excellence and creating a positive impact.

Companies like ACCIONA are having a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable water future in the Middle East. With extensive experience in the Middle East region, Julio de la Rosa, Business Development Director for the Middle East at the water business of ACCIONA, has played a key role in driving ACCIONA’s business growth and establishing strategic partnerships in the region. In this interview, we hear about the company’s presence in the region and its contribution to the development of sustainable desalination solutions.

Could you tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at ACCIONA?

First of all, thank you very much for this opportunity and, of course, I will be happy to explain. My professional career

began a little over 23 years ago with the drafting of agricultural and forestry infrastructure projects, which allowed me a passionate contact with nature and to understand the importance of preserving the environment. From there I moved on to the world of construction, participating in the construction of a clarification tank in Villa Azul, a water treatment plant that supplies my hometown, Córdoba, in Spain. Later I continued with the execution of different supply and sanitation networks in the same city. From there I jumped to the department in charge of international tenders for all types of water infrastructure, and about 12 years ago I relocated to the United Arab Emirates to lead the Energy and Water Business Development for the Middle East of a Spanish multinational company. In 2016 I joined the Acciona family in the Dubai office to assist in the Business Development of the Water Division for the Middle East, helping with the implementation of the Strategic Development Plan and securing new projects for the company. A little over a year and a half ago I moved to Saudi Arabia where the Water Division has been head-

What is ACCIONA’s strategy in the Middle East and how has it evolved over the years?

ACCIONA’s strategy in the Middle East is to continue to consolidate its leadership position in the water infrastructure sector, but with a broader focus on at least two aspects.

First, the generation of a positive impact on society and the environment as determined by our Sustainability Master Plan 2025. We want ACCIONA to be an attractive place for people to work and evolve as professionals; the company is basically a diversity of people with their knowledge and motivations. We will continue to provide our clients with sustainable technology solutions to guarantee the water supply with the greatest efficiency and lowest possible impact. We will continue to share knowledge and increase the integration of a local component in all phases; to do this, we will establish collaboration agreements at all levels with local entities. We will strengthen the concept of circular economy, where I think that promoting wastewater reuse and reducing water losses from generation to final supply is key.

A second aspect is to continue to strengthen the importance of moving forward on a joint approach to the water-energy nexus since those two resources depend on each other to be produced. In this regard, the integra-

“ACCIONA can provide the most efficient and sustainable water security solution in a one-stop shop”

"The integration of renewable energies in water infrastructure is a priority, and sustainable storage batteries can be a turning point"

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

tion of renewable energies in all water infrastructure continues to be a priority, and the availability of sustainable storage batteries at a reasonable cost can be a radical turning point on the horizon. ACCIONA has a unique position worldwide to work on this nexus, having engineering, investment, execution,

operation and maintenance and R&D and innovation capabilities in both areas; this leadership capacity along the entire value chain of water and renewable energy projects makes us proud and humbly able to say that we occupy a clear leadership position not only in the Middle East, but worldwide. It is our

goal to continue to bring positive value to our clients and society at large from this leadership position.

Our personnel and the strong belief in these values of positivity concerning people and the environment are what have helped ACCIONA’s progress in the region over the last 15 years from being a

region where we were newcomers to being a key region for us today, especially for the Water Division.

ACCIONA is a leader in desalination using reverse osmosis and has several emblematic desalination projects in the Middle East such as Al Khobar II, Jubail 3B or Shuqaiq 3 in Saudi Arabia. What would you highlight about them?

Those three projects are really interesting because although they are similar, it is easy for me to identify something unique about each of them.

Concerning Khobar II, I would highlight that together with its first phase, they add up to a total of 840,000 m3/d of drinking water produced, equivalent to supplying the daily needs of more than 3.3 million people, making it the largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in Saudi Arabia and one of the largest in the Middle East.

In the case of Jubail 3B, I would highlight that it is a facility that highlights our ability to provide sustainable solutions to meet the needs of our clients, as it is a plant that greatly reinforces the desalination-solar concept, since its 575,000 m3/d capacity is largely powered by a 62 MW photovoltaic solar plant also executed by ACCIONA, which drastically reduces the carbon footprint of this desalination plant.

In the case of Shuqaiq 3, this is the first public-private collaboration reference for ACCIONA in the region, not only for the Water Division but also for the Group, and also shows how ACCIONA may be the only company in the region currently capable of offering our clients this “one-stop shop” when undertaking this kind of project, as we are present as an investor, exclusive constructor and leading the operation and maintenance.

In a region with severe water scarcity and where the demand for desalinated water is growing in response to climate change and population growth, what can ACCIONA contribute to improving water security?

ACCIONA can provide the most efficient and sustainable solution possible in a one-stop shop not only for the process side but also for energy supply and storage, basically, an optimal and integrated

sustainable solution. If you ask me right now for another company capable of offering the same, you put me in a bind because I wouldn’t know one.

Our position as technology leaders in the water and renewable energy sector, together with the strong environmental, social and governance principles that permeate each and every one of our actions, and our belief that we must put people first guiding our strategy, are making us aware of our leading position, from which we can fully meet the needs of our clients.

That is why ACCIONA only develops plants with reverse osmosis technology, the desalination technology with the highest efficiency and lowest possible carbon footprint, clearly superior in both aspects when compared with tradi-

Shuqaiq 3 is the first public-private collaboration reference for ACCIONA in the region, for the Water Division and also for the Group

"ACCIONA develops plants with RO technology, the desalination technology with the highest efficiency and lowest possible carbon footprint"

tional thermal desalination technologies. This, together with ACCIONA’s global leadership in renewable energies and our ability to integrate both aspects from a project’s initial design to execution, operation and learning from lessons to support continuous improvement, puts us at the forefront as providers of world-class sustainable water security solutions.

What is the current role of reverse osmosis desalination in the Middle East, and what do you see as its future in the region?

In a country where there is an almost absolute shortage of renewable freshwater resources, it is inevitable to look to the sea to guarantee the security of the supply of drinking water in sufficient quantity and quality for the population. In the Middle

East, as elsewhere in the world, concern for responsible resource use and lowering the carbon footprint have been key for a while now for the promotion and development of any technology.

That is why all new desalination plants in the region are being built using reverse osmosis technology and there are even very ambitious plans throughout the region to decommission thermal desalination plants, even before they reach the end of their useful life, due to several factors. From a purely economic point of view, the present value of decommissioning these old technologies and replacing them with more efficient reverse osmosis is positive given the savings it generates; also, from an environmental point of view, the carbon footprint is significantly improved. In addition, it allows decou-

pling water and energy generation which results in savings and environmental benefits; it is unrealistic to think that water and energy demands are coupled at any time of the year and of the day; decoupling them leads to more efficient and sustainable operation of water and energy production. Therefore, the future of reverse osmosis in the region, and in general, is a bright one, and this technology is set for further growth.

Digital solutions are one of the fastest-growing areas in the water industry. To what extent are they being integrated into ACCIONA’s projects in the Middle East?

The integration of digital solutions is one of the pillars of ACCIONA’s projects in the Middle East, as well as one of our competitive advantages and therefore a differentiating element.

The rapid integration of digital solutions is being demanded by the different actors involved - clients, private companies and end users - at the same time. One of the main advantages of this uptake is a radical shift from a reactive to a proactive attitude. It is a matter of anticipating any potential problems, of being able to transform data into valuable insights in order to make the best design, construction and operation decisions. This way, we define an integrated cycle of lessons learned that leads to the continuous improvement of our plants and networks, providing our clients and society with an ideal solution in all areas, including environmental aspects.

Likewise, the integration of new technologies is allowing clients and end users to have more fluid and efficient communication when interacting, saving resources, mainly time, defining clear parameters for service improvement, giving visibility to the important measures adopted to improve the service, and defining a direct channel through which to present new service demands to be studied and met.

All of this has been implemented for some time now in all the projects that ACCIONA is designing, executing and operating in the Middle East.

What kind of innovative technologies are you implementing in your Middle East projects and what are their main benefits?

There are many, but if I have to highlight one in the specific case of the Middle East I would say the digital twin in our Khobar I desalination plant, because of what it involves, when it had to be implemented and what it entailed.

A digital twin is an exact virtual replica of an asset, either a specific piece of equipment or an entire desalination plant as in this case. This replica is fed with computerised design, mathematical models related to processes and the mechanical-electrical performance of equipment, based on the available information of already implemented plants, and on operation methodologies that help to define the mathematical algorithms that determine the behaviour of the plant; this is an in-depth multidisciplinary endeavour. Back in April 2020, when we were all in the midst of perhaps the most complicated situation in the last 70 years, trying to understand what a worldwide pandemic was and its implications, with the uncertainty that this entailed, at that very moment, ACCIONA had to commission this desalination plant, urgently needed by our client, even more so because of the health emergency. This type of commissioning is a job with high technical and knowledge requirements: think

of hundreds of pieces of equipment, and thousands of signals that have to be put into operation and aligned correctly. Any commissioning involves the mobilisation of a significant number of people to the plant, which was unthinkable in the mid-2020s, with international flights almost non-existent. It was only thanks to the development of Khobar’s digital twin that it was possible to both increase the tasks that could be performed remotely and simulate in advance the activities to be carried out on-site, which significantly minimised the number of personnel to be mobilised and finally led to a successful start-up. We believe this milestone was possible, although not only, mainly thanks to the high qualifications of ACCIONA’s personnel.

In addition, we would like to mention BIONS, which is our intelligent cloud-

based data platform where source data is stored and, by applying Big Data, IoT and Artificial Intelligence, is transformed into insights and subsequently into effective joint decisions. And finally, I must highlight CECOA, which is our Water Control Center, where data from our plants is centralised worldwide and the aforementioned technologies are applied to gain knowledge, control and optimise the operation and maintenance of our plants.

How does ACCIONA collaborate with governments in the Middle East to promote the transition to a more sustainable energy model, develop sustainable desalination solutions and guarantee long-term water supply?

We collaborate by maintaining a very close and constant contact through

"In the Middle East, concerns for responsible resource use and lowering the carbon footprint have been key for technology development"

which we transmit ACCIONA’s commitment to promote and provide only the most efficient and sustainable technological solutions as stated in our Sustainability Master Plan 2025 with a fiveyear horizon.

The implementation of renewable energies in each and every one of the plants we develop, assessing the implementation of these energy sources in existing infrastructure, together with the optimisation of reagent use and minimisation of the waste generated are some of the aspects that we develop together with our clients, in order to minimise the carbon footprint of our infrastructure while providing a realistic and efficient solution.

ACCIONA also participates actively in all forums and events not only related to water, but also to investment, the definition of regulatory frameworks and

local content, contributing our experiences and explaining our medium- to long-term vision on the path to ensuring a resilient and reliable water supply.

One of the objectives we set ourselves with this collaboration with the governments of the Middle East is to promote social awareness of the importance of the responsible use of resources on the path towards decarbonisation. In the specific case of Saudi Arabia, where the goal is to be carbon neutral by 2060, companies like ACCIONA – with a positive impact on sustainable and social development by putting people at the centre of the organisation – undoubtedly generate an added value that is positively received and appreciated. Increasing social awareness and motivation helps ensure water security by highlighting the importance of resources, their proper use, conservation and enhancement.

Can you tell us about the role of public-private partnerships in the water and sanitation sector in the Middle East, and the prospects for the future?

The role of public-private partnerships in the water and sanitation sector in the Middle East has grown exponentially in recent years.

Although this collaboration model has existed for decades, it is true that it coexisted in a certain balance with other models for the development of water infrastructure. However, in the last decade, it has gradually become the predominant model. Within this model of collaboration, different structures have been established with greater or lesser involvement of public parties. For example, at the level of the project company in charge of the investment, there is a wide range of options: the public party may not participate, or, in some cases, it has a majority stake, reaching up to 60%. Something similar happens concerning the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the asset, but project execution is still exclusively done by the private party.

One of the reasons for the predominance of this model is that it can be seen as a way of aligning interests in the asset to be developed with a long-term vision, ensuring that the asset is developed with the joint objective of implementing the most efficient and sustainable technologies both concerning construction and O&M, in a framework of continuous improvement in the long term, helping to provide the best possible final service. Certainly, for this model to continue to be the predominant one, it must continue to have a government guarantee that covers the investment, and it is necessary to continue to advance a regulatory framework that provides reassurance to both private companies and the financial sector as it has done so far, as well as the general stability of the region.

In the future, this model will undoubtedly continue to be the predominant one and may even continue to take steps forward. Possibly the next step will be to see more and more the implementation of a concession model of private-public utilities in the region, until now predominantly public, with the objective of improving the services provided to citizens while at the same time improving the efficiency and sustainability of infrastructure. In this regard, programmes such as the ¨National Water Strategy 2030¨ and ¨Vision 2030¨ in the case of Saudi Arabia are fully aligned with ACCIONA’s Sustainability Master Plan, seeking a positive impact on people and the environment, with one of its pillars being the strengthening of this public-private collaboration.

"The integration of digital solutions is one of the pillars of ACCIONA’s projects in the Middle East, and one of our competitive advantages"

THIERRY FROMENT

Desalination is key to overcoming resource scarcity in the Middle East. Could you tell us about Veolia’s The Barrel™ solution, which has been implemented in various Middle Eastern projects?

Veolia Water Technologies is a prominent player in the water treatment and desalination industry of the Middle East. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, the firm offers a comprehensive range of technologies and services tailored to meet the unique needs of various sectors, including municipal, industrial, and oil and gas.

With an ambitious goal to become the global champion of ecological transformation, the Middle East is a determinant market for Veolia and its subsidiary Veolia Water Technologies. Thierry Froment, Chief Executive Officer at Veolia Water Technologies Middle East, is responsible for the firm's business strategy and growth in this part of the world by providing the company’s clients with a wide portfolio of technologies, including online diagnostic solutions to evaporation and crystallization, energy-producing sludge treatment, state-of-the-art desalination, laboratory-grade water and mobile water services. SWM had the chance to speak with him about the firm’s cutting-edge technologies and how it is assisting the Middle East region tackle its pressing water challenges.

Can you please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at Veolia Water Technologies Middle East?

Except for the three first years of my career spent in oil and gas working for a subsidiary of Schlumberger, most of my experience has been in water treatment starting as Project Engineer with Entropie, a private company in France

working in thermal desalination. I became Managing Director of Entropie in 1997 when the company was bought by the Weir group, then moved to Scotland to manage Westgarth — also a reputed desalination company — in 2005 after both Westgarth and Entropie were bought by Veolia. I returned to Paris in 2009 to head the oil and gas activities of Veolia Water Technologies until 2016 when I came to the UAE as COO first and in 2020 as CEO of Veolia Water Technologies Middle East. Our entity generates 220 million euros of revenue and employs around 1,000 people mainly in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Lebanon and Turkey.

I’m extremely proud of being one of Veolia’s 220,000 Resourcers who act every day to champion Ecological Transformation and help solve some of the biggest challenges of our time: water scarcity, resource depletion, pollution and climate change, to name just a few. The team I’m fortunate enough to lead is made of determined, optimistic and very talented people who work together with our industrial and municipal clients to optimize their operations while reducing the use of freshwater, energy and chemicals.

Desalination is indeed key for most countries in the Middle East as the main — and sometimes the only — source of drinking water. After years, where thermal desalination technologies using waste steam from nearby large fuel or gas power plants were preponderant in the Middle East, supported by low fuel and gas costs, seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO), has now replaced thermal desalination and all-new large desalination plants are using this technology.

Five years ago, Sidem, a Veolia subsidiary, launched the Barrel™ on the market, a concept that is changing quite drastically the design of SWRO plants. The Barrel™ is an advanced membrane technology that offers a secure, compact, optimized and connected solution. It features a convenient plug-and-play design for outdoor installation, minimizing the need for extensive civil engineering work and occupying 25% less ground space compared to traditional building-enclosed SWRO processes. It drastically reduces the health and safety risks associated with the high-pressure operation of the SWRO process by eliminating most of the many high pressure Victaulic connections that are found on conventional SWRO plants. Equipped with intelligent sensors, it allows for remote operation and enables predictive maintenance for optimal performance. Moreover, this sustainable

“The most efficient approach to decarbonising GCC’s water sector is by replacing desalination with reused water”

CHIEF

"Five years ago, Sidem, a Veolia subsidiary, launched the Barrel™, a concept that is changing quite drastically the design of SWRO plants"

Z Olivia Tempest

solution reduces electricity consumption by minimizing pressure losses.

While the Barrel™ was initially developed for desalination applications, we quickly realized its tremendous potential for drinking water treatment and wastewater reuse through low-pressure reverse osmosis. We now have several references, one being the Oman Sur desalination plant where one of the first Barrels was installed in 2019. The Barrel is also used for indirect potable water reuse in France, a first in Europe, and for wastewater reuse in industrial applications in Australia, for instance.

What other innovative technologies has Veolia Water Technologies implemented in the Middle East for desalination?

Through our specialized business unit SIDEM, we have been pioneering desalination technologies and solutions for over 50 years. In addition to optimizing the desalination process itself, we have made significant advancements in im-

proving the pretreatment stage ahead of membrane filtration by introducing novel multimedia filters as well as optimizing dissolved air flotation systems, particularly for large-size plants. This crucial stage plays a key role in minimizing fouling, scaling and overall membrane degradation, ultimately improving efficiency and extending their lifespan.

We have also applied our expertise to achieve remarkable energy savings in the desalination process. We have achieved an impressive 80% decrease in energy consumption compared to the 1980s, when thermal desalination was predominant. In the past decade, with the widespread adoption of reverse osmosis as the preferred technology, we have further achieved an approximate 25% reduction in energy requirements. These advancements highlight our commitment to sustainable desalination practices and driving efficiency improvements in the industry.

Another innovation worth mentioning is our Smart Membrane application, which is part of our Hubgrade digital solution. It combines advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to provide operators with a holistic visibility of the operations and processes, empowering evidence-based decision making when planning for membrane cleaning or replacement. Benefits include predictive maintenance which helps improve maintenance planning and decision-making,

and access to key normalized fouling indicators to monitor the effectiveness of CIP and production cycles.

Within the GCC, many countries have committed to becoming Net Zero by 2060, making decarbonisation, especially in the water sector, extremely relevant. How can Veolia Water Technologies help in this respect?

Veolia’s purpose is to drive ecological transformation. As Veolia Water Technologies, we are at the forefront to help our clients in the GCC countries to effectively reduce their carbon emissions and make better use of the scarce water. Many sustainable solutions can be applied today to contribute to the overall decarbonisation efforts. In addition to our efforts in desalination, which I have already touched on, it is worth noting that

While the Barrel™ was developed for desalination applications, we realized its potential for drinking water treatment and wastewater reuse

"Through our specialized business unit SIDEM, we have been pioneering desalination technologies and solutions for over 50 years"

the energy contained in urban wastewater is more than nine times greater than the electrical energy required to treat it. Our teams are experts in integrating our technologies to minimize the electrical consumption of sewage treatment plants (STPs) while maximizing the recovery of this energy. For instance, the organic matter recovered as sludge in the STP can produce biogas through treatment in anaerobic digesters. This biogas fed to a cogeneration plant can cover most of the STP residual electrical consumption. It is worth mentioning that we already have STPs in Europe that are self-sufficient in terms of energy, including one in Montpellier (France) that will produce twice as much energy than it consumes once completed.

In the GCC, the second highest energy consumer around sewage treatment

is the pumping of sewage to the treatment plant and the subsequent transfer of treated sewage to disposal or reuse sites. One way of reducing this energy consumption is to consider smaller and dispersed plants rather than large central treatment plants. In this respect, we have delivered 53 packaged sewage treatment plants to the Ministry of Public Works in Kuwait. These plants are strategically placed within different communities, enabling a shorter and more efficient collection and discharge network. Additionally, these plants provide essential irrigation to these communities, resulting in a reduction in electrical consumption related to transfer pumps.

Another example is our work with clients in the food & beverage industry. We have for instance successfully provided Pınar Süt, one of Turkey’s largest dairy

companies, with a wastewater treatment plant that goes beyond meeting the new environmental discharge limits. Through the installation of two types of anaerobic digesters — one Biobed® EGSB for wastewater treatment and one Biobulk™ CSTR for sludge and other organic waste treatment — the biogas generated reduces the dairy’s carbon footprint by 17% and significantly cuts down the cost of consumed gas. Following further tertiary treatment, the treated water is also suitable to be reused for certain applications within the dairy such as flushing water.

Of course, the most efficient approach to decarbonising the water sector in the GCC is to replace desalinated drinking water with reused water whenever possible. Since treating water for reuse has a much lower carbon footprint compared to seawater desalination, reusing treated sewage effluent is consistently advantageous over discharging it into the sea.

Oil and gas production represents over 40% of GDP in GCC countries (except for Bahrain and UAE). How is Veolia Water Technologies assisting the oil sector with deoiling technologies? Between Veolia Water Technologies and Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions — our sister company within Veolia — we have the full spectrum of technologies to treat effluents in the oil & gas industry, covering both upstream and downstream operations. We are particularly strong in deoiling and enabling the reuse of a significant amount of this water. The zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system that we provided to Shell Pearl

"We have achieved an impressive 80% decrease in energy consumption compared to the 1980s, when thermal desalination was predominant"

in Qatar several years ago, which is one of the largest ZLD plants in the world, is a good illustration of our capabilities to deliver advanced solutions for water treatment and sustainable management in the oil and gas sector.

Specifically regarding deoiling, we recently launched CoaFil™, a patented technology for the treatment of produced water or oily wastewater. It meets the very strict requirements of the oil and gas industry for discharge, water reuse or reinjection applications. It handles higher oil and solids feeds while maintaining an exceptional level of performance, achieving discharge levels below 1 part per million (ppm). By incorporating an oleophobic media, it effectively repels oil, making backwashing easier and reducing the risk of “mud-balling”. This ensures a consistently high-quality outlet.

CoaFil™ acts as a comprehensive solution on its own, eliminating the need for conventional secondary and tertiary treatment steps like induced gas flotation, nutshell filters or media/sand filters. This not only reduces costs but also simplifies the entire treatment process, providing a more efficient and streamlined solution.

Last March, Veolia Water Technologies signed an MoU with Dubai Municipality to assist it in its Ecological Transformation. How are you aiding the Dubai Municipality regarding water conservation?

Dubai has made a commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. This pledge is aligned with

the broader goal set by the United Arab Emirates to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Veolia Water Technologies has been working with the Dubai Municipality for many years and this agreement solidifies our collaborative efforts to implement innovative water and wastewater treatment technologies while supporting the municipality in reaching its sustainability goals.

Furthermore, we see this agreement as an excellent platform to showcase our technologies in the Middle East, considering Dubai Municipality’s reputation for being a leader in innovation within the region. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration presents and the potential for advancing environmental solutions in Dubai and beyond.

One example of such solutions is our AnitaMox™ technology, specifically developed to treat the eluate produced by sludge anaerobic digestion plants in STPs. This eluate is typically recycled back into the feed of the STPs which can strain the biological treatment capacity of the plant. Our AnitaMox™ technology can treat this eluate separately, reducing the load on the STP and enabling it to accommodate a larger sewage flow. The AnitaMox technology is widely used in Europe and in the USA but has not yet been used in the Middle East. Implementing this technology in one of Dubai Municipality’s STPs would perfectly illustrate the purpose of our MoU with DM.

How has Veolia Water Technologies addressed the specific water scarcity challenges faced in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qa-

tar and Egypt?

As already mentioned above, it’s impossible to talk about water scarcity without talking about water reuse, particularly in regions such as the GCC and Egypt where freshwater resources are extremely limited. We cannot afford to

use water only once; instead, maximising water reuse has become imperative, especially considering the still significant energy costs associated with desalination, which is often the primary source of water in these areas.

One key technology for water reuse is our Hydrotech™ Discfilters. These filters are used for the tertiary treatment of 6 million m3/day of sewage at the Bahr El Bakr wastewater treatment plant in Egypt. Once treated, the water is reused for agriculture in the Sinai region, helping preserve precious freshwater resources. A similar, larger project is nearing completion at the El Hammam wastewater treatment plant on the western side of the Nile Delta, with a capacity of 7.2 million m3/day, further expanding the capacity for reusing water resources and fostering sustainability in the region.

"Regarding deoiling, we recently launched CoaFil™, a patented technology for the treatment of produced water or oily wastewater"

Also in Egypt, Ezz Steel — one of the leading steel producers in the Middle East and Africa — entrusted us with quickly supplying mobile water solutions that allowed cooling water supply to switch from the Nile River to desalinated seawater. In doing so, Ezz Steel has reduced its water and chemical consumption by approximately 75% while helping maintain its business continuity. Along the same line, we have also supplied treated sewage effluent polishing plants to companies such as Empower in the UAE and Marafeq in Qatar. The treated water is used to feed the cooling towers of their district cooling systems, again reducing their water consumption and minimizing the need for chemical additives.

A last example of reuse is what we are currently doing in Qatar with Baladna, a leading dairy producer with an ex-

pansive cow farm housing over 20,000 cows. Our efforts have focused on working with them to enhance their water management practices and reduce their reliance on depleting brackish water sources. We supplied them with a 22,000 m3/day wastewater treatment plant and the treated water is reused for flushing within the farm premises. Additionally, after undergoing further treatment in a polishing plant, the recycled water is used to spray and cool the cows during the scorching summer months. Baladna actively participates in the Qatar National Food Security Program (QNFSP), and we take great pride in supporting them in their mission to expand their business in a sustainable manner through water reuse.

What future projects is Veolia Water Technologies planning in the GCC countries to further enhance water treatment and desalination technologies?

I’ve touched on ecological transformation and how Veolia has made it its purpose. All around the world, our teams are acting to reconcile human progress with environmental protection. In the GCC countries as everywhere else, the challenges we face are significant, but our determination is unwavering.

One last example of this is called “seawater mining”. In Neom, the flagship development project of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, Veolia and Veolia Water Technologies are working hand in hand to not only produce desalinated water but instead of discharging the brine back to the sea, to recover valuable salts present in seawater. This requires the unique combination of nanofiltration, seawater reverse osmosis and selective salt crystallization, all technologies available in the Veolia portfolio.

With global expertise in water, waste and energy, Veolia stands as an ideal partner for municipalities and industries. We collaborate closely with them to optimize their operations, ensuring both efficiency and sustainability are achieved. By leveraging our capabilities, we aim to make a positive impact on the environment while driving progress and success for our clients in the GCC and beyond.

Our AnitaMox™ technology can treat this eluate separately, reducing the load on the STP and enabling it to accommodate a larger sewage flow

"We cannot afford to use water only once; instead, maximizing water reuse has become imperative, especially considering the energy costs"

ALEJANDRO STURNIOLO

VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND SUSTAINABILITY, H2O INNOVATION

WATER POSITIVE: LEVERAGING THE BETWEEN CO2 AND WATER TO FIGH

Climate change has emerged as one of the most urgent global challenges, capturing widespread attention in recent years. At its core, climate change is intimately connected to global warming, which signifies the long-term escalation of Earth’s average surface temperature. This phenomenon has unleashed a cascade of consequences that pose significant threats to our planet and societies. With escalating greenhouse gas emissions, largely driven by human activities, our climate system is undergoing profound transformations with far-reaching impacts. It is crucial to recognize the intricate relation between CO 2 emissions and water management and prioritize the interdependence of these critical aspects in addressing the climate crisis. Water resources, which are essential for life, are increasingly affected by climate change. Droughts and floods are becoming more frequent, leading to severe consequences: droughts result in water scarcity, crop failure, and ecological imbalances, while floods cause property damage, displacement, and death. Addressing these challenges and managing water resources sustainably is crucial to mitigate the impacts of climate change. As we strive to sustain development and prevent the economy from slowing down, we consistently emit CO 2 through an increase in production. The cycle seems endless: despite the fact that almost everything we consume today claims to be low or zero in emissions, global emissions continue to escalate.

Many of the solutions proposed to date, such as the transition to renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, the conservation of forests and ecosystems, and sustainable agriculture, are merely palliative options that minimize our impact. Despite these efforts, we continue to set new greenhouse gas emission records. A remarkable solution to this problem is an economy that feeds on the carbon we generate, including

the carbon produced since the first industrial revolution — an economy known as a “Carbon Economy”.

The carbon economy encompasses an innovative approach that capitalizes on the potential of carbon, transforming it into valuable resources for diverse sectors, thereby turning the problem into part of the solution. This paradigm relies on the use of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies, which involve capturing carbon and utilizing it as a feedstock in sectors such as food production, fertilizers, building materials, lab-grown diamonds, polymers, plastics, and water purification. Each application can consume a part of the CO 2 that needs to be removed, about 500 Gt from the existing stock of CO 2 in the atmosphere. This remains a formidable task that requires collective action , such as implementing a learning-by-doing policy to decrease costs and the creation of “carbon negative markets,” as well as commercial action , such as creating financial securities that accelerate investment in off takes.

The scalability of CCU (Carbon capture, utilization) is directly tied to the size of the sector, enabling a greater contribution to address the issue. Notably, the water sector assumes a pivotal role as the backbone of the global economy, presenting the immense potential for effectively utilizing thousands of tons of CO 2 captured from the atmosphere. Specifically, the water sector can leverage CCU technologies for critical processes such as wastewater treatment, desalination, and water reuse. The sector’s competitiveness is further enhanced by the fact that implementing decentralized CCU approaches and utilizing carbon on-site eliminates the need for carbon distribution and storage. Globally, more than 1.1 billion cubic metres of water are managed each day through processes like wastewater treatment, desalination, and reuse. The captured CO 2 from the atmosphere can be utilized in various applications within

The carbon economy encompasses an innovative approach that capitalizes on the potential of carbon, transforming it into valuable resources

SYNERGIES T CLIMATE CHANGE

these processes, such as adjusting pH levels in desalination, controlling water pH in wastewater treatment, and facilitating water remineralization.

As a result of the potential synergies between carbon and water, we are embarking on a regenerative and sustainable initiative that promotes carbon negativity and water positivity. This initiative, which has garnered support from numerous major corporations worldwide, involves actively removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than is emitted, resulting in a carbon-negative ratio. Similarly, we strive to have a net positive impact on water resources through strategies such as water reuse, desalination, and integrated water management, aligning with the concept of Water Positivity. Inspired by Graciela Chichilnisky’s work with the carbon emission compensation market, the concept of Water Positivity stipulates that a company can only be deemed water positive if it generates more freshwater than it consumes.

A company achieves Water Positivity when its generation of purified water is greater than its direct or indirect consumption of freshwater in the production of goods or services. Corporations can compensate for their water footprint and become Water Positive by reducing their overall water consumption and producing high-quality water through desalination and/or water reuse from non-potable water. This approach mirrors the fundamental processes of the hydrological cycle. The Water Positive initiative establishes a marketplace similar to the carbon credits market, compensating for water footprints in a manner comparable to CO 2 emissions compensation. However, there are key distinctions between the two approaches. Carbon offsetting predominantly deals with gases and is independent of the location where emissions occur, while water offsetting involves additional variables such as water footprint trade, local water scarcity,

transportation of produced water, and considerations related to social, economic, and environmental factors.

Like carbon offsetting, water offsetting offers a significant opportunity to strengthen ESG criteria within companies. The “E” (Environmental) aspect focuses on mitigating climate change and preserving the environment. Meanwhile, the “S” (Social) aspect contributes to sustainable development and the well-being of individuals and communities by generating more water than it consumes. The “G” (Governance) aspect acknowledges that companies dependent on substantial water volumes are exposed to water-related risks, including shortages and restrictions, which can impede operations and result in additional expenses.

The Water Positive framework was developed through a collaborative effort spanning two years and involving over 50 professionals from various academic backgrounds. The collaboration took place under the International Desalination Association (IDA) and its affiliated organizations and strategic partners. This initiative aims to establish a marketplace similar to the carbon credits market, but for water footprint compensation, which would help countries facing water scarcity to compensate for their water footprint trade in goods and services, addressing the water and climate crises simultaneously. While our efforts in implementing the carbon emissions offset market spanned more than 8 years, we cannot afford to wait that long to jumpstart the Carbon Economy. Time is of the essence, and the urgency is clear. The moment for action has arrived, and the stakes are high. Policy action is needed now to create a “carbon negative market” that trades carbon removal obligations and to establish new types of tradable securities that accelerate investment in carbon removal projects and reduce legacy carbon in the atmosphere. It is imperative that we seize this opportunity and move forward decisively.

A company achieves Water Positivity when its generation of purified water is greater than its direct or indirect consumption of freshwater

MARK HEDGES

With no rivers or significant natural bodies of freshwater, the production of potable water in the UAE relies on desalination. As it plans for long-term demands for water and electricity, EWEC aims to increase the efficiency of its generation plants, investing in zero carbon emitting solar and nuclear power capacity to run the company’s desalination plants. We had the opportunity to interview Mark Hedges, Asset Management Executive Director at EWEC, about the company’s major water projects and their contribution to EWEC’s approach to decarbonisation.

Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).

With over twenty years of experience in the energy sector across various functions and international energy markets, my career has been dedicated to driving operational excellence, optimising asset performance, and contributing to the growth of the energy sector.

As the Asset Management Executive Director at EWEC, I am responsible for overseeing the efficiency of our fleet and maximising the flexibility, capacity, and production of our water and power generation plants. I manage the integration of new water and power generation into our portfolio and advance our strategic plans to decarbonise the energy sector. By leveraging my operational, commercial, and sector knowledge, I support EWEC in enhancing its power and water generation capabilities and supporting the achievement of the company’s strategic goals.

Could you provide an overview of the EWEC’s major water projects and their significance in meeting the water demands in Abu Dhabi and beyond?

The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) is the single buyer and seller of water and electricity in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, ensuring there is capacity to meet demands, while translating the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative into a viable strategy for the power and water sector.

EWEC is at the forefront of driving the UAE’s energy transition through commissioning and deploying renewable energy, clean energy, and low-carbon intensive reverse osmosis (RO) water desalination projects that significantly contribute to the UAE’s sustainability objectives. RO water desalination is a key strategic pillar in our plan to decouple power and water generation and decarbonise the energy sector.

We currently have four commercially operational water desalination plants using RO technology, comprising Fujairah F1, Fujairah F2, Mirfa 1, and Taweelah RO, which recently became the world’s largest RO desalination plant after surpassing 90 per cent capacity, producing 183 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD), equivalent to 831,935 cubic metres per day, of desalinated water. Once fully operational, Taweelah RO will supply 200 MIGD, equivalent to 909,200 cubic metres per day of potable water.

EWEC has also commissioned three new low-carbon intensive RO water desalination projects. Mirfa 2 Reverse

Osmosis (M2 RO) Independent Water Project (IWP), reached financial close in May this year and will be the third largest RO plant in the UAE once fully operational. In addition, we have commissioned Shuweihat 4 Reverse Osmosis (S4 RO) IWP, which is currently undergoing technical and commercial evaluation of bids received for the project, and Abu Dhabi Islands RO IWP, which is going through the development process.

When fully operational, combined, these low-carbon intensive RO projects will provide an additional 290 MIGD of new reverse osmosis production capacity, enabling us to produce 618 MIGD

“Creating a pipeline of RO projects that attract private investment in the sector drives innovation in technologies”

ASSET MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EWEC

"RO water desalination is a key strategic pillar in our plan to decouple power and water generation and decarbonise the energy sector"

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

of water from low-carbon intensive RO desalination plants by 2027.

Our latest Statement of Future Capacity Requirements 2023-2029: Summary Report for Abu Dhabi’s future water and electricity production, endorses continued investment in low-carbon intensive RO water desalination technology, which is primarily driven by RO’s efficiency advantage over existing cogeneration assets. Low-carbon-intensive RO desalination is up to 96 per cent more efficient compared to traditional thermal

desalination and enables a more than 85 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.

What are the key challenges and considerations involved in ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply in the Emirates, and how does EWEC address these challenges in its projects? There are no rivers or significant natural bodies of fresh water in the UAE, so the sustainable production of potable water is a challenge. In addition, finding the optimal locations for developing and building new water desalination projects in close proximity to water consumers is key to ensuring we are providing consumers with a secure and reliable water supply.

As an example, commissioning the development of the Abu Dhabi Islands RO water desalination plants on Saadiyat Island and Hudayriat Island, enables EWEC to improve the efficiency of despatching and supplying the water pro-

duced from both plants to the residents of Abu Dhabi, while satisfying peak demand and reducing overall sector costs.

To enable the realisation of decoupling water and power generation, and decarbonising the energy sector, it is crucial we maintain a constant power supply from renewable and clean energy sources to operate our RO plants. Traditionally, powering water desalination during the winter period with cogeneration assets was a challenge, when power demand was at its lowest during the winter seasons. EWEC is overcoming this operability challenge by powering RO plants with nuclear energy to meet water demand.

Can you tell us about EWEC’s strategic initiative of decoupling Abu Dhabi’s power and water generation capacity?

EWEC’s strategic initiative to decouple water and power generation via developing and deploying low-carbon inten-

"The Taweelah reverse osmosis facility recently became the world’s largest RO desalination plant after surpassing 90 per cent capacity"

sive RO technology is crucial to enable the country’s energy transition and sustainability objectives. As more RO water desalination plants are added to the system, EWEC can reduce its reliance on cogeneration assets and add further carbon-free renewable and clean energy power generation into its portfolio. Ultimately reducing the carbon emissions associated with water production.

RO technology is a key strategic pillar in our plans as it enables EWEC to substantially contribute to the UAE’s sustainability agenda. By decoupling water and power generation through adopting RO technology and expanding our deployment of solar energy, we are consuming minimal power to operate the water desalination plants, while also enabling a more than 85 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, thus effectively contributing to the achievement of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative.

What is the role of public-private partnerships in the company’s water projects, and how do these collaborations contribute to the overall success and sustainability of the projects?

Achieving the UAE’s carbon neutrality objectives requires public and private entities and organisations to collaborate and work with each other to realise and accelerate the country’s energy transition and decarbonisation of the energy sector.

Creating a pipeline of RO projects that attract private investment in the sector drives innovation in technologies that in turn EWEC and public entities can utilise to develop low-carbon water and power plants. To that end, EWEC is partnering with renowned local and international stakeholders to develop world-class utility-scale water desalination projects to provide a reliable and sustainable supply of water to achieve our goal of realising UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, and further strengthening the UAE’s sustainability credentials.

Looking into the future, what are EWEC’s plans and strategies to address potential water challenges, such as population growth, climate change, and increasing water scarcity, while ensuring long-term water security?

EWEC is committed to supporting the UAE to achieve its sustainability objectives by taking tangible action to diversify the nation’s energy mix. We are at the forefront of driving the country’s energy transition, and by improving the sustainability of water production in the UAE, EWEC is actively contributing to the achievement of the UAE’s socio-economic and sustainability objectives.

EWEC plans the sector’s water production demand and capacity by applying a quantitative modelling approach around power and water system supply-demand fundamentals, supported by a state-of-theart scientific, and data-led approach to market simulation that provides unified energy modelling and forecasting water and power demand and system production cost.

Our future capacity expansion recommendations highlighted in EWEC’s Statement of Future Capacity Requirements 2023-2029: Summary Report, are primarily founded on a ‘Base Case’ scenario in which we plan to meet demand growth within the Abu Dhabi Emirate, as well as the Water Purchase Agree-

ment contracts for water supply from our current and future fleet of water desalination plants.

These projects enable EWEC to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of water production. By 2030, we forecast over 90 per cent of our water production to be from RO desalination plants, resulting in the average carbon emissions intensity associated with water production falling from 11.5 kilograms per cubic metres (kg/m3) in 2019, to an estimated 1.4 kg/m3 by 2029.

Implementing these strategic recommendations will enable EWEC to ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply across the UAE in line with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, and to reduce the average carbon emissions intensity associated with water production by 88 per cent by 2023, supporting the achievement of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative.

"The average carbon emissions intensity of water production will fall from 11.5 kg/m3 in 2019 to an estimated 1.4 kg/m3 by 2029"

Finding the optimal locations for developing and building new water desalination projects in close proximity to water consumers is key

FADY JUEZ

MANAGING DIRECTOR AT METITO

lower environmental footprint with the waste liquid further diluted onsite using existing seawater, thus offering additional protection to marine life.

Furthermore, the high degree of modularized design and delivery based on the pre-assembled plant modules of the floating barges minimizes the manpower required at the shipyard. Along with this, it reduces the installation and commissioning time prior to commencing commercial operation.

Metito delivered the first of three floating desalination barges in Saudi Arabia last year, an iconic project integrating the latest technologies that will enable KSA to achieve national water security targets, and the first floating desalination project in the Middle East.

A pioneering company on all fronts, Metito was the first company to introduce the Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology for desalination outside the USA in 1972 and the first company to pioneer concession contracts through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the Middle East and Africa. Driving the expansion of the company in the GCC is Fady Juez, Managing Director of Metito and global expert in the water industry. Smart Water Magazine had the opportunity of speaking with him about some of the company’s unique recent initiatives.

Metito launched the MENA’s first floating desalination plant in KSA in 2022, with the first of three barges starting trial operations. Can you give us an update on this project?

To meet Saudi Arabia’s rising water demand in a sustainable manner, the Barge-mounted Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Desalination Plant was developed by Metito in partnership with The Saudi National Shipping Company (Bahri).

Three barges, with a capacity of 50,000 m3/day per unit, were delivered starting in January 2022. Currently, the first of the three barges has been completed and is under operation.

What advantages/disadvantages do these types of facilities provide compared to traditional land-based desalination plants? Can you comment on their environmental costs and benefits? While desalination facilities are typically built onshore, floating desalination plants provide the same benefits but stand at an advantage from several perspectives. The cost of transferring seawater to the plant onshore (feed-water intake) and the price of the land area holding the plant are significantly lower. In addition, they have the strategic advantage of being easily moved (towed) to other locations as needed. Floating barges also carry a

Can you tell us about the technologies used at the floating desalination facilities? How is the water produced transported to shore and stored?

Metito integrated the barge desalination units with power generators which results in quick mobilization, expedited construction timelines, fewer marine works, and reduced adverse impacts of climate change. The barges are equipped with in-house power generation facilities that produce power of up to 21 Mega Watts (MW) with full redundancy facilities. Additionally, each barge is designed meticulously with a complete marine system to ensure that it can last for 20 years without dry-docking and to maintain safe operations. The Barges are equipped with an independent intake and outfall system as well as a three-engine unit including a dual fuel system for Light Fuel Oil (LFO) and Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) supply to be used depending on the location of operation.

Metito also utilised an innovative technology offered by the chemicals company DuPont called i-UF, a combination of ultra-filtration and self-cleaning filtration in the pre-treatment package. This optimizes the space allocation and power consumption according to the environmental standard.

The water transmission system of the barge is connected by a header system with a common submerged water pipeline connecting to the common onshore potabilization, quality monitoring and metering

“Privatization in infrastructure projects plays a strategic role in driving sustainable development for nations”

"The Barge-mounted SWRO Desalination Plant was developed by Metito in partnership with The Saudi National Shipping Company (Bahri)"

Z Cristina Novo Perez

systems. These provisions allow the plant to be ready to relocate to any other coastal city as swiftly as can be and when needed.

Furthermore, the barges are scalable due to their modular design depending on individual client requirements with the possibility of supplying post-treatment facilities in a modular configuration too. This enables them to be installed either onshore or for future applications, to be located on the barge itself. Not only is this approach innovative, but it also provides greater flexibility in meeting individual client needs.

What is the significance of the barges project in the context of efforts to increase water security in the region? How do you see the future of this type of solution?

The floating barges project is a true testament to the Kingdom’s progressive vision of achieving national water security targets through sustainable projects and highlights the Government’s efforts to further engage the private sector with mega infrastructural projects.

The project enables Saudi Arabia to meet Vision 2030 and KSA National Water Strategy goals to provide high-quality water supply efficiently in line with SDG 6 in enabling access to clean and safe water globally. It aims to contribute sustainably to the supply of high-quality potable water in compliance with all applicable international and local codes and standards and using the most advanced treatment technology, Integrated Ultra Filtration. It also protects householders from extended water outages during peak demand or as supply constraints loom.

These new developments enable more flexibility to design and construct the desalination plant with built-in power generation projects resulting in increased reliability, less EPC duration, and minimized marine works. It will also enhance the potential to improve the performance and economics of water scarcity due to the rapid growth of the population.

Can you comment on the KSA and regional governments’ efforts to further engage the private sector with mega infrastructure projects?

The announcement of KSA Vision 2030 marked a pivotal moment aimed at fostering transformative changes within both the crucial public and private sectors to enhance their cooperation on a grand scale.

It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia currently produces 20% of global desalinated water, making it the largest desalination market worldwide. This presents a significant opportunity for privatization, one that holds tremendous potential.

Privatization in infrastructure projects plays a strategic role in driving sustainable development for nations. It strengthens competition, elevates the quality of services and economic growth, enhances the business environment, and elim-

"Floating desalination plants have several advantages, from lower land costs, to being easily towed, to reduced commissioning time"

inates obstacles that hinder the private sector from assuming a more prominent role in the region’s overall development.

Metito and British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution, recently launched the Africa Water Infrastructure Development (AWID) platform. Can you tell us about it?

Water insecurity is a critical development challenge in Africa. Climate change is expected to reduce water availability and increase the extent of water scarcity, exacerbating existing water-related vulnerabilities caused by other socio-economic factors. Water quality deterioration is also a major threat among communities throughout Africa as most wastewater generated remains untreated. The significant gap in storage, supply, and access to clean water and sanitation services urgently calls for effective and efficient water management infrastructure.

To address the water scarcity gap in Africa, Metito Utilities Limited (MUL) and British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced the launch of their new company Africa Water Infrastructure Development (AWID), a first-of-its-kind platform to develop climate-smart water projects at scale and to increase water security across Africa.

The new platform, AWID, will finance water and wastewater management treatment plants as well as develop and construct world-class facilities that will help to increase access to sustainable, safe and reliable water with a clear focus on countries that are most vulnerable to the climate crisis.

How will the platform help mobilize investment in the water sector to drive transformative and sustainable impact?

Water infrastructure projects are particularly capital-intensive. An increasing funding gap requires mobilizing sustainable investments in the sector. The private sector needs to be actively engaged to close this funding gap and with the AWID platform, we are doing just that.

Our partnership with BII will leverage our high-value engineering and use of innovative technologies with access to unrivalled financial resources and support.

The platform will demonstrate a viable commercial model for water infrastructure and provision in Africa, helping to mobilize long-term investment into the sector. Its investments will integrate green technologies and alternative energy components which will help to reduce the environmental footprint of water infrastructure projects.

By developing, investing, and operating greenfield water and sanitation projects, as well as seeking out potential concessions and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sectors in Africa, the platform will improve the availability, reliability, and quality of water for end consumers and businesses and thereby strengthen African countries’ resilience to climate change.

The barges are scalable due to their modular design, with the possibility of post treatment facilities in a modular configuration too

"The project enables Saudi Arabia to meet Vision 2030 and National Water Strategy goals to provide high-quality water in line with SDG 6"

Finally, could you discuss Metito’s business model and its strategy to be a leading actor in the global water industry?

Metito prides itself on having a direct and tangible impact on the governments, industries, and communities that we serve, and we believe real ownership can only be achieved if sustainability is fully integrated into any business model. Guided by Metito’s founding principles; Impact, Sustainability, and Innovation, we leverage Metito’s high-value engineering capabilities as we continuously tackle complex water requirements through innovative solutions.

Metito is an enabler of the circular economy; we work closely with our stakeholders to deliver sustainable wa-

ter infrastructure solutions that are time and climate resilient. We believe we have an edge when it comes to our ability to understand and assess the parameters associated with entering new markets and what is paramount to our decision-making process is the long-term economic and commercial viability of any project. Overlayed with the strength of our people and business leaders, this makes a good recipe for success and a strong growth trajectory.

To enable access to sustainable water resources, in some of the most challenging markets, we are building some of the first and largest projects of their types across markets and introducing Public-Private Partnerships to secure their funding. Our knowledge of dis-

tinct local market requirements - and challenges- and our ability to access global resources through our shareholders, including Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – are reasons behind our continued success so far.

There are many opportunities that are yet to be tapped in wastewater recycling and reuse, energy-efficient desalination, and environmentally friendly technologies – and Metito is well equipped to lead on these fronts.  Our work is attuned to local market needs and aligned with the UN SDG 6 - Clean Water & Sanitation and SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities & Communities, to name a few.

Al Mahsamma agricultural drainage treatment, recycling and reuse plant in Egypt.

VEOLIA WINS €300 MILLION CONTRACT TO DESIGN ENERGY-EFFICIENT DESALINATION PLANT IN ABU DHABI

nation, to lower energy consumption and improve productivity.

Veolia, the world leader in water technologies, will lead, via its subsidiary SIDEM, a consortium in charge of the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the Mirfa 2 desalination project commissioned by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) and ENGIE. Located in Abu Dhabi, this state-of-the-art Reverse Osmosis Desalination (M2 RO) will be the third-largest desalination plant in the UAE. With a production capacity of 550,000 m3 per day of potable water, it will provide clean drinking water to approximately 210,000 households while offering increased efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint. The contract represents revenue of approximately 300 million euros for Veolia. Project construction will begin in Q2 2023 so the plant can be commissioned by 2025.

Most of the drinking water used in the UAE comes from the sea. To manage the growth in water consumption and to compensate for the aging of existing facilities, mainly thermal desalination plants, the country has decided to use the latest advanced technologies and engineering processes to increase its desalination capacity while reducing its energy consumption. A strategy that strongly supports the country’s 2050 carbon neutrality ambition.

Relying on Veolia’s worldwide expertise in water desalination, the Mirfa 2 plant will follow the latest developments in environmental and efficiency standards for desalination, featuring advanced technological processes such as reverse osmosis, which represents strong efficiency gains compared to traditional thermal desali -

“Growing desalination capacities in a sustainable way is crucial, as they are a part of the mix of solutions needed to address water scarcity across the globe, and especially in the Middle East. With Mirfa 2 Reverse Osmosis, Veolia continues to raise the bar for environmental and operational standards in desalination, further contributing to the ecological transformation of the sector, which has already made significant progress over the years,” said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia. “This project follows the successful commissioning of four other flagship desalination plants in the past 18 months to bring drinking water to more than six million people in Saudi Arabia, Umm Al Quwain (UAE), Bahrain and Iraq. This achievement confirms our leading position in water technologies and our commitment to leveraging our expertise and our capacity for innovation to deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable water access solutions.”

Desalination by reverse osmosis, which is based on membrane filtration, is the most widespread technological solution in countries that use desalination to combat water stress, as it reduces their energy consumption. Since the 1970s, SIDEM, a Veolia subsidiary specialized in desalination operations, has acquired unparalleled experience in this field and has become the world leader, with nearly 8 million m3 of desalinated water per day.

With a capacity of 550,000 m 3 per day, the plant will serve 210,000 households

ORASCOM AND METITO TO DEVELOP SEAWATER TREATMENT AND WATER TRANSPORTATION PROJECT FOR $2.4 BN

The project will comprise a greenfield seawater nanofiltration plant with a treatment capacity of 110 million imperial gallons per day

A consortium of Orascom Construction and Metito will, together with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company PJSC (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA), develop, own, and operate a large-scale seawater treatment and water transportation project worth up to $2.4 billion in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Orascom Construction is the consortium leader.

The greenfield project will be funded through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) on a build, own, operate and transfer

(BOOT) model for 30 years. ADNOC and TAQA will jointly hold a 51% stake in the SPV, and Orascom Construction and Metito will own 49% (24.5% each).

The mega project will comprise a greenfield seawater nanofiltration plant with a treatment capacity of more than 110 million imperial gallons per day (500,000 m3 /day) in addition to seawater intake and outfall facilities, pumping stations, a water transmission pipeline of approximately 75 km, and an infield distribution network of more than 23 0km to support

SPAIN WILL OPEN THE COUNTRY’S FIRST PLANT TO PRODUCE GREEN HYDROGEN FROM RECYCLED WATER IN 2024

Two renewable technologies will be used as an energy source: photovoltaic solar generation and biogas cogeneration from the plant itself

Canal Isabel II, the water management company for Madrid, Spain’s capital, will open the country’s first green hydrogen plant produced from reclaimed water in 2024, according to a statement released by the company. The construction and operation of Canal Isabel II’s first hydrogen plant will be worth €7.3 million (US$ 7.88 million). The works are expected to be carried out over the next 13 months and the new facility is expected to be operational by the middle of next year.

The hydrogen plant will be built in Pinto, at the Arroyo Culebro Cuenca Media Alta plant, and its initial capacity will be around 80,000 kg of hydrogen per year. This is a cutting-edge project because Canal de Isabel II will produce the hydrogen in this plant from reclaimed water. It will do so by means of electrolysis, using as an energy source the hybridisation of two renewable technologies: photovoltaic solar generation and biogas cogeneration from the use of waste from the treatment plant itself.

reservoir pressure maintenance in the Bab and Bu Hasa fields in Abu Dhabi.

The project will replace the current aquifer water injection systems used for maintaining reservoir pressure in ADNOC’s onshore oil fields, thereby ensuring sustainable water supply for ADNOC’s onshore operations while preserving the UAE’s natural aquifer resources. The project will also enhance energy efficiency by up to 30% and reduce ADNOC’s environmental footprint compared to the current injection system.

Thanks to the tertiary treatment applied in this installation, Canal Isabel II will be able to supply regenerated water to cover the entire water demand required by the electrolyser (12 l of water to produce 1 kg of hydrogen). Thus, this hydrogen plant will be unique because it will obtain all the energy necessary for its operation from renewable sources, produced at the facility itself. It will also be the first plant in Spain to use recycled water as a source of hydrogen generation, instead of drinking water.

PROF. CELESTE SAULO

Prof. Celeste Saulo, the Director of Argentina’s National Meteorological Service, has been appointed as the first female Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). With her appointment, she will take charge of the organisation at the forefront of global efforts to monitor and deal with climate change and extreme weather events. Prof. Saulo will assume her role on January 1, 2024, succeeding Prof. Petteri Taalas.

Prof. Saulo aims to strengthen meteorological and hydrological services to protect populations and economies, provide timely and effective services, and establish early warning systems. She has emphasised the need to hear all Member countries equally,

prioritising vulnerable populations and aligning actions with the specific needs of each Member.

Her career has revolved around academia, combining research, teaching and university management. She has been actively involved with WMO, serving as a member of various expert scientific panels and currently serving as the First Vice-President of WMO.

Prof. Saulo’s research has focused on the South American Monsoon System and interdisciplinary problems related to wind energy production, agricultural applications, and early warning systems. She has authored or co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and book chapters.

WATER TREATMENT

ELIMINATING “FOREVER CHEMICALS”

FROM OUR WATER

Z Jeff Lewis, General Manager, ECT2

For decades, manufacturers found a wide range of uses for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The properties of these synthetic chemicals made them ideal for many products, from frying pans to firefighting foam. In the last decade, however, governments in Europe have learnt more about their health risks. They are now imposing limits on PFAS concentrations in water, and many organisations are looking for ways to remove PFAS from their water altogether.

PFAS is a term used to denote more than 4,500 different compounds found in many industrial and commercial products. They are also commonly known as “forever chemicals” due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which make them highly resistant to degradation. As a result, they remain in the natural environment for years, if not centuries, without breaking down.

These substances are now ubiquitous because they have been used in a wide range of everyday products and processes ever since the 1940s, valued for their surface-active properties and ability to repel both water and fats. Their high chemical and thermal stability make them useful in food processing

PFAS aren’t just in our products and our industrial processes; they are also in our soil, in our food, in our water, and in our blood

equipment, food packaging, firefighting foams, stain-resistant coatings, paints, varnishes, cleaning products, and cosmetics like shampoo, dental floss, nail polish, and eye makeup. Workers encounter them in various industries, including construction, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and chemicals.

Associated health problems

PFAS aren’t just in our products and our industrial processes; they are also in our soil, in our food, in our water, and in our blood. They have been detected in virtually every region of the world and, according to the European Environment Agency, most of the global population is exposed to them. Recent studies have found PFAS have contaminated the drinking water of millions of Europeans.

What concerns the public about these chemicals isn’t just their spread as pollutants; it’s that some PFAS have been linked with cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, immune system dysfunction, increased cholesterol levels and various other health problems. In

an assessment in 2020, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found that part of the European population exceeds the tolerable weekly intake for some PFAS: perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS).

Increasingly stringent regulations

As the risks become clearer, European governments are acting to limit exposure to PFAS and protect their citizens’ health. They are achieving this through restrictions on the use of PFAS, as well as focusing on their detection and remediation. In accordance with the Stockholm Convention,

the European Union (EU) imposed restrictions on PFOS many years ago, banned PFOA in 2020, and looks likely to ban PFHxS too.

More recently, the European Commission has published a regulation setting maximum levels for certain PFAS in food, and in January this year, the EU’s Drinking Water Directive passed into law, imposing new limits for all PFAS in drinking water. Member States have two years from this date in which to comply with this directive. In addition, five EU Member States –Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden – have submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to restrict PFAS under the EU’s Registration, Evalua -

tion, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.

Removing PFAS from water

In response to new and incoming regulations, many governmental and private organisations are working with ECT2, a Montrose Environmental Group company, to remove PFAS from water. Some have acted quickly, before new standards are in place, to avoid potential liability.

ECT2 has been dealing with PFAS since 2013. Its customisable treatment systems are suitable for removing these chemicals from groundwater, process water, wastewater, landfill leachate, and drinking water. More than 350 of these systems are deployed or under construction worldwide. Collectively, they have treated more than 10 billion litres of water to date.

One of several solutions the company offers is called SORBIX™ PURE, which uses a 5-micron filter to remove organic material and two columns in which specialised resin media reduce PFAS concentrations to below detection levels. The synthetic resins, composed of a neutral, hydrophobic backbone, divinylbenzene cross links, and positively charged exchange sites, are essentially adsorbents with ion exchange functionality. The hydrophobic carbon-fluorine tail of a typical PFAS molecule adsorbs to the resin’s hydrophobic backbone and cross links, and the negatively charged head of the PFAS molecule is attracted to the resin’s positively charged ion exchange

As the risks become clearer, European governments are acting to limit exposure to PFAS and protect their citizens’ health

site. Having used the ion exchange technology to attract and trap the PFAS molecules, the system then allows clean water to flow through. This technology, using a combination of adsorption and ion exchange, produces a PFAS removal capacity that is 13x more effective in comparison to other technologies such as granular activated carbon (GAC). SORBIX™ PURE is the most efficient technology on the market for removing PFAS compounds, including short-chain molecules.

Minimising waste in PFAS removal

A key problem for organisations filtering out PFAS from contaminated water is the sheer volume of material that

many of them use for the job. Some companies using GAC to remove PFAS find they have to swap out this carbon several times a week. For their systems to remain effective, they need to do this on a continuous basis, resulting in thousands of tonnes of PFAS-laden carbon that they need to take away to be incinerated. An advantage of using ion exchange resin, instead of carbon, is that it uses just a fraction of the volume of material needed to remove the same amount of PFAS.

To reduce their waste and costs even further, some organisations make use of a patented system from ECT2 called SORBIX™ RePURE, which allows PFAS-saturated resin to be regenerated on-site and reused many times. This is the only regenerable ion exchange system available on the market. Instead of requiring users to remove and dispose of their resin, this system uses a special solution to remove the PFAS from the resin so that it is ready to be used again. The system then distils this solution, so that, like the resin, it can also be reused.

Remediating water

ECT2’s full-scale installations of remediable ion exchange technology have proven effective in eliminating PFAS for many years, and in different parts of the world. An early example is from 2014, when environmental investigations at a Royal Australian Air Force base in Williamtown, Australia, found the chemicals in ground and surface water. The Australian government’s Department of Defence sought to treat it, to prevent its further spread. To meet this challenge, ECT2 set up a water treatment process that first removed solids and other organic matter from the water, and then used ion exchange resin to remove the PFAS. The system was successful, and the authorities requested an upgrade to manage higher flow rates. The system has purified over 427 million litres of surface water with no exceedances since April 2019.

Another ion exchange system from ECT2 is in use at the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, USA, where PFOA and PFOS used for fire-training activities had found their way into the

Many governmental and private organisations are working with ECT2, a Montrose Environmental Group company, to remove PFAS from water

ECT2 plant in Williamtown, Australia.

regional aquifer. The GAC solution used at first to remove PFAS at the site had been creating a large amount of spent waste, each vessel lasting only 2-3 weeks before needing a change-out, so the United States Air Force Civil Engineering Center moved quickly to find a more sustainable alternative. After a side-byside pilot study comparing SORBIX™ RePURE and bituminous GAC, the former went into full-scale operation in 2018, and has treated more than 130 million litres of PFAS-impacted water to date, with an average influent PFAS concentration of 48 µg/l. Current estimates indicate that the system is operating at an approximate concentration factor of one million to one: i.e., about one gallon of solid waste is generated for every million gallons of water treated. This is due in part to SuperLoading™, a patented process developed by ECT2 that further concentrates the PFAS recovered during the regeneration and distillation processes.

A more recent example of ion exchange technology in action is the work

ECT2 is doing to help a pilot customer in Halmstad, Sweden, to remediate drinking water. Responsible for the local public water supply, Laholmsbuktens VA wants to tackle the issue of PFAS that has polluted the groundwater over time. The team also wants to ensure that its drinking water complies with the Swedish Food Agency’s regulations, which specify maximum PFAS4 levels

of 4 ng/l. They were not sure, however, which technology would provide the most cost-effective way to achieve this. For the pilot project, ECT2 suggested testing two systems side by side: (1) a traditional system using granular activated carbon, and (2) ECT2’s ion exchange system SORBIX™ PURE. The two systems tested the same water. The test showed that SORBIX™ PURE had a dramatically longer lifespan than activated carbon. Using this system will result in lower waste generation and lower lifecycle costs for Laholmsbuktens VA.

ECT2’s SORBIX™ PURE and SORBIX™ RePURE technology have the potential to dramatically reduce the waste and costs associated with PFAS remediation. The prevalence of ECT2’s regenerative technology for treating PFAS is likely to increase as new and future regulations are put in place to protect public health.

ECT2’s SORBIX™ PURE and SORBIX™

RePURE technology have the potential to dramatically reduce the waste and costs of PFAS remediation

Forward flow water treatment.

SORBIX™ PURE is the most efficient technology on the market for removing PFAS compounds, including short-chain molecules

BRINE INNOVATION MANAGER, NEOM PORTFOLIO AT WORLEY

CHRISTOS CHARISIADIS

By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages and authorities are increasingly looking to desalination as a viable option for providing freshwater. Thanks to a downward trend of desalination costs as well as an increase in costs of conventional water treatment and water reuse, seawater desalination will continue in the next decade to further establish itself as a reliable option for coastal communities worldwide.

With over 20,000 desalination plants contracted in the world, the desalination process has evolved significantly in recent years. To enhance the sustainability and efficiency of this process, the most avant-garde desalination projects, most of which are located in the Middle East, are boosting the use of renewable electricity and prioritizing the elimination or reduction of brine discharge. In this interview, water treatment expert Christos Charisiadis, Brine Innovation Manager, NEOM portfolio at Worley, shares his thoughts with Smart Water Magazine about the

Z Olivia Tempest

beneficiation of saline effluents from seawater desalination plants, the future of desalination and the potential of the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) strategy.

Can you please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at Worley?

My path has always been an unorthodox one, always trying to get to the next point by finding the niche opportunity to follow my interests and apply them to the field. Thus, my career starts as a civil engineering student solving load equations but trying with every step to understand more about water. In my second master’s, I came across the treatment of highly saline brines and since then that particular part of the industry fascinated me with its potential for research and commercial applications. Lenntech in the Netherlands was my first real chance to enter this field and grow my understanding of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and my network

worldwide. Through years of effort, I became one of the very few professionals worldwide who have an in-depth understanding and know-how of the treatment of brines and the potential recovery of Salts & Minerals. Worley and its involvement in the NEOM project came almost as a natural choice when my current employers approached me to ask if I wanted to participate in the team which is tasked with solving perhaps the most complex water megaproject worldwide. Currently, I am trying on a daily basis to improve upon the concept design of the operation, connecting the dots and making sure that the bigger picture operationally and commercially makes sense.

The most innovative seawater desalination projects worldwide are currently focusing on two major areas: the first is being powered by renewable electricity and the second is not discharging any brine into the sea during the desalination process. What are your opinions about these projects? In your opinion, can it be achieved?

The focus on using renewable electricity to power seawater desalination projects is a positive development. Traditional desalination processes often rely on fossil fuels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. By utilizing renewable energy sources, desalination projects can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Eliminating the discharge of brine into the sea is another important objective. Brine is a by-product of desalination and contains concentrated salt and other minerals. Depending on the situation (e.g. closed water bodies), discharging large volumes of brine can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems by increasing salinity levels and harming marine organisms. Developing technologies that can effectively manage and minimize brine discharge is crucial to mitigate these environmental impacts.

"Brine valorization has the potential to transform the desalination sector into a more sustainable and resource-efficient industry"

"By utilizing renewable energy sources, desalination projects can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future"

While these goals are commendable, achieving them on a large scale may come with several challenges. Implementing renewable energy systems for desalination requires significant investment in infrastructure and technology. The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources also poses challenges to ensuring continuous desalination operations. However, advancements in energy storage and hybrid systems can help address these challenges.

Eliminating brine discharge entirely is a complex task as brine disposal remains a major challenge for desalination plants. NEOM is currently exploring various innovative approaches, such as brine concentration technologies that bring down the downstream cost for resource recovery from brines. Separating the Monovalent with the Polyvalent ions sure is a big step towards this approach, but then you need to find the best possible process chain configurations through the means of chemis-

try and system operational knowledge, to achieve a concentration of Thermal Evaporators with membranes only with both brine streams, in order for the >210g/L brines to go to the salt crystallization operations that hold their own series of complexity and inherent risk factors.

It’s important to note that the feasibility and success of these projects may vary depending on local conditions, including water availability, energy infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and economic factors. However, with increasing global concerns about water scarcity, environmental sustainability, and the maturing of renewable energy technologies, it is likely that more efforts and investments will be directed toward achieving renewable energy-powered desalination and zero liquid discharge in the future.

You are an expert on achieving commercially viable solutions for brine beneficiation into saleable products,

including gypsum, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), salt, potassium-based fertilizers, and magnesium. Could you tell us a bit more about brine beneficiation and what it means for the desalination sector?

Extracting valuable materials or resources from the brine generated during desalination or other water treatment processes aims to minimize waste and maximize the utilization of otherwise lost resources. This approach aligns with the principles of a circular economy and sustainable resource management.

Brine valorization has several benefits for the desalination sector:

J Waste reduction: Instead of disposing of the brine as a waste product, brine valorization helps minimize waste and promotes a more sustainable approach to desalination.

J Resource efficiency: By extracting valuable materials from the brine, brine valorization maximizes the utilization of the available resources, contributing to resource efficiency and reducing the need for extraction from other sources.

J Economic opportunities: Brine valorization can create economic opportunities by turning the brine into valuable products. It can generate new industries, employment, and revenue streams associated with the recovery and utilization of extracted materials.

J Environmental sustainability: By minimizing brine discharge and extracting valuable resources, brine valorization reduces the environmental impact of desalination processes. It helps prevent the potential harm to marine ecosystems

"It is likely that more efforts will be directed toward achieving renewable energy-powered desalination and zero liquid discharge in the future"

that can result from the direct disposal of concentrated brine.

Brine valorization is an area of active research and development, with ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency, scalability, and viability of various valorization techniques. It has the potential to transform the desalination sector into a more sustainable and resource-efficient industry, contributing to the circular economy principles and addressing the environmental challenges associated with water treatment processes.

What are the potential economic benefits of brine beneficiation?

The process of extracting valuable materials from brine generated during desalination can bring several potential economic benefits:

Revenue generation: Brine valorization can create new revenue streams for desalination plants. By extracting valuable materials from brine, such as salt, metals, minerals, or chemicals, these resources can

be sold in the market, generating additional income for the desalination facility.

Cost reduction: Brine disposal is a significant cost for desalination plants. Instead of treating and discharging brine, valorization allows for the recovery of valuable materials, which can offset the costs associated with brine management and disposal. This can contribute to overall cost reduction and improve the economic feasibility of desalination projects.

Resource conservation: Brine valorization promotes the efficient use of resources. Recovering valuable components from brine, such as metals or minerals, reduces the need for traditional resource extraction methods, such as mining. This can lead to cost savings and reduced environmental impacts associated with resource extraction.

Job creation and local economic development: Brine valorization can create employment opportunities and contribute to local economic development. The establishment of brine valorization facilities and associated industries can create jobs in areas such as research and development, technology deployment, resource extraction, manufacturing, and marketing.

Diversification of industries: Brine valorization can stimulate the growth of new industries or the expansion of existing ones. The recovered materials can be

used in various sectors, such as chemical production, agriculture, manufacturing, and energy storage. This diversification can enhance regional or national economies by fostering innovation, attracting investments, and reducing dependence on traditional sectors.

Enhanced sustainability credentials: Brine valorization aligns with sustainability goals by reducing waste generation and promoting circular economy principles. Industries and companies that implement brine valorization practices can improve their sustainability credentials, which can enhance their reputation and competitiveness in the market.

It’s worth noting that the economic benefits of brine valorization can vary depending on factors such as the concentration and composition of the brine, the technological processes involved, market demand for the recovered materials, and the cost of extraction and purification technologies. Additionally, the economic viability of brine valorization projects will depend on factors like scale, infrastructure requirements, and regional market conditions.

Overall, by turning a waste stream into a valuable resource, brine valorization has the potential to generate economic value, reduce costs, promote sustainable practices, and contribute to local and regional economic development.

What role does digitalization play to achieve brine beneficiation?

Digitalization plays a significant role in achieving brine valorization by enabling process optimization, data-driven decision-making, and enhancing overall efficiency. Here are some ways in which digitalization contributes to brine valorization:

Data collection and monitoring: Digital technologies can collect and monitor real-time data from desalination plants, including brine composition, flow rates, and process parameters. This data helps in understanding the brine’s character-

Extracting materials or resources from the brine generated during desalination or other water treatment processes aims to minimize waste

"Brine valorization can contribute to the circular economy and address the environmental challenges associated with water treatment processes"

istics and identifying potential valuable components for recovery.

Process optimization: Digital tools, such as advanced sensors and monitoring systems, can provide insights into the performance of brine valorization processes. By analyzing data, process engineers can identify bottlenecks, optimize operational parameters, and improve the efficiency of resource recovery from brine.

Predictive analytics: By leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms, digitalization enables predictive analytics to optimize brine valorization processes. These tools can analyze historical data and provide predictions on process performance, resource recovery rates, and material quality, allowing for proactive decision-making and process improvements.

Simulation and modelling: Digital simulations and modelling techniques can be used to simulate and optimize brine valorization processes before implementation. These virtual models help in designing efficient recovery systems, evaluating different scenarios, and reducing the time and costs associated with physical experimentation.

Resource tracking and traceability: Digitalization enables tracking and traceability of recovered materials from brine valorization. By implementing digital systems, it becomes possible to monitor the entire lifecycle of the recovered materials, including extraction, processing, distribution, and utilization. This enhances transparency, quality control, and compliance with regulatory standards.

Collaboration and knowledge sharing: Digital platforms and communication tools facilitate collaboration among stakeholders involved in brine valorization projects. Researchers, engineers, policymakers, and industry experts can connect, share knowledge, and exchange best practices, accelerating innovation and advancements in the field.

Optimization of resource allocation: Digitalization allows for improved re-

source allocation by analyzing data on material recovery rates, market demand, and cost analysis. This helps in optimizing the allocation of recovered materials to different industries or sectors, maximizing economic returns and minimizing waste.

Digitalization can bring significant benefits to the brine valorization process by enhancing operational efficiency, improving resource recovery rates, reducing costs, and enabling better decision-making. It empowers stakeholders to optimize processes, monitor performance, and maximize the economic and environmental benefits associated with extracting valuable resources from brine.

You also have worked extensively on Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), a wastewater management strategy that eliminates liquid waste and maximizes water usage efficiency. How has this strategy developed in the last years?

The Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) strategy has gained attention and development in the water sector in recent years due to its potential for mitigating water scarcity, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainable water management. Here are some notable developments and trends related to ZLD:

Technology advancements: Significant progress has been made in developing and improving ZLD technologies. Innovative approaches such as membrane-based processes, evaporation and crystallization techniques, forward osmosis, and hybrid systems have emerged to achieve higher water recovery rates and minimize waste generation. These advancements have made ZLD more efficient, cost-effective, and applicable to a wider range of industries and applications.

Industrial applications: ZLD has seen increasing adoption across various industrial sectors, including power generation, oil and gas, mining, chemical manufacturing, and textiles. These industries

produce significant volumes of wastewater with high levels of contaminants. Implementing ZLD systems allows for the recovery of water, valuable chemicals, and resources from the wastewater, reducing freshwater consumption and minimizing the environmental impact of wastewater discharge.

Policy and regulations: Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are recognizing the importance of sustainable water management practices and are implementing stricter regulations on wastewater discharge. ZLD is being encouraged or mandated in certain regions to address water scarcity, protect water resources, and minimize pollution. This has led to greater awareness and adoption of ZLD strategies in industries that need to comply with these regulations.

Water reuse and circular economy: ZLD is closely tied to the concept of water reuse and the circular economy. By implementing ZLD, wastewater is treated and processed to recover water and valuable resources, which can then be reused within the industrial processes or for other purposes such as irrigation, cooling, or groundwater recharge. This promotes the efficient use of water resources, reduces reliance on freshwater sources, and fosters a more sustainable and circular approach to water management.

Cost considerations: Initially, ZLD systems were associated with high capital and operational costs, which limited their widespread adoption. However, as technology advancements continue and economies of scale are achieved, the

"The economic viability of brine valorization projects will depend on scale, infrastructure requirements, and regional market conditions"

WORLEY

cost of ZLD systems has been gradually decreasing. Additionally, the potential for resource recovery and cost savings from reduced water consumption and wastewater treatment can make ZLD economically viable for many industries in the long term.

Innovation and research: Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving ZLD technologies, optimizing processes, and addressing challenges such as energy consumption, scaling, and the management of concentrated brine or solid waste generated during ZLD. Innovations such as the integration of renewable energy sources, modular systems, and novel membrane materials are being explored to enhance ZLD efficiency and sustainability.

Overall, the ZLD strategy has evolved as a promising approach in the water sector, driven by technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and the increasing emphasis on sustainable water management. As water scarcity and environmental concerns persist, ZLD is likely to continue its development and implementation in various industries, contributing to the conservation and efficient use of water resources.

Working on such an avant-garde project, what do you expect the desalination sector to look like in the next decade?

The desalination sector is expected to undergo significant changes and advancements in the next decade. Here are some key trends and expectations for the future of the desalination sector:

Increased capacity and global expansion: The demand for desalinated water is expected to continue growing due to population growth, urbanization, and water scarcity issues. As a result, the desalination sector is likely to witness an increase in capacity and further expansion globally, especially in regions with high water stress or limited freshwater resources.

Technological advancements: The desalination industry will continue to invest in research and development to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of desalination processes. Advancements in membrane technologies, energy recovery systems, hybrid systems, and innovative brine management techniques will contribute to higher water recovery rates, reduced energy consumption, and minimized environmental impact.

Integration of renewable energy: To address the environmental concerns associated with energy-intensive desalination processes, there will be a greater focus on integrating renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and wave power into desalination plants. This will help reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable desalination sector.

Emphasis on brine management and valorization: Brine management and brine valorization will continue to gain attention and become integral parts of desalination projects. The development of technologies and processes for brine concentration, resource recovery, and brine utilization will help minimize environmental impacts, reduce waste generation, and create economic opportunities through the extraction of valuable materials from brine.

Decentralized and modular desalination systems: The future of desalination may witness a shift towards decentralized and modular systems, allowing for more flexibility, scalability, and rapid deployment of desalination infrastructure.

Modular desalination units can be easily transported, installed, and integrated into existing water supply systems, providing a more efficient and adaptable approach to water production.

Smart water management and digitalization: The integration of digital technologies, data analytics, and automation will play a crucial role in optimizing desalination processes, improving operational efficiency, and enabling real-time monitoring and control. Smart water management systems will help optimize energy consumption, reduce operational costs, and enhance overall performance.

Collaboration and public-private partnerships: Collaboration between governments, private sector entities, and research institutions will continue to drive advancements in the desalination sector. Public-private partnerships will be essential to mobilize investments, foster innovation, and accelerate the deployment of sustainable and cost-effective desalination projects.

It’s important to note that the specific trajectory of the desalination sector will depend on various factors such as technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, market conditions, and the availability of resources. However, with the growing global water challenges, it is expected that the desalination sector will play an increasingly vital role in meeting water demand and ensuring water security in the coming decade.

What advice would you give young professionals or students looking to work in water treatment and more particularly, in the field of desalination?

If you’re a young professional or student looking to work in water treatment, particularly in the field of desalination, here are some pieces of advice:

Gain relevant education and skills: Pursue a degree or specialization in fields such as environmental engineering, chemical engineering, water resources management, or related disciplines.

"The Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) strategy has gained attention and development in recent years due to its potential for mitigating water scarcity"

Acquire knowledge about desalination technologies, water treatment processes, water chemistry, and water quality assessment. Consider attending workshops, conferences, and training programs specific to desalination to enhance your expertise.

Stay updated with industry advancements: Keep yourself informed about the latest developments, trends, and innovations in the desalination sector. Read scientific papers, industry publications, and research reports to understand the challenges and opportunities in the field. Follow reputable organizations, research institutions, and industry experts who are actively engaged in the desalination sector.

Gain practical experience through internships or research projects: Seek opportunities to gain practical experience in water treatment and desalination. Look for internships or research positions in water treatment companies, consulting firms, research institutions, or governmental agencies. Hands-on experience will provide valuable insights into the practical aspects of desalination and enhance your skills.

Join professional networks and associations: Engage with professional networks and associations in the water treatment and desalination sector. Attend conferences, seminars, and networking events to connect with industry professionals, researchers, and practitioners. These networks can provide valuable mentorship, learning opportunities, and career guidance.

Emphasize sustainability and environmental considerations: The desalination sector is increasingly focusing on sustainability and minimizing environmental impacts. Familiarize yourself with concepts such as energy efficiency, brine management, resource recovery, and circular economy approaches. Showcase your understanding of these aspects and highlight your commitment to sustainable water management practices.

Develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Water treatment, including desalination, involves complex challenges and requires analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Enhance your ability to analyze data, assess water quality parameters, and develop innovative solutions to optimize processes and address water treatment challenges.

Collaborate and seek mentorship: Collaborate with peers and professionals in the field. Seek mentorship from experienced professionals who can provide guidance and insights into the industry. Engage in discussions, share ideas, and collaborate on projects to get an in depth understanding of the industry.

The integration of digital technologies, data analytics, and automation will play a crucial role in optimizing desalination processes

DIRECTOR OF THE BENI SAF DESALINATION PLANT

MR MOHAMED CHAFFI

Energy saving and optimising operating costs in desalination with Filtralite®

Algeria, like other countries around the world, is facing increasing problems in managing its water resources. The country already has 14 seawater desalination plants, with a further 5 under construction. In order to cope with this new technology, which requires specific skills, the country is also launching a training and scientific research program in 4 of the country’s universities.

The 5 new, larger plants currently under construction will increase the amount of desalinated water produced by Algeria from 17% to 42%. They will, also, make more water available for agriculture.

The water situation in Algeria is characterised by major challenges. The country, located in an arid and semi-arid region, faces limited water resources and frequent drought conditions.

In Algeria, water availability per person is relatively low, which poses challenges not only for drinking water supply but also for agricultural irrigation and

industry. Water resources used to come mainly from rainfall, groundwater, and dams. However, rainfall is irregular and groundwater recharge is limited. In response, the Algerian government has introduced policies and programmes to improve water management, such as the construction of new dams and the expansion of drip irrigation. Yet problems of access to quality drinking water remain a reality for some rural and remote regions.

It is in this climate of widespread scarcity of water resources that Algeria is raising awareness of the need to conserve water, while at the same time looking for new outlets. Desalination is therefore part of this development strategy chosen by the government. Desalination plants play an essential role in diversifying sources of drinking water in Algeria, particularly in coastal areas where fresh water is scarce. They help to improve drinking water supplies for local populations.

Desalinating seawater requires major investment in terms of infrastructure and energy. It is against this backdrop that the solution offered by Filtralite® filter media is an interesting one for reducing the amount of water taken from the environment and the cost of running the plant.

We had the opportunity to interview Mr Mohamed Chaffi, Director of the Beni Saf desalination plant. This plant can produce up to 200,000 m3/day. It belongs to the Beni Saf Water Company and is operated by Tedagua. It is one of the largest water desalination plants in the Mediterranean.

Filtralite® was implemented in the plant in two stages: 24 filters in October 2020 and the rest in October 2021. The first replacement in 2020 enabled a comparison of filters with Filtralite® versus sand.

In recent years, Algeria’s coastal zone has experienced frequent episodes of high rainfall, resulting in high levels of suspended matter in the raw water. This suspended matter is mainly of mineral origin and is causing difficulties in the production of drinking water and an increase in operating costs.

To improve the situation, while minimising investment, the sand in the first

"In Algeria, water availability per person is relatively low, which poses challenges for drinking water supply, irrigation and industry"

filtration stage, 48 filters, was replaced with Filtralite®. The primary objective was to reduce rack downtime when TSS levels are high and to optimise operating costs by reducing the frequency of backwashing. In addition, this change of media improved the quality of the filtered water and reduced pressure drops.

Production losses for the same period, from November 2019 to February 2020, have been compared with those for 2020-2021. Production losses fell from 673,000 m3 to 380,000 m3: a reduction of 45%. With the replacement of the remaining 24 filters, it is expected - based on 2020 data - that the reduction in production losses will be 85%.

As well as being a highly competitive scenario, replacing sand with Filtralite® reduces production losses due to frequent backwashing, cuts the water needed for backwashing, and optimises operating costs - energy, cartridges, chemical cleaning, O&M.

Read what Mr Chaffi has to say about using St Gobain’s Filtralite® solution.

Can you present your career, your current role, and your degree of involvement in the Beni Saf project?

Mr Chaffi Mohamed, General Manager of Benisaf Water Company Spa, a joint venture between Grupo ACS and AEC

"Filtralite® filter media reduces the amount of water taken from the environment and the cost of running the desalination plant"

Desalination plants play an essential role in diversifying sources of drinking water in Algeria, particularly in coastal areas

Spa. I am an engineer in urban hydraulics and I have been working in the seawater desalination sector since 2008. As General Manager of BWC Spa since 2014, I have participated in several improvements in the plant including the change of the filtration sand by Filtralite®.

Can you give us a few figures on the characteristics of your plant? What solutions did you have for the filtration stage before the installation of Filtralite®?

The Beni Saf seawater desalination plant has been in operation since 2010 and has produced a total of 830 million cubic metres as of 31 December 2022. Prior to the installation of Filtralite®, the plant’s process used filter sand.

How did you hear about the Filtralite® solution? What made you decide to take the plunge into this innovative filtering

media? What barriers did you eventually encounter during this project?

I learned about Filtralite® during a professional event with Baptiste Rogeau at WEX Lisbon 2016. The characteristics of the product and the advantages offered attracted my interest in this product. At that time, I found a barrier regarding the product’s marketing certificate as it was not yet used in seawater desalination plants, but on the other hand the advantages were numerous. So, we decided to invest in the Filtralite® filter media and certainly no regrets.

What problems justified the choice of Filtralite® media? Were you able to solve these problems with Filtralite®? The problem encountered in the pre-treatment of the plant is the suspended solids (SS) which are limited by the process to 25 mg/l which obliges us to stop the plant to secure the equipment. We were able to partially solve this problem by increasing the SS limit to 40 mg/l with Filtralite® corresponding to a more than 62.5% increase on our rates. Were you able to discover any unexpected results, positive or otherwise?

The results are positive because, since the installation of the Filtralite®, we have far exceeded this initial process limit. We have even continued to produce, partial-

ly, with SS reaching a level of 70 mg/l in 2022.

How would you describe the main aspects of Filtralite® and its advantages over your original solution?

The main aspects of Filtralite® are:

- Reduction of washing sequences

- Operation with SS above 25 mg/l

- Energy saving

"I learned about Filtralite® during a professional event. The characteristics of the product and the advantages offered attracted my interest"

Replacing sand with Filtralite® reduces production losses, cuts the water needed for backwashing, and optimises operating costs

Do you have any idea how much energy you are saving with the Filtralite® solution? What would be your estimated return on investment? Could you give us more details on this calculation?

The amount of energy saved in the pre-treatment area is estimated at around 10%. It is thousands of dollars we can save every year. Our estimated return on

investment is 4 years due to the increase in the SS limit.

If you had to do it all over again, would you choose the Filtralite® solution? Would you recommend it to your colleagues?

Yes, I would do it again with pleasure. I have already recommended it to other stations.

What are the next projects in your factory?

Our next projects are the certification of our integrated system with the ISO 9001/ISO 45001/IS0 14001/ISO 50001 standards, the installation of 11 variable speed drives, and the installation of solar panels on all the factory’s roofs to produce 1.5 MWp.

The Middle East faces the pressing challenge of meeting the needs of its growing population while maintaining a healthy balance of its water ecosystems. In this context, where innovative solutions are a must to make every water drop count, Ingeteam Water brings a focus on pumping solutions and optimizing water cycle management.

Z Ilham Cherradi – Ingeteam Water Sales Area Manager

Known for its captivating landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage, the Middle East holds great historical significance. In recent decades, it has also become an innovation hub in many fields. The one we will examine in this article can be summed up in one word: Water.

A precious resource, its increasing scarcity is making it more valuable with each passing day. Although a trendy topic of global significance, the Middle East is not new to the challenges of water management. Throughout the centuries, the arid Middle Eastern climate has forced its growing civilizations to explore ingenious ways to harness the power of the water on hand and face the pressing issues brought by water scarcity. Nowadays, this has translated into groundbreaking projects that are reshaping the water landscape of the region. From ancient civilizations and hydraulic engineering marvels to today’s leading-edge technologies, the region has seen dry lands turn into fertile farms and mega-cities thriving in the desert.

Through improving agricultural productivity, supporting industrial advances, and driving urbanization, water can be a true catalyst for progress in any area, and the Middle East is no exception. With this in mind, efficient water use in the region has undoubtedly laid a strong foundation for a stable economy and sustainable environmental practices in the region.

Of all the challenges faced by the Middle East, perhaps the most pressing is meeting the needs of its growing population while maintaining a healthy balance of its vulnerable water ecosystems. Climate change effects are noticeable as they have brought on severe droughts and exacer-

Ingeteam Hydraulic Testing Laboratory Beasain, Spain

bated water scarcity, creating a breeding ground for transboundary conflicts. Amplifying this issue, the Middle East, although known for its significant energy reserves, is confronted with the complex relationship between energy production and water management.

Fluctuations in the global energy market, intertwined with the increased water demands have driven a strong focus on

energy efficiency in the water sector, intending to reduce the energy footprint of water management in the Middle East. As for infrastructure conditions, they significantly vary across the different countries. Some have achieved modern water facilities, while others still struggle to upgrade and maintain aging systems. As a consequence, they face deteriorating equipment leading to considerable water

losses, in addition to water shortages, and increasing maintenance costs.

In the face of such serious difficulties, innovative solutions are a must to make every water drop count. From Beasain, in Spain, Ingeteam Water brings a focus on pumping solutions and optimizing water management throughout the entire cycle. With a product portfolio of Indar submersible pumps and motors as well as control systems, frequency converters, and operation and maintenance services, we cater to both conventional and non-conventional applications from deep groundwater intake, to desalination as well as wastewater management and water reuse. What makes us different? High levels of product customization to every project and context.

In the Middle East, as water and energy go hand in hand, efficiency becomes key. Consequently, submersible pumping solutions are a really interesting option. For instance, for deep well intakes, our Indar centrifugal multistage pumps are compact and allow optimizing coupling-related efficiency losses compared with other technologies. Moreover, with fine-tuned hydraulic designs, the most precise control of water flows is possible, which translates into significant energy savings in the long run. Due to rising energy costs, this argument becomes valuable for sustainable management of water resources in the region.

In addition, submersible sets require little maintenance which also translates into substantial economic savings. As for the Indar water-filled motors, they are maintenance-free and can be relied

In the Middle East, as water and energy go hand in hand, efficiency becomes key, and submersible pumping solutions are an interesting option

on for years, requiring very little care. In addition, this makes the submersible technology the best choice for exceptional durability. Indeed, in some of the arid regions of the Middle East, water scarcity imposes resilient and reliable infrastructure to sustain the lives of their population. The more robust the water system, the more maximized is water produc-

tion. Moreover, Ingeteam’s submersible solutions are designed to withstand harsh environments such as extreme air and water temperatures that can be found in these areas. In Saudi Arabia for example, some of our pumps are designed to operate at water temperatures higher than 70 degrees Celsius. In addition, our volute and axial pumps can also withstand significant solids content, all the while remaining a silent solution, advantageous for populated areas, by bringing no disturbance to inhabitants.

It is also important to mention that Ingeteam Water answers to high-quality standards and every single one of our motors and pumps is tested in our stateof-the-art facilities in Beasain. Our 30 m deep test bench is a testimony to the company’s investment in excellence. It allows us to test even our biggest products with parameters of up to 21.600 m3/h, 1000 m head, and 13.8 kV.

Ingeteam has been active in the Middle East for years, on many inspiring and challenging applications, aiming to face an array of challenges. Many projects are a testimony to our teams’ expertise and years of experience. In the middle of the Egyptian desert, dozens of Indar UGP centrifugal pumps are elevating water from the depths of the aquifers effectively reclaiming acres of desertic lands, creating life out of dryness by use of the latest agricultural practices. The entire design of the pumps was adapted to the wells’ diameters, limiting drilling. Their water-filled motor is environmentally friendly, making any risks of oil contamination impossible. In addition, they are all equipped with a bidirectional bearing that makes non-return valves unnecessary, hence eliminating any operational difficulties and maintenance needs that they can bring.

Some hundreds of kilometres to the East, numerous Indar pumps are contributing to pumping seawater in Saudi Arabia, The Emirates, and Oman. Adapting to warm seawater challenges,

In Saudi Arabia for example, some of our pumps are designed to operate at water temperatures higher than 70 degrees Celsius

Submersible technology has exceptional durability and requires little maintenance, which translates into substantial economic savings

Indar BF Pump

Designed for a water treatment plant

our equipment’s electrical and material design has been carefully thought out to operate most optimally. In installations where the water level is too low to ensure the required suction conditions, the UGP-M comes into play. The pump suction located at the bottom of the set allows for maximizing its submergence. It also optimizes pumping and allows for an efficient use of the available water.

When freshwater resources are limited, their recycling and reuse prove essential. Our solution of choice for wastewater treatment is our BF pump, a centrifugal volute pump typically coupled to an air-filled motor, designed for charged water. The numerous installation options, as well as a wide range of materials of construction, make BF pumps a very versatile product that contributes to reducing the strain on water supplies in the Middle East.

Looking ahead, as investments in water systems are expected to increase, they will enable the region to enhance its water supply capacity and significantly improve access to fresh water for its growing population. In parallel, strong attention to water conservation and demand strategies will continue the promotion of water optimization initiatives. In tackling these important challenges, identifying the right partner is key. This is where Ingeteam’s expertise in pumping solutions stands out. With a deep understanding of the Middle East water challenges and a proven track record in innovative solutions, we are committed to continue being the right partner in meeting the region’s needs.

Our solution of choice for wastewater treatment is our BF pump, a centrifugal volute pump typically coupled to an air-filled motor

Indar UGP Pump Pump Installation for the Irrigation Sector

LAWRENCE FIELD

FOUNDER AND CEO AT WATERIQ TECHNOLOGIES

FIVE PROACTIVE STRATEGIES F HARMFUL ALGAE GROWTH

A little fact… Cyanobacteria can grow and spread in nearly any body of water but are especially adept at multiplying in slow-moving and calmer waters, expanding significantly as a result of static water environments.

So what about freshwater? In freshwater lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, harmful algae blooms (HABs) are most often the result of cyanobacteria, most commonly known as blue-green algae. Most of these types of algae are naturally heavier than water but have built in buoyancy that allows them to come to the surface for sunlight. This buoyancy regulation keeps them at the same density as water, so small changes allow them to sink to the bottom for nutrients at night and also come to the surface early in the day for sunlight. As they cover the surface, they shade out the sunlight for other types of algae and plants below causing them to die. The dying biomass is consumed by bacteria causing a host of other issues such as depleting oxygen levels (bad for fish) as well as producing foul smells. As they die, they release nutrients like phosphate that in turn feed the cyanobacteria bloom making it grow even faster. Cyanobacteria are much older as a species and share many of the same attributes as algae such as the ability to photosynthesize. Thanks to their waste product, oxygen, we can breathe.

The threat of cyanobacteria has been increasing for years and with the rise in temperatures is becoming more of a problem. They are destructive and harm aquatic ecosystems, people, animals, drinking water supplies, the economy, recreational activities and everything we hold dear. In fact, it’s a worsening worldwide problem that requires immediate attention.

Before getting into the solutions, it is necessary to describe the primary cause of cyanoHABs or harmful blooms of cyanobacteria. These dangerous algae can bloom with extremely small amounts of phosphate pollution that gets into a water body. Phosphates typically come from farm fertilizer runoff,

over fertilization of lawns, phosphate-based cleaning soaps and surfactants. Overuse of algaecides (particularly the longterm use of copper sulphate) can eliminate useful beneficial bacteria in the sediment which can result in less phosphate consumed so more phosphate gets released. This is because the remaining bacteria unaffected by the copper sulphate are mostly anaerobic and they eventually cause the algae problem to spiral out of control by continuing to recycle phosphates back into the water column. This then fuels cyanobacteria, creating complex hydrocarbons that are poisonous to many organisms, including animals and humans.

Strategies and solutions to shut down harmful algae growth

Over the past decade, technologies have evolved to better manage cyanobacteria and other algae. While it can be a challenge to rank which products and approaches may be most relevant for a particular situation, the five proactive approaches below provide an overview of the solutions currently available to significantly lower the risk of a HAB and effectively manage the problem.

Ultrasound – Today’s ultrasonic algae control solutions are a technological leap beyond the first systems that came to market more than two decades ago. The latest systems transmit more than 2,000 frequencies to leave no stone unturned to target the most harmful cyanobacteria, so the effect is an order of magnitude greater compared to previous generation products. This makes the right ultrasonic algae mitigation platform an excellent preventative and active remedy to HABs. The most modern devices use critical structural resonance to achieve disabling both algae and cyanobacteria and avoid cavitation that can cause burns if touched by human skin.

It has been estimated that approximately 95% of the 70,000 species and two million sub-species of algae can be efficiently mitigated with ultrasound. This approach has been proven to be

Cyanobacteria are much older as a species and share many of the same attributes as algae such as the ability to photosynthesize

OR MINIMIZING

highly effective in thousands of lakes, ponds, and other water repositories at addressing a broad range of algae and cyanobacteria. These systems are a chemical-free solution, are safe to use, and do not upset the ecological balance of the environment.

Nutrient Mitigation – Beneficial bacteria are useful for removing excess phosphate, the primary nutrient that triggers algae blooms, by consuming the phosphate and converting it to a non-soluble form (polyphosphate) that remains in the bacterial cells. This removes it from the water column and the muck, preventing it from being continually recycled back into the water.

Aeration – Lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and other water body aeration products deliver water circulation and increase the amount of dissolved oxygen throughout the area, resulting in the reduction of nutrient/sunlight-driven cyanobacteria growth. One of the more common and visible forms of aerators are fountains and surface aerators. In deeper ponds (i.e., greater than 6 feet), bubbler-type diffusion aeration is most beneficial. The additional oxygen these provide to the water makes algae growth much more difficult by greater circulating the water from top to bottom. Aeration should not be viewed as the only solution in algae remediation especially when nutrients such as phosphorous are abundant.

Algaecides – Algaecides are chemical compounds that when applied to an area showing early signs of cyanobacteria or full infestations, kill the algae and either prevent or destroy a harmful algae bloom. There are several examples of these, including:

J Copper-based algaecides (copper sulphate, copper II alkanolamine, copper citrate, etc.)

J Potassium permanganate (can reduce water dissolved oxygen and works as an oxidizer)

J Chlorine (works to disinfect bacteria and algae – not for ponds with fish or other wildlife)

J Hydrated lime (cannot be used in ponds with fish due high pH change on addition)

J Hydrogen peroxide (sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate –dissolves to release hydrogen peroxide)

Hydrologic Manipulations – Capably applied, the manipulation of inflow/outflow of water in the system to agitate the water column and disrupt stratification helps to control the growth of cyanobacteria. While the infrastructure necessary to leverage this process can be expensive, once in place it can be an effective component of an algae prevention process. This option requires a sufficient volume of water and the ability to control the flow. While this is a recognized industry solution, there can be undesirable impacts to some life forms in many situations so hydrologic manipulation applications must be completed with care.

The application of these preventative algae management approaches is critical to preserving the viability of the water source and preventing harm to life in and around the water source. Many water quality professionals use a combination of these solutions, like ultrasonic systems and nutrient mitigation (good algae) solutions to prevent or expedite the remediation of algae. As municipalities and governments seek out safe, yet effective algae control methods to prevent and alleviate cyanobacteria algae growth, the above solutions are available today and have proven effective across a wide range of environments.

By leveraging these technologies and processes for preventative algae control, there likely isn’t an algae problem that water management professionals haven’t experienced over the years and haven’t been successful in ultimately treating. After the deployment of one or more of the above systems – sometimes used in combination - observers will see an instant defence against cyanobacteria to keep its growth at bay. For those with an active area of cyanobacteria growth, there will be a rapid decline, with a significant reduction – typically within 30 days.

Cyanobacteria are destructive, harming aquatic ecosystems, people, animals, drinking water supplies, the economy, recreational activities

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, REGIONAL CENTER FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

(RCREEE)

DR JAUAD EL KHARRAZ

The Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) strives to lead renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives and expertise in all Arab states. It promotes the water-energy-food nexus approach and specifically encourages the use of renewable energy for desalination.

As most countries are embarking on an energy transition to achieve net zero emissions, the energy used for desalination stands out as a key outstanding subject for a sustainable future that integrates the water-energy-food nexus. Smart Water Magazine had the opportunity to speak with Dr Jauad El Kharraz, a senior water-energy-climate expert who currently leads the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) as Executive Director. He has served as an advisor and evaluator for several international institutions and was

the Director of Research at the Middle East Desalination Research Center in Oman prior to joining the RCREEE. Dr El Kharraz answered our questions about the integration of renewable energies in desalination processes: the current state of affairs and the outlook for the future.

Can you tell us about the RCREEE’s strategies to promote the energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa, as it relates to the water sector?

The Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) is an intergovernmental organization with diplomatic status that aims to enable and increase the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices across pan-Arab countries. RCREEE is the official technical arm institution of both League of Arab States – Energy Department and the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity (AMCE). RCREEE teams up with governments,

international organizations, IFIs and the private sector via several forms of partnerships to initiate and lead clean energy policy dialogues, strategies, and technologies, managing the facilitation of RE investment platforms and capacity development to increase Arab states’ share of tomorrow’s modern energy solutions. Having today 17 Arab countries among its members, RCREEE strives to lead renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives and expertise in all Arab states based on its strategic plan approved by its Board of Trustees. The RCREEE Secretariat has several multidisciplinary teams across Sustainable Energy and Climate Action sub-sectors with multicultural teams diversified across Arab and International professionals. The RCREEE, via its secretariat, is a financially autonomous organization. The main source of finance is generated via comprehensive portfolios of programmes and partnerships via development agreements with DFIs, third-party contracts, and innovative climate-finance programmes. The RCREEE also holds the fiduciary responsibility and all related legal jurisdiction of the canter’s activities. The RCREEE plays a role in providing its member states technical assistance and guidance to develop their national energy transition strategies and policies as well as its action plan. It also provides monitoring tools to assess their progress and produce the Arab Future Energy Index (AFEX) to follow up on the efforts of its member states vis-à-vis renewable energy, energy efficiency and access to energy projects. On the other hand, The RCREEE is promoting the adoption of the water-energy-food nexus approach and partners with regional players and national stakeholders to boost the dialogue between water, energy and agriculture actors, and concretely it encourages the use of renewable energy for desalination. A study has been carried out in favour of the League of Arab States to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy for desali-

“Economically, renewable desalination is becoming more and more competitive”

"The RCREEE provides its members states technical assistance and guidance to develop their national energy transition strategies"

Z Cristina Novo Perez

nation projects in the Arab region, apart from encouraging solar (PV) pumping in agriculture and the use of renewables for wastewater treatment and reuse.

What are the current trends and advancements in the integration of renewable energies in desalination processes and water management in general?

The integration of renewable energy and desalination has been cost-effective at a small scale for a while. Several small units of solar desalination (e.g., PV-RO) exist in rural/coastal and remote areas in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Oman, UAE, Jordan, etc. where the produced desalinated

water from brackish water desalination is used for drinking and agricultural purposes with a competitive cost in some cases, while in other cases there is room for improvement, for example, to irrigate high-value crops, to make the combination more cost-effective for consumers or farmers. In general, PV-RO is the most popular combination, but we can also find some projects that are wind-RO or CSP-RO (indirectly such as the case of the Ait Chtouka desalination project in the region of Agadir, Morocco, with initially 175.000 m3 per day desalinated water, half for drinking and half for irrigation), or CSP-thermal desalination hybrids. In

addition, we can find stand-alone PV-RO systems with batteries for use at night or when there is no solar radiation, and we can also find systems connected to the grid to keep them operating at night. Indirectly coupled arrangements or PV- and wind- RO are viewed as having higher TRL than directly coupled arrangements. The advantages of PV become decisive for stand-alone configurations and smaller-sized systems (approx. 1000 m3/day). In addition, ground requirements are less than half with better expectations of cost reduction. We can also find a limited use of solar stills which is used for small production of desalinated water.

Can you comment on the main challenges and barriers to the widespread adoption of renewable energy in the desalination sector, and how can they be addressed?

The main challenge of renewable energy desalination is that desalination technologies generally work in steadystate conditions, but renewable energy sources are usually non-stationary. In fact, renewable energy generation needs adjustments for continuous supply (energy storage), and desalination technologies can adapt to variable operations. Some additional challenges are associated with the cost and the environmental impact. As per the cost, for example the cost of desalination from small-size units in Oman (without electricity subsidy = USD 0.65/m3) is 63% more expensive than what farmers are paying in Spain for instance (USD 0.40/m3). One option to reduce the costs of desalination for agriculture is to mix desalinated water with less low-quality groundwater and follow certain irrigation deficit schemes to irrigate high-value crops. As per the environmental impact, we need more and more innovative solutions, but already farmers of the MENA region for example use evaporation ponds or zero liquid discharge techniques to deal with the brine.

In regions heavily dependent on desalination for freshwater supply, how can the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources be managed to ensure continuous and reliable desalination operations? What role do energy storage technologies play in this regard? PV is often combined with RO. As electricity storage is still a challenge, combining power generation and water desalination can also be a cost-effective option for electricity storage when generation exceeds demand. However, we know the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources that we need to manage to ensure continuous and reliable desalination operations (e.g., disruptions can affect for example the RO membranes...), so either we connect the desalination system to the grid to continue the operations or we need to make use of energy storage solutions which need further development to reduce its cost and ensure proper operations. We really

need more innovation and investment in R&D in the area of energy storage to come up with satisfactory solutions, this would boost renewable desalination in the upcoming years. Already, we can see in almost all planned desalination projects in the MENA region (e.g., Egypt: 21 desalination projects in the pipeline) a component of renewable energy which becomes a requirement. This would help in bringing more investments in energy storage technologies that are called to play an important role.

Are there specific technologies – both concerning desalination and energy generation – that are particularly promising for the integration of renewable energies with desalination?

The most mature technologies are solar PV with RO, but at the lab scale, we can find some promising technologies such as membrane distillation, forward osmosis (e.g., Oasys), and microbial desalination at the level of desalination, and we can highlight offshore desalination that is promoted by some Scandinavian companies which take advantage of their oil and gas exploration techniques to apply it in the desalination field, including the use of ocean wave energy to power offshore desalination units. But again, TRL higher than 7 will require more effort in the upcoming years.

Can you provide some examples of projects or initiatives where renewable energy technologies are being used in large-scale desalination plants?

I can give the example of Ait Chtouka (Agadir) desalination plant in Morocco mentioned earlier, with indirect use of the electricity coming from the CSP plant in Ouarzazate, we can also add the Al Khafji Plant in Saudi Arabia producing 60.000 m3 per day of desalination water. In Perth, Australia, a wind farm is powering a production of 120.000 m3 per day of desalinated water.

How do the economic and environmental considerations of desalination using renewable energy compare to conventional desalination methods? Economically, renewable desalination is becoming more and more competitive, and it is about time it became dominant,

"One option to reduce the costs of desalination for agriculture is to mix desalinated water with less low-quality groundwater"

The integration of renewables and desalination has been cost-effective at small scale for a while, PV-RO being the most popular combination

in particular, if we add the commitments of the countries vis-à-vis the Paris Agreement, where we need to encourage more green technologies and decarbonize all sectors to reach net-zero by 2050. This will be a decisive factor in phasing our conventional desalination methods in the future, and also environmentally, the CO2 footprint is lower in the case of renewable energy. The direct carbon footprint of a desalination plant will depend upon the source of energy that drives it, in addition to the efficiency of the plant. As in most industries, desalination plants produce indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as well. As a fraction of the world’s energy consumption and GHG emissions, desalination is small – less than 0.2% of worldwide energy consumption in 2013. With RO, about 1.5–3.6 kg CO2 are produced per m3 of freshwater, depending strongly on

the fuel used to produce the electricity (coal or gas). Therefore, the use of renewable energy will contribute to reducing the CO2 footprint. While, on the other hand, brine needs to be managed in both cases, in particular by exploring resource efficiency and circularity approaches to extract minerals from the brine and make it profitable for the private sector while reducing its impact on the marine and land ecosystems.

Looking ahead, what are your recommendations to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in the desalination sector, and what potential impacts can this have on water security and sustainability?

Renewable desalination requires further intensive research and demonstration units for longer-term performance. Regulations and financial incentives to de-

velop less energy-intensive desalination technologies are also still needed. Solar desalination is a good example of the water-energy-food nexus implementation. Solar desalination is called to contribute significantly to SDG 2 (food security), SDG 6 (water), SDG 7 (energy) and SDG 13 (climate action). The resilience of the desalination industry to climate change is expected to shield many countries from its impacts on water availability. On the other hand, PPPs (e.g., BOT, BOO) and other innovative financial mechanisms to support the sustainability of desalination schemes will likely be required. Countries relying on desalination need to localize knowledge and technology to avoid depending fully on the international markets in particular in times of crisis (e.g., pandemics, wars, international conflicts, etc.). Finally, desalination is a climate change adaptation option in countries where water security can justify investments in desalination technologies. In addition, an effective climate change adaptation approach will require strategies to reduce GHG emissions, consequently encouraging more renewable desalination.

Boosting renewable desalination will definitely contribute to the efforts to reduce the CO2 footprint of desalination technologies, will contribute to water security in countries suffering from water scarcity and also to sustainability if we manage brine in an effective way.

With the new emerging green hydrogen era, we will need more investment in renewable energy and desalination, because the only source of water that could be utilized by the electrolysers to produce green hydrogen is desalination, and it needs to be renewably powered, so we must ensure producing green hydrogen in particular in our region which is suffering from water scarcity. Each kilogram of green hydrogen we will require 9 litres of high-quality water. Fortunately, the contribution of desalinated water in the cost of 1 kilogram of green hydrogen is below USD 0.02.

CEO

& COFOUNDER, ONEKA TECHNOLOGIES

DRAGAN TUTIC

other floating desalination systems? What about in terms of the cost to produce drinking water?

Combining the ocean’s seawater with its own wave energy, the desalination buoy systems by Oneka Technologies can provide competitively priced water to coastal communities and industries without compromising the environment.

Innovation plays a crucial role in developing sustainable and efficient solutions to address water scarcity, harnessing the power of technology and creative thinking. Proof of this is the wave-powered desalination buoys developed by Oneka Technologies, aiming to become the most affordable solution on the market with no GHG emissions. Dragan Tutic, CEO & co-founder of Oneka Technologies, answered our questions on the technology and business model they use, and the company’s plans for further development and deployment of their desalination systems.

Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at Oneka Technologies.

CEO and co-founder of Oneka Technologies, I am an entrepreneur and mechanical engineer from Sherbrooke, Canada.

Since I was young, I have always been involved in business and engineering projects. As I become more and more concerned about climate change and the resulting disasters, I wanted to dedicate my life to addressing it through the power of engineering and entrepreneurship. While I was initially involved in mobility and electric vehicles, an already crowded market, I decided to shift my focus to freshwater access after spending a few years traveling. The need for sustainable and affordable desalinated water is desperately growing, which I believe represents an opportunity with a better chance of success. To achieve this, I’m privileged to have surrounded myself with a savvy multi-disciplinary team, veterans of various industries including desalination and offshore marine, and a network of reputable business and financial partners. By successfully leading several rounds of financing and achieving good technical and commercial results, we are leading the way in making the oceans a sustainable and accessible source of freshwater.

Oneka’s sustainable wave-powered desalination buoy systems offer a host of environmental benefits. How do they compare to land-based plants, and

When we analyse the competition, we are mainly comparing ourselves to conventional and solar desalination companies since wave-powered desalination companies are at a very early stage. As we demonstrated at the Waves to Water Prize and won the Grand Prize, Oneka has a clear lead over its competitors who also harness wave energy. The quality of the water, the production capacity and the ease of assembly and deployment of our systems set us apart.

Furthermore, our wave-powered desalination systems have been designed to operate in synergy with marine and terrestrial environments.

First, our solutions do not emit any GHG emissions. By using Oneka’s offgrid and decentralized solution instead of conventional desalination, about 1 ton of CO2e is saved each year for each m3 of water produced daily. The installed systems are self-sufficient and do not require electricity or other energy sources to provide water to our clients.

Second, compared to conventional desalination plants that can discharge brine that is 100-150% saltier than seawater, Oneka produces brine that is only 30% saltier. Because the intakes and outfalls of the various offshore units are located far away from each other, the brine is also discharged naturally over a wide area, and the action of waves and ocean currents accelerates the mixing. In conventional desalination plants, brine is normally discharged at a specific point along the coast, requiring energy-intensive brine management.

Third, our modular systems that are deployed offshore limit the land footprint, which is a significant barrier for solar desalination projects in areas where coastal land is expensive or protected. Several metres offshore, the Oneka buoy array has little or no visual impact.

“Our goal is to approach the global market with our scaled sustainable desalination solutions at a lower cost”

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

"Our solutions do not emit any GHG emissions; they are self-sufficient and do not require other energy sources to provide water"

Fourth, based on observations, we noted that the seabed anchor could potentially be used in a positive way for the ocean by optimizing the design of it based on the specific needs of the site (diversity of marine life, hard bottom, corals, etc.). Further studies will be conducted to confirm the potential positive impact on marine ecosystems.

Finally, the cost of energy can represent up to 50% of the cost of water. By utilizing the renewable and unlimited energy contained in the ocean waves, Oneka has a great deal of room to grow into the most affordable solution on the market once Oneka scales its systems and begins mass production. Offering water as a service, the cost of water de-

pends on many factors specific to the installation site. Oneka is already able to provide competitively priced water in many parts of the world.

What technologies are used in wave-powered desalination buoy systems?

Our wave-powered desalination system eliminates the energy conversion steps

usually found in conventional desalination systems. Our 100% mechanical technology includes various filtration steps to get clean and drinkable water. The seawater goes through a strainer, pre-filters and reverse osmosis membranes before becoming freshwater. In order to pressurize the seawater, which is necessary in the desalination process, the water is pumped using a hydraulic pump that uses the oscillating motion of the ocean waves as the sole source of energy.

How does your Water-as-a-Service solution work?

Oneka Technologies provides a solution for clients who are looking to obtain a water supply solution with minimal financial risks. Unlike a traditional Equipment Purchase where the client has to take on all the risks of finance, permitting and compliance, insurance, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance, Oneka Technologies finances, designs,

installs, maintains and operates their systems at its own cost. The Oneka team also monitors the system performance and the water quality according to local standards. Under this business model known as “Build-Own-Operate” (BOO), the client simply pays for the water on a volumetric (per cubic metres, gallons) basis.

This model transforms the typical vendor-customer relationship into a partnering relationship where the interests of both the client and Oneka are aligned. As opposed to equipment manufacturers who must make their money upfront, Oneka must design solutions that perform over the life of the contract. Since Oneka’s capital is at risk and is paid only when we deliver water, our plants are designed with durability, reliability and energy efficiency in mind. That means our clients can focus on their core business while having the peace of mind of Oneka’s professional services and devoted team.

Oneka has a demonstration project in Chile and will be opening a subsidiary in this country. Can you comment on what these developments entail for the company?

Oneka’s decision to open a subsidiary in Chile follows the successful demonstration of the technology in the ideal wave conditions of the Pacific Ocean and on Chile’s long coastline, as well as many

potential benefits from scaling up Oneka’s technology in Chile, both for communities suffering from water scarcity and for productive sectors.

Discussions have been advancing thoroughly in recent months with, among others, mining companies, so the incorporation of Oneka in Chile was a necessary step in Oneka’s international growth strategy.

Oneka sees a perfect fit between its sustainable desalination solutions, the Chilean market and the timing for deploying such solutions in the country. The mining industry has a goal of becoming net zero by 2040 and increasing the proportion of desalinated water in its water portfolio from 23% to 68% by 2032.

"Under our 'Build-Own-Operate' (BOO) business model, the client pays for the water on a volumetric (per cubic metres, gallons) basis"

Utilizing the renewable energy in ocean waves, Oneka has a great deal of room to grow into the most affordable solution on the market

The Government of Chile, as mentioned by Mr Diego Pardow, Minister of Energy of Chile, last April during the inauguration of Oneka’s site, supports the deployment of renewable energy projects in the country. He wants to ensure the energy transition to ensure economic growth as well as social and justice prosperity. The country’s growing water scarcity problem is critical and Oneka can play an important role in addressing it.

Could you share the details of the development of the Glacier utility-scale units?

After developing the classes Icecube (1 m3 of water per day) and Iceberg (50 m3 of water per day), Oneka will scale up its

wave-powered desalination solution to utility-scale, creating a Glacier system, a unit that will produce up to 500 m3 of fresh water per day. The scale of it will be to optimize the technology’s cost per volume produced.

Oneka Technologies will work with project partners AF Theriault who is supporting the manufacturing of the hull and structure of the Glaciers; H2O Innovation who is providing the process plant for the desalination portion of the Glacier technology; and a government partner, the City of Barrington, Nova Scotia who will provide a coastal site for buoy installation at Cape Sable Island. This class of buoys will allow us to reach an even broader market: large municipalities and industries, which is

ONEKA TECHNOLOGIES

one step closer to achieving its mission of making the oceans a sustainable and affordable source of freshwater.

Can you tell us about your plans for deployments of wave-powered desalination buoy systems in the coming years?

Oneka Technologies currently has two demonstration sites, one in Florida and one in Chile. We are now entering the acceleration phase of the business which includes the deployment of Iceberg buoys in our initial markets, which are California, Chile and the Caribbean. At the same time, we are developing our utility-scale Glacier systems, which we will then have the opportunity to demonstrate in Nova Scotia with the City of Barrington as well as in Chile in partnership with a mining company that will provide water to coastal communities facing water scarcity. Our goal is to then be able to approach the global market with our scaled solutions that enable sustainable water desalination at a lower cost than other available desalination solutions.

What markets are you initially targeting?

To facilitate the deployment of our first wave-powered desalination units, these initial markets were identified by Oneka because of the following characteristics: communities and industries in the region are facing water scarcity and must adopt desalination solutions, the region’s wave regime is ideal, water and energy costs are high, and going green is a priority. The three regions targeted by Oneka are the Caribbean, Chile and California. We offer water for small communities and industries as well as large municipalities and industries consuming large volumes of water, in addition to emergency relief applications with our Icecube-class units. While we receive inquiries from all over the globe, we find it important to focus on proper execution and expand from there worldwide.

SEVERN TRENT TO BUILD WORLD’S FIRST CARBON NEUTRAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

UK to remove toilet paper from sewage and recycle it into a valuable, sustainable material that can be used for other purposes such as insulation or in construction products.

The site will also house Digital Twin technology, which is a virtual representation of the whole treatment plant – including low carbon technologies. With the help of Atkins, Explore AI, Siemens and Xylem, this virtual world will allow Severn Trent to optimise technologies, see how they interact and automatically apply those learnings to the treatment plant. This will also reduce energy consumption at the site.

Severn Trent has unveiled plans to create the world’s first carbon neutral waste treatment plant in Staffordshire, with work on the multi-million-pound project (almost £40 million) set to start in September.

This ground-breaking project – which is backed by all UK and Irish water companies and international Net Zero Partnership with Aarhus Vand in Denmark and Melbourne Water in Australia – will transform a large, carbon intensive aWastewater Treatment Plant into the world’s first retro-fit carbon neutral site in Strongford.

The new “net-zero hub” is being supported by the Ofwat Innovation Fund, which announced a £10 million cash injection last week. A further £0.9 million has been secured through Horizon Europe and £28 million will be invested by Severn Trent to make this ambition a reality.

For the first time, the most promising technologies will be integrated on one site to reduce and remove carbon – eradicating 34,000 tonnes of carbon per year, which is equivalent to a person flying return between London and New York, 34,500 times. The new hub, which is already home to advanced digestion (THP) and “gas to grid” technology, has the potential to change the face of wastewater management around the world.

Among the new processes on site is a technology from SUEZ called “Actilayer”, a novel cover for sludge plants which reduces levels of nitrous oxide to low levels through the use of catalytic material and the power of sunlight. Other projects include Cellulose Recovery from Dutch company Cirtec, which is a long-held ambition in the

Among those working on sludge optimisation is Eliquo Hydrok with a technology to extract more biogas using a vacuum, Royal HaskoningDHV with a technology called Eyphra to optimise the digestion process and CAMBI, a leader in thermal hydrolysis to help minimise the need for heat through the digestion process. Together these technologies will result in a combination of methane emissions reduction, reduced natural gas consumption and the opportunity to produce additional biogas.

Based at one of Severn Trent’s biggest sites that serves Stoke-on-Trent, the hub will not only put the Midlands on the map for innovative wastewater management but will also support Severn Trent’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and protecting the environment, while creating a “blueprint” for all water companies to help them achieve their net zero commitments.

The most promising technologies will be integrated to reduce and remove carbon – eradicating 34,000 tonnes of carbon per year

CONSOLIDATED WATER AND PERC WATER WIN $204 M CONTRACT TO BUILD A DESALINATION PLANT IN HAWAI

Consolidated Water, a leading developer and operator of advanced water supply and treatment plants, announced its indirect subsidiary, Kalaeloa Desalco LLC (which is jointly owned by the company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries PERC Water Corporation and Consolidated Water U.S. Holdings, Inc.), has signed a definitive agreement (DBOM Agreement) with the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) to design, build, operate and maintain a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant. Consolidated Water has

separately guaranteed the performance of Kalaeloa Desalco to BWS for the term of the DBOM Agreement.

The plant will be located in the Kalaeloa Regional Park District on the Island of O’ahu in Hawaii and situated on the site of the former Barbers Point U.S. Naval Air Station.

Kalaeloa Desalco will develop, permit, pilot, design and construct the facility during the first 44 months of the DBOM Agreement. The plant will be capable of producing potable water

MAGNETIC PARTICLE TREATMENT FOR IRRIGATION WATER GREENER, BETTER, CHEAPER, FASTER

The wells of central California are the main water source for agriculture, but the brackish water contains high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), and elements - like boron - in particular. Boron, while not a health hazard, can have unwanted consequences for tree health and yields. Farmers may want to reduce salinity of their wells, and typically use conventional reverse osmosis and ion exchange, but brine production, fouling of membranes, lack of adequate boron reduction, and high cost continue

to hinder the use of treatment technology for well water meeting suitable quality for agricultural use.

ADS’s magnetic particle treatment adsorption system is the first-of-its-kind non-membrane technology to selectively remove contaminants with minimal energy consumption. The technology utilises synthetic small molecule receptors, coupled to magnetic particles, to bind and remove contaminants of concern from water.

The purification system is a reusable, specific, and relatively inexpensive tech-

from saline source water derived from seawater wells. Kalaeloa Desalco has guaranteed to deliver 1.7 million gallons of potable water per day to BWS’s water system on a 24/7 basis. After commissioning, Kalaeloa Desalco will operate and maintain the plant for the following 20 years and potentially during two five-year optional extensions. The company expects revenue generated over the approximate 24-year base term of the contract to total about $204 million in current dollars.

nique which dramatically reduces toxic brine and eliminates fouling of membranes, whilst reducing electricity demand, thereby reducing the cost and carbon footprint of water purification.

Advantageous systems (ADS) partnered with Isle’s Trial Reservoir to fund a successful pilot trial with Linneman Ranches in California, where the tested system provided greener, better, cheaper and faster results that will positively impact the water treatment and agricultural industry.

Kalaeloa Desalco has guaranteed to deliver 1.7 million gallons of potable water per day to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply

Advantageous systems (ADS) partnered with Isle’s Trial Reservoir to fund their pilot trial with Linneman Ranches in California, U.S.

AMR ABD EL-RHMAN ABDULLAH

DESALINATION: A PROMISING SOLUTION FOR EGYPT'S WATER CRISIS

Egypt is a country with a limited water supply. The country's only major river, the Nile, provides about 97% of Egypt's water. The Nile is a seasonal river, and its flow varies significantly from year to year. As a result, Egypt is vulnerable to water shortages. With a growing population, increasing urbanization, and a booming agriculture sector, the demand for water is constantly on the rise. Egypt is situated in a region that is characterized by low rainfall and high temperatures, making it an arid and semi-arid country. Hence, the need for a reliable source of freshwater is essential for the country's development and sustainability.

Desalination technology has emerged as a promising solution to alleviate Egypt's water crisis. Desalination removes salt from water and can provide a reliable source of freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use. Egypt has been using desalination for many years, with over 60 desalination plants producing around 800,000 cubic metres of freshwater per day. Desalination is a relatively clean technology and does not produce any greenhouse gases.

However, desalination is a major investment, and the cost of the technology has been a significant challenge for many countries. Nonetheless, the cost of desalination is constantly decreasing, and the technology is becoming more efficient. The Egyptian government has announced plans to build additional desalination plants in the coming years to produce 2.4 million cubic metres per day by 2030. Several major desalination projects are already underway in Egypt, including the Ain Sokhna, El Galala, East Port Said, Alamin, and Remella desalination plants. These projects are expected to meet Egypt's growing water needs and ensure that the country has a reliable source of freshwater for the future.

Egypt's water scarcity is further exacerbated by its growing population, which is expected to reach 160 million by 2050.

The Nile River is not enough to meet the country's needs, and as a result, Egypt has to find ways to increase its water supply. Desalination is one of the options that Egypt is considering.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is another major issue for Egypt's water security, as it is built on the Blue Nile, which is a major source of water for Egypt. Egypt sees the dam as a threat to its water security, while Ethiopia sees it as a source of renewable energy and economic development. Negotiations between the three countries (Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia) have been ongoing for several years, but a permanent agreement has not been reached. Egypt is working to improve its water management and diversify its water sources while promoting regional and international cooperation to achieve sustainable water security in the Nile basin.

Desalination is a vital technology for Egypt, but it should be used as part of a comprehensive water management strategy that includes conservation measures and renewable energy sources. Conservation measures can help to reduce water demand, while renewable energy sources can help to reduce the carbon footprint of desalination plants. Such efforts can help to ensure that Egypt's water resources are used in a sustainable and efficient manner.

In conclusion, desalination technology has significant potential to address Egypt's water crisis and provide a reliable source of freshwater for the country's growing population and economic development. The major desalination projects underway in Egypt are expected to contribute significantly to meeting the country's growing water needs, and with the government's plans to build additional plants, it is evident that desalination will play a crucial role in ensuring Egypt's water security in the future. Egypt's ongoing efforts to improve its water management and diversify its water sources, along with regional and international cooperation, can help to achieve sustainable water security in the Nile basin.

Desalination is vital for Egypt, as part of a comprehensive water management strategy that includes conservation and renewables

DIGITAL

EFFICIENCY AT EVERY LEVEL: DIGITAL TWINS FOR DESALINATION

All over the world, people and businesses increasingly rely on desalination to meet their water needs. To keep up with this steadily growing demand, desalination plants need to be built faster and operate more efficiently.

Standardisation, automation, and digitalisation provide a whole range of solutions to increase the speed of engineering and designing such plants, as well as exploiting their full potential. Through the use of these tools, desalination plants can create value from data to streamline operations and maximise the efficiency of not just individual processes, but the entire plant. With climate-based changes in full swing and amid ongoing shifts in population density and distribution, access to safe, clean drinking water is no longer only a question for arid and remote areas. Water scarcity is affecting an increasing number of regions, people, and business-

es. In this context, desalination is a vital technology to meet water demand, reduce the pressure on natural freshwater resources caused by urbanisation and growing populations, and boost water supplies by increasing water quality. As a result, the number of desalination plants in operation continues to grow. An estimate from 2018 placed the global number of operational desalination plants at 16,000, and since then, substantial capacity has been added through both expansion of existing desalination plants and the construction of new ones. Moreover, countless small desalination plants exist for industrial purposes or to satisfy local demand. Such micro desalination plants operate not only in the municipal water production industry but also in many other industries such as textiles, leather, and food. As proof of the changing patterns of water scarcity, desalination plants are being built not just in the Middle East and western Asia, but around the globe. California currently has more than 10 desalination facilities in operation, and desalination is also becoming

a significant contributor to the water supply in South America and Asia.

Although the market is growing steadily, it is at the same time subject to enormous cost pressures. Not only numerous plants are currently under construction, but the plants themselves have become larger, with at least a dozen mega plants, each producing more than 500,000 cubic metres of water per day, already operating or planned. Scaling up helps desalination plants produce water more cost-efficiently over time, but the construction of mega plants requires a substantial initial investment. To achieve optimal plant performance and return on investment,

Z Dr Cosima Sichel, Business Development Manager at Siemens AG Z Paul Conroy, Business Development Manager at Siemens AG

Desalination is a technology vital to meet water demand, reduce the pressure on natural freshwater resources and boost water supplies

the industry needs to streamline the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of desalination plants. Greenfield projects need to be executed as smoothly as possible, challenging the industry to find new ways of engineering and commissioning plants. Plants in operation need to keep costs under control and perform at maximum efficiency to minimise their energy and environmental footprint. To achieve all of this, the industry needs to draw on a resource that is often undervalued and unexploited; plant and process data can help optimise processes on every level, from automation to performance to operation.

Utilising a digital automation twin

Using a data-based simulation of a plant’s automation and control systems, OEMs, EPC contractors, and plant operators can create a digital twin of the automated processes to streamline the entire plant’s design, commissioning, and operator training. For example, simulation during the engineering phase enables troubleshooting through early testing. Simulation tools such as Simit software from Siemens provide a real-time simulation environment for comprehensive and convenient checks of the automation program, without the need to test it on a physical system.

Moreover, the digital automation twin also enables virtual commissioning of the plant, reducing on-site work, and expenses, drastically. In some cases, it is even possible to commission a plant remotely, not only significantly reducing

To achieve optimal performance, the industry needs to streamline the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of desalination plants

travel expenses but also helping OEMs and EPC contractors optimally allocate to each project their available resources of expert knowledge. The digital twin of automation can also be used for simulation-based operator training. This way, operators can not only get familiar with a new plant even before the physical equipment is installed, but also use a safe training environment to test, adapt, and optimise work routines as well as prepare for critical situations. As a result, the digital twin of automation contributes to significantly reduce project lead times, and its modelling and simulation also help reduce unplanned costs during construction as well as operation.

Paving the way for a digital operation twin

Modelling and data-based decision making can also help improve plant performance and operations. For this purpose, Siemens offers two complementary solutions that prove beneficial for both desalination plant operators and constructors. The first is a digital twin of the plant management system, which allows a plant to operate at a higher level even with modest investment efforts. Such a twin also helps increase the transparency of plant operations for easier plant and process management. It enables operators

to model and monitor plant performance based on accurate data and to calculate KPIs to support decision-making and improve plant operations. In short, data transparency can help operators make optimal use of available resources and capacity. In a recent project, for example, a plant management system jointly developed by Acciona and Siemens helped fine-tune processes, enabling an existing desalination plant to produce above its nominal capacity and thus avoiding the need for additional investment. In this way, the benefits of digitalisation can be utilised along the entire plant and process life cycle, from design and engineering to commissioning to operation.

Simulation tools: a digital performance

twin

Complementing the digital twin of automation, Siemens is offering model-based optimisation software that captures fundamental knowledge about a process – its physics, chemistry, control philosophy, operating policy, feedstock and energy costs, and product prices –in the form of mathematical models and their associated data. A system of such models can then be used in conjunction with state-of-the-art mathematical techniques to analyse and optimise process design or operation, improve plant ef-

ficiency, reduce energy consumption, and even optimally schedule cleaning processes. In desalination plants, such models can be used to optimise multiple operational KPIs and parameters, for example, the consumption of energy and chemicals in relation to water output, production costs, and resource efficiency. Moreover, modelling can help identify optimal operation and cleaning parameters to maximise water output while preventing module failures.

The gPROMS process modelling environment from Siemens, for example, makes it possible to optimise plant performance to minimise consumption of electrical power or chemicals, or to minimise fluctuations in water quality. The modelling environment encompasses the entire physical and chemical process in rigorous, equation-based mathematical (white-box) models, which are trans-

The digital twin contributes to significantly reduce project lead times, and its modelling and simulation also help reduce unplanned costs

parent to the user and can be adapted and modified for different plant sizes or processes. The software lets users create a robust, reliable digital twin that supports a dynamic modelling of the process.

Moreover, white-box models do not rely on large amounts of training data for their optimisation, as do AI-based models. Consequently, they can be set up without access to large databases of either historical or generated process data. Such data are needed only to tailor the model to the specific plant or process, and to validate the model’s performance in representing the physical plant. The gPROMS environment can be used both online, with a connection to the plant process control system, and offline. When used online, the digital performance twin can run parallel to plant operation and use current control system data to make recommendations for operators, for ex-

ample, on the best strategy to improve a given KPI (such as minimising energy consumption). Thus, the model supports informed decision-making and helps operators improve the overall operational effectiveness of desalination plants.

Closing the data gap through expertise and technology

So why are many desalination plants still not making use of their plant and process data? As in many industries, one culprit is the lack of data integration. To overcome the challenges posed by isolated databases and systems, the industry needs to make use of state-of-the-art technologies for data exchange and networking, and it needs to deploy secure, industry-grade solutions. Choosing suitable partners and technologies is essential to reap the full benefits of digitalisation and automation, and to be able to

create a digital twin for each of the user’s respective needs and purposes.

With its broad portfolio and solid industry expertise, Siemens can address critical aspects of Industry 4.0, such as integrated engineering and integrated operations, cloud connectivity with the open Internet of Things operating system MindSphere, and dedicated applications for data analysis and processing in the cloud. Moreover, Siemens can draw upon its solutions for process monitoring and control that are tailored to the water industry and have proven their worth in numerous desalination plants. Examples include plants in Saudi Arabia, such as the Al-Khobar 1 and Al Khafji seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants (the latter solar powered), not to mention eight SWRO desalination plants spreading over a distance of 1,800 kilometres along the Red Sea coast of the Kingdom.

Finally, Siemens can also provide a diverse set of financing solutions for investments in future-proof technologies in key areas such as automation, digitalisation, and sustainability. One project to benefit from Siemens as a financial service partner is the Taweelah desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates, which will supply 910,000 cubic metres per day of water, meeting the water needs of 350,000 households. It is currently the world’s largest RO plant.

As these examples show, Siemens provides all the tools desalination plants require to enter the digital age with minimal risk – and finally exploit the treasure trove of plant and process data to increase

Siemens provides a set of financing solutions for investments in future-proof technologies in automation, digitalisation, and sustainability

GLOBAL GROWTH OFFICER - WATER FOR ENVIROSUITE

SADASIVAM (SADA) KRISHNAN

Envirosuite, a pioneer of the Environmental Intelligence industry and a leading provider of AI and digital twin solutions, is a trusted partner to transform the water industry with the power of digital technologies.

Z Cristina Novo

Having grown up in the water-stressed city of Chennai, India, influenced Sadasivam (Sada) Krishnan to pursue a career in water that has now spanned 28 years. He joined Envirosuite earlier this year to lead the Water Business growth globally with the EVS Water Product line and with a focus on digital twins and machine learning/AI technologies. Based in Dubai, his role involves maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and providing input to the company’s product roadmap and strategic marketing efforts globally. SWM spoke with him about achieving the full potential of digital deployments, business partnerships and the application of digital solutions for desalination processes.

Digital solutions are one of the fastest-growing areas in the water industry. Can you comment on the role of

business partnerships in this area, and what is Envirosuite’s strategy in this regard?

Having the right business partnerships is a crucial part of Envirosuite’s growth strategy. We recognise the importance of partnerships in driving innovation and growth in the water industry. By collaborating with other organisations, we can leverage each other’s strengths and expertise to implement innovative digital solutions that address the growing number of challenges our customers face. In many cases, these partnerships also provide new digital businesses or revenue streams for our partners and customers.

Our partnerships include collaborations with consultants, OEMs, EPCs, IoT (Internet of Things) manufacturers and integrators, chemical manufacturers, plant operators, and other software companies. We are continuously combining our expertise to develop and deliver innovative digital solutions that better meet the needs of our customers.

Technology is evolving very quickly. How do you leverage the power of AI and digital twin technologies to move beyond compliance and deliver gains in operational efficiency and environmental outcomes?

Our EVS Water portfolio includes our Plant Designer, Plant Optimiser and SeweX platforms. Each platform uses advanced algorithms and predictive analytics to provide real-time insights into water asset operations, water quality management and usage.

Plant Designer helps those in the design stage to skip the manual, repetitive and linear methods of water simulation. It allows users to create a digital twin of their water and wastewater treatment plant, enabling them to simulate and optimise its performance. This can help identify potential issues before they occur while enabling proactive maintenance and management.

Plant Optimiser takes this a step further for operational purposes. The digital twin platform uses artificial intelligence to analyse real-time data from water and wastewater treatment plants while providing actionable insights for operators to improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Our SeweX platform helps sewer operators manage odours, corrosion and safety in sewer networks proactively and efficiently. The platform uses deterministic modelling to identify sewer corrosion issues before costly and disruptive incidents occur. Alternative operating and control scenarios can then be simulated to identify the best approach for short-term response and long-term asset management.

By leveraging these advanced technologies, Envirosuite provides customers with powerful digital tools that help

“We’re proud to bring game changing technology to the desalination industry”

"We are continuously combining our expertise to develop and deliver innovative digital solutions that better meet the needs of customers"

them move beyond compliance and achieve greater operational efficiency and improved environmental outcomes.

Could you discuss the importance of mapping priorities and evaluating progress to realise the full potential of digital deployments?

By clearly defining the goals and objectives of a digital deployment, businesses can ensure that their efforts are focused on areas that will deliver the greatest value. This can help maximise their return on investment and ensure that resources are allocated effectively.

Evaluating progress is also crucial in ensuring that digital deployments are delivering the desired outcomes. By regularly assessing the performance of digital solutions, businesses can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions about how to optimise their operations. This can help to ensure that digital deployments are delivering the maximum value and contributing to the overall success of the business.

At Envirosuite, we understand the importance of mapping priorities and evaluating progress in realising the full potential of digital deployments. Our solutions are designed to provide real-time insights and analytics that enable businesses to make informed decisions about their digital strategies. By working closely with our customers, we help them define their priorities and measure their progress towards achieving their goals.

You recently participated in the MENA Desalination Projects Forum in Abu Dhabi. Can you share your takeaways concerning the application of digital solutions for desalination processes?

We had a great time at the MENA Desalination Projects Forum in Abu Dhabi! There was excellent customer rep-

resentation from all MENA countries. Our booth was buzzing with traffic throughout the conference. We noticed a lot of excitement around the potential of our digital twin and AI technologies.

I also participated in a panel discussion on the topic of digital water with a focus on desalination where we had insightful discussions and excellent audience interaction during the Q&A.

MENA is the largest desalination market in the world. Any innovative technology in this space that can increase plant

performance efficiency, while improving water quality risk management is received with great interest. We’re proud to bring game-changing technology to the desalination industry!

We’re also incredibly excited to announce that we have signed a major multi-license agreement with NEOM for our Plant Designer and Plant Optimiser products. NEOM’s primary focus is on sustainability and cutting-edge innovative digital technologies. Therefore, a partnership with Envirosuite – the world’s leading environmental intelligence provider - is the perfect match. Our products will help NEOM achieve water infrastructure and environmental objectives while optimising its water operations using innovative software solutions. Furthermore, we continue to have a growing pipeline in the Middle East with many active proposals under evaluation. Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting developments to come!

"By defining the goals and objectives of a digital deployment, efforts can focus on areas that will deliver the greatest value"

We are excited to announce that we have signed a multi-license agreement with NEOM for our Plant Designer and Plant Optimiser products

DANIEL MARTENS & SHEILLA DE CARVALHO

CLIMATE RISK INTELLIGENCE LEAD AT ROYAL HASKONINGDHV MANAGING DIRECTOR AT HYDROINFORMATICS INSTITUTE

DIGITAL ENABLERS FOR ENHANCED CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Organisations today are faced with an unprecedented number of risks that impact their operations and business continuity. Climate change is one of these factors which has in recent times received an increasing amount of attention. Few organisations however are embedding climate resilience into their strategies and plans.

Whilst the adoption of sustainability strategies and decarbonisation solutions to mitigate negative contributions to the environment and consequently the climate has become more commonplace, far less is seen in terms of the adoption of measures that will safeguard people and operations from climate-related impacts.

To overcome this gap, frameworks and guidelines on the incorporation of climate risks into organisations’ strategies, plans and financial disclosures are slowly being adopted and even mandated through policy and industry standards. In this article, we hope to illustrate why many organisations are struggling to address climate risks effectively and how they can start doing so by embracing key enablers of digital innovations today.

What is keeping organisations from addressing climate risks?

There are various factors contributing to organisations not incorporating climate risks into their risk management portfolio, ranging from their geographic location and thus vulnerability to various climate-related impacts, to limited financial means, however, the most stated arguments are two-fold.

Firstly, many organisations simply do not know where to start their climate resilience journey due to the complexity and multiplicity of the topic, a lack of understanding of climate change, and the perception that they do not have the means to obtain the required insights.

Secondly, climate risks have either not been on the agenda of most boardroom meetings or the focus has largely been on traditional disaster risk management. Yet this is a reactive approach, after an event has already caused physical damage to infrastructure and assets, disrupted operations and in some cases even claimed lives.

This is concerning given that our world is ever more interconnected, as became apparent in 2022 when heatwaves across Europe and China resulted in drought and low water levels, disrupting supply chains globally due to unnavigable waterways and food shortages (economic losses were estimated to be USD 22 bn in Europe and USD 7.6 bn in China). And it may only get worse as the first part of this year has seen the highest temperatures ever recorded in many countries and climate scientists are predicting that 2023 could be the hottest year on record with climate change attributed as a major factor.

In a world where technological advances and data sources are abundant, the aforementioned arguments thus indicate a lack of prioritisation rather than an inability to address climate risks. It is thus paramount for organisations to start incorporating strategic climate resilience into their boardroom agendas (Schiferli, Climate Change Risk & Resilience).

Digital enablers for enhanced climate resilience

Data, computing power and advanced analytics are key digital enablers that allow organisations of all forms and sizes to better prepare themselves against the potential impacts of climate change.

In today’s world, we generate a tremendous amount of data through advanced surveillance and monitoring technologies, personal devices and smart wearables. It is estimated that by 2025 there will be 175 billion terabytes of data in the global datasphere. So how can we leverage all this data to increase our understanding of climate-related events?

Satellite systems today already allow us to capture near real-time imagery at centimetre resolution, enabling us to better understand weather patterns and land use changes, detect crop health and map the onset and extent of extreme weather events such as floods. Given the extensive amount of satellite constellations, nearly every corner of our planet is regularly observed, charted and digitised. The resulting geographic information

In a world where technological advances and data are abundant, it is paramount to incorporate climate resilience into boardroom agendas

datasets are the foundation of nearly all numerical modelling systems to simulate the weather, traffic and supply chains.

If we add to this the real-time monitoring systems such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and smart devices, we are in turn able to calibrate and validate the predictive simulations we develop and improve the accuracy of risk assessments. Collecting and processing the data as well as carrying out the numerical simulations can demand considerable storage space and computing power. Generally, this relationship between computing power and performance is linear, and until recently the former has been available only in limited capacity or to those who could afford it.

That is no longer the case in today’s world, where our personal laptops and even tablets allow us to render high-resolution graphics at ease and process large amounts of data within an instant. The onset of parallel computing through the use of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) overcomes the painstakingly long simulations scientists and engineers used to carry out on single-core machines. When even a single GPU today can carry out city-scale flood simulations at high-resolution, the possibilities of using massive parallel computing with GPUs seem endless.

For those unable to afford the CapEx investment in on-premise computing power, cloud and edge computing provides a cost-effective alternative, removing the burden of computing power from the user and placing it with the technology provider. As such, computing has come a long way and as we keep pushing the boundaries of what computers can do and inventing new types of calculating machines, we progressively increase our ability to process vast amounts of data and more so, derive better insights from such.

The last key digital enabler for enhanced climate resilience is advanced analytics, and more specifically machine and deep learning which continue to rapidly transform our ability to

overcome complexities and inefficiencies in all aspects of science, technology and engineering. A most recent example is the use of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT that allow for state-of-the-art performances in amongst others arithmetics and symbolic reasoning.

Integrating key enablers for success

In applying artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) through open-source programming languages such as Python, combined with aforementioned relatively affordable cloud computing technologies or even the most basic laptop, nearly anyone is now able to transform large amounts of data into valuable risk insights. Examples can be found in the use of government-managed CCTV cameras for the detection and prediction of rainfall intensity as well as surface level flooding through computer vision technology, such as done by Hydroinformatics Institute (H2i) in Singapore, and the use of AI and NLP to monitor floods and wildfires by analysing public media data, for which FloodTags is paving the way.

Such applications are proof that integration of the key enabling technologies allows us to transcend traditional static scenario analyses to real-time operational monitoring and forecasting systems, and eventually Digital Twins of their operations.

Pathways to strategic climate resilience

Technology alone will not resolve all our concerns, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to address all the risks decision-makers are faced with today. Adopting strategic climate resilience into the boardroom agenda should be the first critical step for leaders and business owners to remove the increasing burden that climate risks pose on their organisations. Only a clear climate resilience strategy will allow organisations to truly reap the benefits of today’s key digital enablers.

Key enabling technologies allow us to transcend static scenario analyses to realtime operational monitoring and forecasting systems

ANALYSIS AND DETAILED REAL-TIME DIAGNOSIS: THE RAISON D’ÊTRE OF THE NEW JABEGA SYSTEM

The years when water networks went unnoticed are behind us. The incipient lack of water resources and the obsolescence of water transport and distribution pipes force administrations to take greater control and responsibility over the efficiency of this infrastructure to ensure an optimistic hydrological future.

Throughout the last decade, there have been great advances in technologies that seek solutions to the challenges faced by companies managing the integral water cycle. Desalination, renewal of pipes, pre-locators and in-line leak detection systems are some of the techniques that have been used to adapt infrastructures to new scenarios of consumption or scarcity.

However, after the changes that have taken place in the sector, there is a growing interest in digitalisation and preventive network management. It is difficult, in the middle of 2023, to find water management companies that do not have their networks centralized and managed

in real-time through software and synchronization technologies. At this point, the sector finds that around 20% of the water that is channelled is still being lost.

If technology is on our side, why do we keep losing 20% of the water?

It is in large-diameter networks where the sector has fewer control options and, ironically, where the losses and impact of an incident or breakage can be greater, given the flows and pressures at which they work. Unfortunately, the evaluation of the state of conservation and location of leaks in these pipes is further complicated by the great depth at which they run, the greater distance between singular elements and the impossibility of interrupting the service to thousands of consumers due to mere routine inspections. To solve this problem, Aganova developed and patented the Nautilus System in 2015, a sensor-equipped sphere that runs inside large water networks, allowing the identification of acoustic data and signals that reveal the presence of leaks,

air pockets and anomalies, as well as their level of incidence on the network, without the need to interrupt the service.

The Nautilus System can travel up to 35 kilometres in a single insertion, providing information on the presence of air pockets, anomalies and leaks starting at just 0.005 litres per second. The System was a great leap forward in the diagnosis and maintenance of large-diameter networks, saving millions of cubic metres for the environment and water managers around the world.

A further step to improve the data obtained from inside the water networks would consist in transforming this data into valuable information for decision-making by infrastructure managers, not only in terms of leak detection, but also to identify anomalies or incidents in the network. For this reason, in 2022 and with the development of the Nemo Platform, Aganova brought the digitization of all the data obtained in field operations and leak detection projects closer to the client, as well as all data related to the presence of air pockets, anomalies and leaks.

As an expert in the development of inspection technologies and data interpretation, Aganova accepted the challenge posed by the market: the identification and classification of anomalies.

The Jabega System offers full recognition of anomalies

Jabega is an innovative solution developed to obtain exhaustive information on conflict spots in water transport networks. The innovative network diagnostic tool stands out for the range of data Jabega overhead camera.

that the system is capable to obtain from each run. Some of the most outstanding include the live visualization of anomalies such as corrosion, the presence of sediments, damaged or semi-open valves whose condition was unknown, identification of not regulated intakes, deteriorated joint sleeves or the visualization and acoustic analysis of leaks, among others. Through this new technology, we investigate beyond what happens, to discover why it happens on the network.

Versatility and analytical immediacy

The technical characteristics of the Jabega System place it at the forefront of innovation in the analysis and diagnosis of water networks. In addition to featuring a powerful CCTV system capable of recording and capturing high-quality images in real-time, the recording and acoustic system navigates the network aided by a sail, which helps optimal navigation through the pipeline under load. The technology is designed to be guided from the outside through a fibre optic

cable. In addition to obtaining real-time information, the cable enables drawing out a precise layout of the network.

The Jabega System has been designed with the aim of offering the market the versatility and immediacy sought by clients when it comes to identifying points of conflict. Putting the system to work requires only having one insertion point, normally through a gate valve with a diameter equal to or greater than DN100, and navigation paths between DN400 and DN1600. Once the CCTV system is inside the pipe, the technology is ready to carry out an in-depth analysis of the state of the elements that make up the network, as well as of the pipe walls. Since it is possible to carry out a diagnosis while operating, the client has the

possibility of undertaking corrective actions or prioritizing areas of the network from the moment of inspection.

The live broadcast of the interior of the pipe allows obtaining information as valuable as detailed knowledge of the levels of corrosion present and points with a particularly serious incidence. With the help of the CCTV system, it has also been possible to see different types of leaks, such as longitudinal or circumferential cracks. Having a precise knowledge of the different types of incidents allows improving water network management work and processes, through maintenance optimization, planning and execu-

Where Nautilus are the ears, Jabega are the eyes inside the pipe

“At Lydec (Morocco), we look for signs of deterioration in our network, and the Jabega System is a reliable and affordable solution”

tion of corrections to ensure the proper functioning of the pipeline. In other words, efficient management would take into account the different leak correction methods based on their specific characteristics and positioning. For example, a joint leak cannot be treated in the same way as a circumferential or longitudinal leak along a section. Hence, knowledge of the characteristics of each incident

allows for the application of optimized solutions in terms of both time and resources, while minimizing water losses to the extent that reaction and correction time are reduced, since digging to reveal technical details is no longer necessary.

On the other hand, since the system is followed and monitored from the outside while it navigates within, there is also the possibility of carrying out a car-

tographic study of the section inspected; this is undoubtedly a breakthrough in the water sector.

Advanced development of elements that allow conducting operations under pressure

The Jabega System consists of a series of elements specially designed to offer an optimal service for viewing the inside of the pipeline without the need to interrupt the service. Although the visibility of the inside of the pipe is the key deliverable offered to the client, it is the result of hard engineering work that enables obtaining a high-quality product that yields an advanced diagnosis of highspeed networks. The system coordinates the audiovisual capacity of a camera equipped with a body capable of working under high pressure which, aided by a sail, can navigate in optimal conditions in networks with a minimum pressure of 2 bars and a maximum of 16 bars.

Initial success stories with the Jabega System

Jabega is an innovative solution developed to obtain exhaustive information on conflict spots in water transport networks

Butterfly valve with a high degree of corrosion. Photograph obtained by the Jábega System.

The technology was launched to the market at the beginning of the year and soon boasted of having achieved great success throughout the world. Among them, the project executed during the past month of February stands out, involving five inspections conducted in Morocco that yielded high-quality images of the interior of the water network. Corrosion and deterioration in the joints were some of

the main conflicting elements detected in the network. This visualization not only made it possible to identify anomalies present in the network, but also allowed determining their extent, thus providing more exhaustive knowledge of the state and maturity of the pipes. The system could also be monitored from the outside, offering real-time pinpointing and network mapping. “At Lydec, we don’t

As an expert in inspection technologies, Aganova accepted the market’s challenge: the identification and classification of anomalies

just look for leaks, we look for signs of deterioration in our network to conduct an internal diagnosis, and the Jabega System is a reliable and affordable solution to our need”, said Abdel-Illah Rettab, Director of operations, Leak Detection at Lydec (Casablanca, Morocco).

Jabega technology means a turning point in the management of water transport networks, which now sees the doors open to efficient management based on network maintenance as a key to preventing leaks and sustainable aging of networks. Easy access and exhaustive analysis, immediacy, precision and versatility, a dream for water management firms that the Jabega System makes come true.

Circumferential crack. Frame obtained through the Jabega System.

Open Jabega overhead.

AGANOVA

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT IDRICA

JORGE HELMBRECHT

A leading company specialising in water cycle management, Idrica unlocks the value of technology to accelerate the digital transformation of water utilities.

Jorge Helmbrecht, Business Development Director at Idrica, analyses the current state of affairs in the water sector, banking on digital sustainability as an essential element of a complete digital transformation.

What are the main water management challenges?

I would say that there are four major challenges in the sector: mitigating water scarcity, which has been exacerbated by the effects of climate change, and improving water availability in a sustainable way; access to sanitation for all; guaranteeing the quality and good status of water bodies; and always considering the water-energy nexus.

Those challenges have three common denominators: infrastructure, management and technology. The existence, maintenance and efficient operation of infrastructure requires continuous financing and long-term public policy guidelines, not only in times of drought or floods. The correct integrated man-

agement of uses and resources is another of the basic pillars to be reinforced, with the improvement of control and monitoring tools in all areas: from hydrometeorology, control of discharges and the status of water bodies at the basin level, to information on the different uses at the municipal level.

Finally, the application of new technologies plays a fundamental role in overcoming the challenges of the water sector and achieving efficient and sustainable management.

What role does technology play in these challenges?

We can highlight several technologies of relevance to the water cycle. Following a “hydrological” path, I would start with the technologies used to manage and monitor water resources. Spain was already a pioneer in the 1980s with the implementation of an automated hydrological information system (SAIH) and since then it has continued to innovate, concerning sensors, SCADA and communications infrastructure, as well as the use of specialized software for hydrometeorological forecasting, up to the present day with the latest generation of early warning and decision support systems, such as the one Idrica provides through the Xylem Vue Powered by GoAigua platform.

At the regional or municipal level, and in relation to uses such as urban

or industrial consumption, we should mention the technologies that exist for treatment plants, both for drinking water and for wastewater treatment. There are examples of continuous innovation in recent years, including ultrafiltration, desalination, reverse osmosis, new advances in biological treatment, nanotechnology, etc. In terms of applications, we may highlight the optimisation of processes in plants (both drinking water treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants) with the help of advanced algorithms and the use of AI, as in the case of the Unified Plant Management modules in the Xylem Vue Powered by GoAigua platform.

In drinking water and sewer networks, I would emphasise technology aimed at finding leaks, such as the use of tracer gas, analyses using satellite images or the wellknown “smart balls” that travel through the pipes for acoustic leak detection, among others. Also worth mentioning are the implementation of smart meters and new communication protocols, such as the inclusion of 5G-NR technology in real-time remote reading, an area where Idrica is also a leading company. In terms of sewer networks, I could mention the growing use of sensors and computer applications with mathematical modelling, systems to optimise sewer cleaning to avoid overflows due to blockages, and monitoring the presence of viruses and other substances in the sewer network to optimise management.

Finally, I would say that, in all these areas, through the Xylem Vue platform

“At Idrica, we are committed to long-term digital sustainability”

"The digital transformation is not only about technologies, but also about processes and people, which are essential for success"

powered by GoAigua, Idrica offers game-changing solutions to accelerate the digital transformation of the sector.

What is digital transformation and how is it done?

The digital transformation involves the integration of digital technologies and allows us to improve operational processes in the water cycle, using innovative technologies such as AI, IoT, advanced analytics, etc. Part of this process positively affects the organisation itself, making it more efficient and focused on improving user experience and satisfaction.

On the path of digital transformation, the first step would be to obtain data, and for this, I would start with instrumentation, communication and storage of the recorded information.

The second step, and I believe one of the most important links in the digital value chain that is not working in many water utilities, is the integration of data from multiple sources (sensors, ERP, CMMS, GIS, etc.) and its unification or

standardisation into a single format that would then avoid duplication of information and lack of interoperability between the IT systems that require such data.

Once the information has been integrated and standardised in a data lake with a single data model, it is possible to advance to the next step, the third one, where Big Data, advanced analytics or Machine Learning techniques are used to extract value from the data and transform it into useful information to make decisions and take actions that allow us to be more efficient in the use of resources, such as leak detection, predictive maintenance or intelligent operation.

Phase four, monitoring, control and visualisation of the information, has traditionally been performed from the data measured and stored in a SCADA (skipping steps two and three), but the existence of other data sources such as an ERP or GIS makes it more convenient to face this stage after all the existing information has been integrated and after applying advanced algorithms that most modern systems allow.

Finally, the use of mathematical simulation models, their correct calibration and their connection in real-time to the boundary conditions allow us to reach the last stage, known as Digital Twin, which allows continuous simulation and analysis of what-if scenarios to optimise operations.

To conclude, we see that the path of the digital transformation of the water

cycle must be based on a data-centric architecture that allows the interoperability of existing systems. In any case, we must never forget that the digital transformation is not only about technologies, but also about processes and people, which are essential for success.

What is digital sustainability and how do we achieve it?

The traditional concept of digital sustainability is based on using digital tools to be more sustainable environmental-

"One of the most important links in the digital value chain is the integration and unification of data from multiple sources"

A digital approach must help us be efficient, solving specific problems, but also with a long-term vision to achieve digital sustainability

ly, socially and economically. However, there is a newer concept, based on the sustainability of the system used by any company in the process of digitalisation over time, avoiding the obsolescence of existing systems, which is why we say that at Idrica we are committed to longterm digital sustainability.

We must be aware that technology is in constant change. Such is the innovation and the pace of change, that we have to somehow keep in mind that any system we implement to help us transform our

company and go digital by integrating data, must be sustainable over time and endure, even if we have to update the instrumentation, change sensor suppliers, update the SCADA or install a new ERP.

For this to happen and for our digital strategy to be sustainable over time, it is necessary to build a data-based architecture, where it is possible to integrate and unify information in an agnostic way regardless of its origin, even if it changes. It is precisely the second step I mentioned earlier on the path to transformation

where the key to digital sustainability lies. In our Xylem Vue platform powered by GoAigua we call this system the “Smart Water Engine”, which is the agnostic engine that integrates and standardises information and facilitates interoperability between existing systems, avoiding the well-known “spaghetti architecture” that is fostered by the information silos that exist in many water companies. The system is modular, so that we can aggregate or extract data from different solutions by adding modules independently.

Another concept to take into account is scalability, understood as the adaptability of resources to the growth of the company itself or of the areas it manages, whether in terms of infrastructure, hardware or data.

In short, the key to long-term digital sustainability is to have a system that is agnostic, modular, scalable and with an architecture focused on a single data model, which facilitates the interoperability of systems, breaking down the current information silos and thus increasing the efficiency and optimisation of operational processes.

What is Idrica’s role in this digital transformation?

Our experience is undoubtedly an advantage, as we are a company born from the digital transformation experience of more than 15 years of a pioneering water utility in this area, Global Omnium.

During this long process, we learned that a digital approach must help us to be more efficient, solving specific problems of our processes, but also having a long-term vision that allows us to achieve digital sustainability.

At Idrica, we help other companies in the water sector to successfully navigate this transformation path. There is no doubt, moreover, that the agreement reached with Xylem allows us to play an even more relevant role in this digital transformation process through a much more solid offering, represented by Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua.

KLIR UNVEILS CHATGPT INTEGRATION FOR ITS WATER MANAGEMENT PLATFORM

prehensive software for water quality and compliance management on the market,” said David Lynch, CEO of Klir. “To be able to ask complex compliance water management questions and immediately receive accurate answers is seismic and will help organizations around the world to slow the global water crisis.”

Klir, the integrated water platform that helps the world’s water utilities make water safer, announced the launch of its new generative AI capabilities now available through the latest iteration of its platform, Klir Comply. Using Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI service to provide access to powerful language models – including ChatGPT4 – Klir is the first-ever water management software powered by ChatGPT.

Water professionals can now receive holistic insights into their utility’s data through an AI-powered chatbot while benefiting from the scalability, reliability, performance, and security of Microsoft Azure.

By blending the conversational benefits of ChatGPT with each utility’s water quality management and compliance data (E.g., “Is our water compliant to-

day?” or “Draft me a summary of last week’s water quality”), the AI function simplifies tedious but critical tasks while ensuring internal data stays secure and private at all times.

A nod to Klir’s Irish-founded roots, the chatbot is fittingly represented by “Boots,” an Irish Water Spaniel “trained to sniff out key data.” Notably, the chatbot allows users to query millions of data points within the utility’s private internal data with precise control over the knowledge base. Features include integrating administrative tasks with sampling results data, providing predictive water quality analysis, generating quantitative insights into sampling results, and identifying correlations between data.

“Klir’s AI function sits as a layer on top of what is already the most com -

With most water professionals working with outdated or siloed technologies, Klir’s new generative AI capabilities reflect the growing need for water managers to quickly adapt to an industry landscape shaped by climate change and population growth. Despite the recent influx of climate mitigation budgets, the water sector has struggled to combat this escalating challenge due to restrictions by public sector procurements and the overwhelming availability of bespoke technology vendors that do not easily integrate.

“Klir’s purpose-built platform is filling an industry gap and solving the growing problem of data quality and integrity that has made it so difficult for water professionals to pull impactful performance insights,” said Dr Tom Stafford, Chief Product Officer of Klir. “This next major release of our integrated platform provides support across all water functions, from biodiversity and compliance to customer and asset data, and now this new AI tool further empowers users to capture both the scientific data and human knowledge required to keep water safe and secure.”

The AI-powered chatbot blends the benefits of ChatGPT with utilities’ data

SUEZ AND NWL PARTNER IN HYDRO POWERED CONCENTRIC SMART METER PROJECT

SUEZ will develop an AI-based analysis software that can intelligently infer usage patterns from consumer consumption profiles

SUEZ has joined forces with Northumbrian Water Ltd. (NWL) as one of the key partners in the groundbreaking Hydro Powered Concentric Smart Meter Project, the recipient of the Ofwat Innovation Fund’s Catalyst Stream prize, with a grant amounting to nearly £900,000.

Constant transmission of smart meter data drains battery life and reduces the usable life of current smart meters. The Hydro Powered Concentric Smart Meter Project is set to overcome these limitations by harnessing the flow of water to

provide unlimited power source for the meter. Among its key benefits include live, rich data for consumers and utilities; reduced consumption and improved leak prevention; water savings and enhanced sustainability; reduced maintenance; and elimination of batteries.

SUEZ plays an innovative contribution and a pivotal role in the project by developing an AI-based analysis software that can intelligently infer usage patterns from consumer consumption profiles. Additionally, SUEZ is behind the devel-

DIGITAL WATER SAVES MILLIONS FOR COMMUNITIES, ACCORDING TO LEADING UTILITIES

In a new paper from Xylem and Bluefield Research, 18 water utility experts share a playbook for digital transformation and community impact

Leading water utilities are increasingly embracing data analytics and digital technology to optimize their operations, save millions for communities and increase water networks’ resilience to climate change.

Insights from 18 global water utility leaders and experts that are influential in early-stage digital adoption are featured in a new paper from water technology leader Xylem and Bluefield Research. These utility experts share perspectives on how “going digital” is helping them

to solve big water challenges in their communities. Their shared expertise provides a blueprint to accelerate the modernization of 400,000 water, wastewater, and stormwater systems worldwide.

Utilities that participated in the paper implemented digital technology to save billions of gallons of water, prevent millions of gallons of sewer overflow pollution, and save millions of dollars in energy costs. The utility experts featured in the paper, Ripple Effect: A Movement Towards Digital Transformation, demonstrate how

opment of low-power meter data transmitters that ensure optimal energy efficiency and preservation of meter battery life. Through its state-of-the-art metrology testing centre, SUEZ will also be responsible for testing prototyped devices.

The two-year project, composed of an international and multi-sector partnership, will be executed through several delivery phases including feasibility and discovery; ideation and evaluation; business case development; prototype design, build, and testing.

incremental approaches to digital adoption lead to powerful outcomes.

“Utilities are transforming the water sector and delivering big benefits for local communities -- saving money, preventing leaks and overflows, and cutting emissions”, Matthew Pine, Chief Operating Officer at Xylem, said. “Learning from the experiences of these pacesetters, utilities of all sizes, and at any stage of digital maturity, can accelerate their transition to more affordable and more sustainable infrastructure.”

QUINN JACKSON-ELLIOTT VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR OLEA EDGE ANALYTICS

With the recent deluge of rain, severe drought in the western U.S. is beginning to recede. Despite the recent reprieve for the west coast, localities and state entities cannot turn a blind eye to water shortages.

Drought spurs water scarcity, and water shortages are still a pervasive problem for state and local governments. Water utilities are constantly trying to meet the demands of a growing population with a finite water supply. Drought conditions are inevitable, and cities must find new ways to address water loss and non-revenue water.

S&P Global Ratings found that cities battling drought may experience a reduction in revenue from their water systems because water is in such a scarce supply. In addition to adversely impacting billing rates for customers, this could have severe implications on a city’s budget, impacting economic growth, affecting property values and lowering credit ratings when borrowing. Some utilities have turned to a data-driven approach to help them mitigate water loss and recover lost revenue opportunities.

While they only account for a small portion of the meter population a utility manages, large industrial and commercial meters make up a significant percentage of a city’s water revenue. These high-value meters can lose accuracy by more than ten per cent even under regular conditions, so cities must ensure they are operating with maximum accuracy in the midst of a drought. By placing sensors on large commercial and industrial water meters, cities are able to determine which meters are malfunctioning, what the cause is and how repairs or replacements should be prioritized.

The City of Irving, Texas, has deployed this new technology as a means to monitor the performance of and diagnose potential problems on some of its largest water meters. Field crews were impressed by how quickly they were able to iden-

tify ineffective meters with this new solution as opposed to traditional testing methods. The program not only reduced Irving’s water loss but also recovered an estimated $160,000 in annual revenue, after repairing just 11 meters.

The last several years of water scarcity along the west coast thrust California into the spotlight, as utilities were forced to find new and innovative ways to improve water efficiency and accountability. Recognizing that traditional methods of managing water supply were no longer sufficient, many California water leaders turned to new technology.

Several water utilities in California representing counties across the state recently deployed technology by Olea Edge Analytics to monitor some of their largest commercial and industrial meters using IoT sensors and AI. The sensors then collected data continuously over the next 7 days for analysis. On average, Olea’s technology found that almost 54% of the meters were underperforming to some degree, and one city was projected to reduce water loss by over 26.2 million gallons in the first year by repairing just 7 of the broken meters.

Unprecedented conditions call for innovative solutions

This is not the first time cities have turned to technology to help them battle a drought, but as the severity of these conditions increases, outdated methods simply aren't enough to combat water scarcity. In order to truly optimise the way water is managed and conserved, utilities must start the process by getting an accurate picture of where their water is going.

Commercial water meters are one of the biggest sources of cash flow for water utilities, with the potential to bring in thousands in monthly revenue. It’s only now that utilities have the technology to truly see and optimise meter performance. Cities can only ensure that water revenue is fully realized when they optimise metering and associated services.

By placing sensors on large commercial and industrial water meters, cities are able to determine which meters are malfunctioning

IN THE FACE OF DROUGHT, CITIES TURN TO TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT WATER SCARCITY AND RECOVER

WATER SECURITY

The Middle East is a very diverse region but many countries have in common a high level of water stress and rapidly expanding populations that will drive increased consumption to meet the needs of people, agriculture and businesses.

Water security covers many aspects, though it can be understood to refer to the availability of water in adequate quantity and quality for human well-being, socio-economic development, and ecosystem health. Smart Water Magazine had a chance to interview Jemima Oakey, Consultant on Middle Eastern Water and Food Security and founder of the Green Futures Network, to get a glimpse of water security issues in the region: concerns, successes, and the path ahead to achieve a water secure future.

Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current involvement with water issues.

I am an Associate in Middle Eastern water and food security at London-based con-

sultancy, Azure Strategy and a consultant on the region for AKE International. I have previously consulted for Middle Eastern governments on their food and water security strategies and worked with development institutes, think tanks and NGOs based in the region on natural resource management. Recently, I founded the Green Futures Network which seeks to bring together environmental professionals in the region to debate how to build a water-secure and green future for the Middle East through monthly networking events. Previously I was the Middle East Analyst at Global Water Intelligence and have also worked on transboundary water issues with EcoPeace Middle East.

What are the key challenges and factors contributing to water security concerns in the Middle East region?

The Middle East’s water security challenges do not originate solely from climate change, although this serves to exacerbate pre-existing water scarcity issues. Historic mismanagement, rapidly expanding population growth, unsustainable abstraction of natural resources and conflict have

all contributed to driving water scarcity. For example, Jordan has faced successive large-scale influxes of refugees which has drastically reduced its water availability per capita. Unsustainable groundwater extractions conducted throughout the region, but most notably in Yemen, continue to deplete groundwater levels at an unsustainable rate, leaving emergency aquifer reserves extremely low and at risk of saline intrusion. In the majority of the Gulf, domestic water consumption typically exceeds 450 litres per person per day - in the UK consumption is around 145 litres per person per day. And in Syria over a decade of conflict has seen water infrastructure decimated and water resources polluted. The Middle East is facing a perfect storm of both man-made and climate-related water crises which need urgent redress.

Can you comment on the implications of water and food security for regional stability in the Middle East?

There is a widely held misconception in the media that water insecurity naturally generates conflict. This is an incorrect and unhelpful narrative and to subscribe

"The Middle East’s water security challenges do not originate solely from climate change, although it has exacerbated water scarcity issues"

Z Cristina novo Pérez

CONSULTANT ON MIDDLE EASTERN WATER AND FOOD SECURITY

JEMIMA OAKEY

to this narrative risks governments and international organisations funnelling money towards solutions that further securitise water rather than addressing issues that tackle water insecurity itself.

Water and food insecurity instead act as “threat and risk multipliers” for regional stability by amplifying the threats posed by preexisting social, economic or political issues. Therefore, when countries already suffering from severe economic hardship and/or political turmoil also face water scarcity, these preexisting issues have an increased chance of escalating and becoming crises that compromise regional stability.

Food security is intrinsically tied to water security; you cannot have food security without water security. Countries such as Egypt which face absolute water scarcity have weakened food security situations as domestic food production is severely constrained due to insufficient water resources. Consequently, they risk import dependency for their food security. This dependency is problematic when food supplies are compromised by shocks to the international market thereby destabilising regional economic

stability. This was recently exemplified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

What are some successful examples of water management and conservation strategies implemented in the region to address water scarcity and ensure long-term sustainability?

Israel’s national water company, Mekorot, has some of the most successful water management and conservation strategies in the region. Since the signing of the Abraham Accords, signatory countries have quickly sought to make the most of Israel’s expertise. Mekorot has successfully managed to reduce Israel’s non-revenue water to around 3%, and recycles 85% of its wastewater. In addition to this, over 70% of its domestic water resources is desalinated water.

These are very successful water management and conservation strategies. However, the water situations in the West Bank and Gaza are vastly different. Water security must be for all, as failing to manage all water resources properly endangers the long-term sustainability of Israel’s overall water security. Israel regularly cuts the electricity supply to Gaza,

leaving Gaza unable to treat its wastewater. Therefore, there is a huge runoff of raw effluent into the Mediterranean from Gaza. This causes pollution of local water resources and operational disruption to some of Israel’s largest desalination plants. It is therefore in everyone’s interests to have successful water management and conservation strategies for all water resources in order to have a truly sustainable and secure water situation.

To what extent are the different countries in the region adopting innovative approaches and technologies to deal with water scarcity?

The extent to which different countries in the region are adopting innovative approaches and technologies differs widely

“The Middle East is facing a perfect storm of both man-made and climate-related water crises which need urgent redress”

"Since the signing of the Abraham Accords, signatory countries have quickly sought to make the most of Israel’s water management expertise"

depending on their financial resources and which aspects of water scarcity are most pressing for each country. Whilst there are many successful projects underway, no country has successfully addressed water scarcity in its entirety and developed a truly circular economy.

Despite the Gulf being the region’s hub for cutting-edge innovation and technological developments related to water, it has extremely high levels of domestic water consumption which restrict its progress towards achieving water security. Jordan is developing a desalination plant in Aqaba to help generate an estimated 250 million cubic metres of extra water per year and increase availability per capita. However, it still loses approximately 50% of its water through non-revenue water each year, leaving it in a vulnerable position. Egypt is adapting its water security by reforming its agricultural sector through irrigation upgrades and is soon to increase its available water resources by developing 17 new desalination plants. Yet the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will soon decrease Egypt’s available water resources. Egypt therefore must work with Ethiopia to develop an innovative water sharing agreement which forecasts dam releases with advanced modelling technologies.

These examples serve to illustrate how many complex dimensions there are to achieving water scarcity and the huge efforts required to fully secure the Middle East’s water future.

Some Middle East countries have very high per capita water consumption

compared to the global average. Do you see a role for demand management policies to help address water scarcity in the future?

The UN suggests that per capita water consumption should be 100 litres per person per day. However, in much of the Gulf water consumption reaches well over 450 litres per person per day. Demand has to be addressed; as desalination becomes cheaper it becomes more feasible to use desalinated water in agriculture. The unnecessarily high consumer demand drains much of the desalinated supply and prevents agriculture from moving away from groundwater abstractions. This in turn deprives future generations of emergency groundwater reserves for times of extreme scarcity. Domestic demand management is a feasible policy which governments can achieve through public awareness campaigns; Jordan successfully encouraged consumer consumption saving by communicating through schools, mosques and the media. Consumption must be managed urgently to ensure groundwater resources are protected and rehabilitated for future generations to use.

What are your thoughts about balancing self-reliance in terms of agriculturalproduction in very arid countries and ensuring sustainable water supplies in the long term?

This is a very timely question. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shone a harsh light on many Middle Eastern countries’ import dependency for their food security. Countries such as Yemen, Lebanon and Egypt imported more than 60% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine’s loss of arable land and damage to its ports, combined with Western sanctions on Russia, has made sourcing wheat from Russia and Ukraine incredibly difficult. Therefore, some countries, like Egypt, are seeking to expand their agricultural capabilities to increase their national food production and reduce dependency on other countries and their subsequent exposure and vulnerability to market shocks.

However, this is extremely tricky to do. In most of the Middle East, agriculture is the single biggest consumer of water resources. Agriculture’s high-water consumption is in part due to the production of water intensive foodstuffs

"Despite the Gulf being the region’s hub for cutting edge innovation related to water, it has high levels of domestic water consumption"

not suited to their domestic climate and inefficient irrigation practices. Staying with Egypt as a case study, Egypt has 560 m3 per capita per year - the UN states absolute water scarcity as 500 m3 per capita per year. Despite the planned construction of 17 new desalination plants, Egypt will still lack the water resources necessary to expand its arable land enough to grow the wheat required to make up for the deficit from Ukraine. Therefore, countries experiencing this are in a very difficult predicament and require the support of the international community to improve the quality and efficient use of existing water resources and rethink the best approaches to agricultural production.

Can you tell us about your expectations for the decarbonisation of water production and management services, in particular desalination?

The water sector, particularly desalination, has a large carbon footprint contributing to 2% of global emissions - roughly the same as the global shipping industry. Much attention has been paid recently by water utilities and the desalination industry on how to reduce the water sector’s carbon emissions and impact on the environment. This has seen the increased incorporation of solar energy into desalination plants, the improved efficiency of wastewater and desalination plants’ operational practices through the implementation of new technologies and increased attention to brine disposal management.

So far Australia, the UK, the Netherlands and Denmark have led the way in decarbonisation efforts. However, whilst IWA and Xylem recently reported that 50% of energy-related emissions from the wastewater sector can be eliminated through better implementing new technologies, many utilities need support in tackling emissions. For regions such as the Middle East, where ensuring supply and extending wastewater network coverage is the top priority, decarbonisa-

tion understandably falls by the wayside. However, with the right support from governments and appropriate financing, low-carbon and net-zero water networks can be incorporated into the roll out of network coverage and the creation of desalinated water.

Looking towards the future, what are your predictions or recommendations for ensuring water security in the Middle East? Are there any emerging trends or areas of focus that need more attention?

The first challenge is to prevent the heating of the climate above 1.5 degrees Celsius through a global decarbonisation effort and move away from fossil fuels. A failure to stop the climate heating above 1.5 degrees Celsius will critically endanger any hopes of water security in the Middle East. A continually heating climate increases the likelihood and severity of droughts, loss of water resources and subsequent crop failures.

The second biggest challenge to water security in the Middle East is population growth. The UN cites the Middle East as holding 6% of the world’s population but less than 2% of its water resources. The region does not have the water re-

sources to meet the demand of its existing population, and climate change will continue to reduce these resources whilst the population expands and demand increases. Domestic consumption, particularly in the Gulf, must be drastically decreased, existing water resources used efficiently and recycled, and new water resources developed with renewable energy-powered desalination plants in order to safeguard the resources of future increased populations.

This is a huge task which requires significant investment, consumer behavioural change and extensive agricultural reform. As this is a problem shared across the Middle East, and at a time of thawing regional political relations, tackling water scarcity is an issue Middle Eastern governments should solve together through cross-regional efforts.

"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shone a harsh light on many Middle Eastern countries’ import dependency for their food security"

The high consumer demand drains much of the desalinated supply and prevents agriculture from moving away from groundwater abstractions

SHEILA KEE

SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER AT TEMETRA ANALYSIS, ITRON

FIGHTING WATER SCARCITY –HOW UTILITIES CAN STEP IN

Water, the world’s most precious, finite resource, is becoming increasingly scarce around the world. Things such as natural disasters, increased food production and growing energy requirements cause massive disruptions to water systems and supplies. According to UNICEF, half of the world’s population could be living in areas experiencing severe water scarcity by 2025, and by 2030, around 700 million people globally could be displaced due to a lack of water. The issue of water scarcity is accelerating, and it is up to all stakeholders, including utilities, to do what they can to alleviate the demand.

Water utilities have traditionally implemented inefficient approaches to combating water scarcity, such as manual surveillance of miles of pipes to “listen” for leaks, but these methods are no longer sufficient. Utilities need to embrace technology, like advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), to boost conservation efforts and reduce water loss.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 10% of homes in the U.S. at any given time have leaks that amount to 90 gallons of water or more every day. The leaks in an average household amount to nearly 10,000 gallons of wasted water every year. Globally, one third of the water within the distribution system is lost prior to reaching its destination. Modern systems that leverage technology like AMI can immensely decrease the vast amount of water lost.

In lieu of the time consuming, manual methods of inspecting pipes for leaks, utilities can deploy pressure and leak detecting sensors and monitoring solutions. These modernized systems can save enormous amounts of water; in California alone, 97.4 billion gallons of water are lost per year due to leaks or asset failures. Utilizing pressure and leak-detecting solutions, 27 billion gallons of this lost water can be economically recovered.

These solutions allow for real-time, unprecedented visibility into water distribution networks. The ability to immedi-

ately and accurately detect leaks can eliminate non-revenue water (NRW), which refers to the water lost through things like leaks before it reaches the customer. These leaks can be remediated and targeted through technology that leverages leak detection, which uses spatial analysis of flow, pressure and consumption level to monitor water networks. Pressure-reducing values (PRV) manage pressure within the pipe to diminish losses near the leak while ensuring that there is otherwise adequate pressure for customers.

There are specific sensors that a utility can deploy to listen for leaks within the distribution system of a water network. These sensors reduce NRW losses and can prevent catastrophic main breaks. Additionally, the visibility they provide to organizations shows the near real-time usage of water throughout the network so that abnormally high flow rates and other statistical anomalies can be monitored.

AMI allows utilities to gain insights into usage patterns, detect leaks, identify areas of high demand and implement strategies to optimize water distribution. This proactive approach enables utilities to ultimately reduce the amount of water lost, contributing to water conservation and sustainability efforts.

Unidentified and unresolved leaks go unrepaired for longer when traditional leak detection and repair methods are used, resulting in prolonged water loss. The adoption of technology-driven solutions like AMI or leak detection systems is crucial to addressing the global water crisis. By enhancing water utilities' efficiency and effectiveness, water loss is minimized, resources are conserved and the fight toward a sustainable water supply for current and future generations continues. The combination of innovative technologies, real-time monitoring and targeted interventions empowers utilities to make significant strides in water conservation and management.

AMI allows utilities to gain insights into usage patterns, detect leaks, identify areas of high demand and optimize water distribution

DR ALEXANDROS STEFANAKIS

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF CRETE, GREECE

NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS: ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING TOOLS FOR A CIRCULAR SOCIETY

Today, humanity enjoys the benefits of the economic growth of the last decades. While the global poverty rate is reduced, we are facing the existential threat of climate change. The linear economic model is the main cause for the evolving climate crisis that may have irreversible effects on humans, the built environment, and the biosphere; recent studies demonstrate that over 3.3 billion people live in places that are highly vulnerable to climate change, while the global and regional water cycle is changing, and water variability is increasing.

The circular economy is designed to minimize resource input and waste and emission production. The circular model adjusts our priorities and re-orients future infrastructure investments. In this context, we look back to nature to find the solutions we need to increase the resiliency of our societies, protect and restore the ecosystems, and maintain the necessary economic growth without further undermining the planet’s boundaries. Nature-based solutions (NBS) serve exactly this multi-factorial purpose due to their inherent ability to tackle climate change and to provide multiple ecosystems services and social benefits.

We view nature as part, not only of future solutions, but also of the design process itself”.

Nature-based solutions are of particular importance for water efficiency and the protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems

The NBS concept is based on biomimicry, i.e., the process where we learn from, are inspired by, and copy nature. NBS implementation requires a deep understanding of the natural environment and natural processes to harness the power of ecosystems and the sophistication of nature as infrastructure. NBS utilize complex natural processes, e.g., the ability to store carbon and regulate water flow, representing a key factor for well-being, life quality, prosperity, biodiversity, green growth, and social, economic and environmental sustainability. As the International Ecological Engineering Society mentions in their manifesto “systems thinking is the first critical step towards the development of new holistic and interdisciplinary engineering solutions at all scales. An ecology-inspired approach to engineering provides answers to these challenges.

According to the European Commission, there are four key areas for NBS implementation: (i) supporting sustainable urbanization to stimulate economic growth and enhance human well-being, (ii) restoring degraded ecosystems by improving their resilience and increasing the ecosystem services, (iii) climate change adaptation and mitigation, and (iv) improving risk management and resilience. As water is at the centre of climate change impacts, NBS are of particular importance for improved water efficiency and the protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Blue/green space in the urban environment can reduce the heat stress and flooding intensity. Wetlands provide multiple ecosystem services, such as flood protection, fisheries habitat, and water purification. NBS can change the way we manage our water resources, supporting the transition to sustainable and circular sanitation. Combined sewer overflow, i.e., municipal wastewater, urban runoff, and stormwater in the same pipe is collected towards an end-of-pipe centralized wastewater treatment plant. This often results in overloaded treatment plants and flood incidents in urban areas or further re-contamination of surface water bodies. Here, constructed wetlands bring new alternatives for decentralized and sustainable urban water and wastewater management by providing effective sanitation and pollution load reduction, while creating green spaces and reducing the carbon footprint.

As the global urban population continues to rise, there are multiple challenges such as resource depletion, climate change, and ecosystem degradation. A new holistic approach is required for the urban transition to a circular society, where resources are kept and reused within the city. NBS can fulfil these expectations and provide additional multifunctional benefits for the urban environment.

SECURING EGYPT'S LIQUID GOLD: NAVIGATING THE FINANCIAL GAP TOWARDS WATER SECURITY

In the arid expanse of Egypt, where the scorching sun relentlessly embraces the barren earth, a treasure lies in the Nile — liquid gold, embodied in its lifesustaining water. This precious resource holds the key to Egypt's prosperity and survival, but it faces a formidable adversary among other challenges — a substantial financial gap.

Z Dr Hassan Aboelnga, Researcher, Urban Water Security, TH Köln

As Egypt races against time to achieve sustainable development goal no 6 on water by 2030, bridging the divide in water financing becomes paramount. By bridging the financial gap Egypt can safeguard its future and achieve water security. This article proposes a comprehensive framework on how Egypt can sustain the liquid gold, exploring the challenges, potential solutions, and the pivotal role it plays in shaping the nation's destiny under the relentless desert sun.

Egypt faces the fundamental challenge of achieving water security while needing to do more with less. With a

rapidly growing population and limited water resources, the country relies heavily on the River Nile as its primary water source. However, climate change exacerbates the situation, putting additional strain on water availability. In response, Egypt has implemented strategies such as water conservation, infrastructure development, desalination, irrigation efficiency, international cooperation, and research and innovation. These efforts aim to optimize water usage, improve agricultural practices, and ensure equitable sharing of water resources. Through a comprehensive and sustainable approach, Egypt strives to overcome its water security challenges and achieve a secure and prosperous future.

As Egypt strives to meet its vision for sustainable development by 2030, financing the water sector emerges as a critical hurdle. Limited resources, aging infrastructure, inefficient governance, and a growing demand for water services necessitate a new paradigm to

bridge the financial gap. Ensuring water security is a pressing concern for Egypt, given its increasing population and water scarcity issues. To meet the ambitious sustainable development goals outlined in Egypt's Vision 2030, a fresh perspective on financing the water sector is imperative.

Egypt's quest for water security: navigating challenges, building resilience Egypt is facing the challenge of surpassing its renewable water resources, and the situation is projected to worsen due to population growth and increasing water demands from different sectors. Egypt recognizes the potential impacts of climate change on water resources, and efforts are needed to address the existing water scarcity and ensure sustainable water management for the future. According to the National Water Resources Plan (NWRP 2017) of Egypt, the River Nile provides an average annual water availability of 55.5 billion cubic metres (BCM). However, this falls short by 33.75 BCM compared to the water demand outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Egypt is categorized as a water-scarce nation, yet it has not yet reached the critical threshold of absolute water scarcity, which is defined as 500 cubic metres per person per year. As of 2018, the

The World Bank’s Egypt infrastructure report states that an investment of approximately $45 billion is required for water projects

available freshwater per person per year in Egypt stood at 570 cubic metres.

On the other hand, Egypt faces the challenge of limited financial resources to invest in water infrastructure development and maintenance. Clearly, the financial status quo of the budget directed to the water sector is not enough to meet the ambitious SDG6. The high cost of implementing sustainable water management practices, such as wastewater treatment plants, water recycling systems, and water conservation initiatives, requires substantial funding.

According to The World Bank’s Egypt infrastructure report, it states that an investment of approximately $45 billion is required for water projects in addition to the current baseline projections. The report highlights that over 75% of rural communities in Egypt lack wastewater treatment facilities, emphasizing the need for investment specifically in this area. The World Bank estimates that around $14 billion will need to be invested solely in wastewater treatment facilities to address this gap.

Egypt's water infrastructure is facing the dual challenge of aging infrastructure and increasing demand. Many water treatment plants, pipelines, and distribution networks require significant upgrades and rehabilitation. Furthermore, population growth and urbanization have led to an escalation in water demand, straining existing infrastructure. Financing the necessary expansions and

improvements is vital to ensure reliable water services for all.

Inefficient governance and limited private sector involvement contribute to the financial challenges in Egypt's water sector. Weak regulatory frameworks, lack of transparency, and bureaucratic obstacles hinder effective resource allocation and utilization. Insufficient collaboration between public authorities,

To meet the sustainable development goals outlined in Egypt's Vision 2030, a fresh perspective on financing the water sector is imperative

service providers, and financial institutions limits access to innovative financing mechanisms, impeding the sector's growth and sustainability.

From scarcity to sustainability: Egypt's journey to water security

Egypt has undertaken several megaprojects in the water sector to address its water-related challenges and ensure sustainable water resources. Notable among these projects is the New Cairo Wastewater Treatment Plant, designed to enhance wastewater treatment capacity and improve water quality. Additionally, the Toshka Project aims to transform the arid Toshka Depression into arable land through an extensive network of canals, tapping into water resources from Lake Nasser. Desalination plants along Egypt's coasts, particularly in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, provide alternative sources of freshwater. These megaprojects, along with others focused on infrastructure development and water management, demonstrate Egypt's commitment to bridging the water supply gap and ensuring sustainable water resources for its population.

The new paradigm for financing a water-secure future in Egypt

Egypt faces several challenges in financing its water sector. Limited public resources, inefficient allocation and utilization of funds, and underperforming service providers are some of the key obstacles. Furthermore, attracting private sector investment and establishing sustainable financing relationships require a paradigm shift in the sector's governance and operations.

Component 1: efficient planning, budgeting, and resource allocation

Egypt must take the lead in establishing robust policy, planning, and governance frameworks to enhance the water sector's efficiency and creditworthiness. This involves the strategic allocation of

resources and prioritizing investments in water infrastructure. Transparent budgeting processes and effective financial management systems will not only attract commercial finance but also ensure optimal utilization of public funds.

Component 2: enhancing service providers' performance and governance

The underperformance and inefficiencies of service providers pose a significant opportunity cost to both the government and the sector. Addressing this challenge requires improving the performance and governance of these entities. Implementing performance-based contracts, fostering transparency, encouraging healthy competition, and investing in capacity building are vital steps towards unlocking untapped financial resources within the water sector.

Component 3: leveraging public funds to attract commercial finance

Recognizing the limitations of public funds alone, Egypt needs to leverage these resources to attract commercial finance. Public-private partnerships and blended finance models can be em-

ployed to encourage private sector participation and investment in the water sector. By strategically utilizing public funds as catalysts, Egypt can unlock additional capital and expertise. Building strong relationships between service providers and banks is crucial, as it allows for sustainable financing relationships and knowledge transfer.

Component 4: capacity building and knowledge transfer

Enhancing the capacity of water sector professionals, service providers, and financial institutions is essential for effective resource management and sustainable financing. Knowledge sharing platforms, training programs, and technical assistance initiatives can facilitate the transfer of expertise and promote best practices.

Component 5: digital transformation of the water sector

Digital transformation presents an unparalleled opportunity for Egypt's water sector to bridge the financial gap, attract new finance, and achieve SDG 6. By leveraging digital technologies for

efficient data management, smart metering, predictive analytics, digital financing platforms, and enhanced monitoring, Egypt can optimize resource allocation, enhance efficiency, and demonstrate its commitment to sustainable water management practices. Embracing digital transformation will not only bridge the financial gap but also position Egypt as a leader in leveraging technology for water security and sustainable development.

Embracing this new paradigm for financing Egypt's water sector offers numerous benefits. Efficient planning, budgeting, and allocation of public resources will lead to optimized investments and improved sector efficiency. Enhancing service providers' performance and governance will result in cost savings and increased financial viability. Leveraging public funds to attract commercial finance not only increases available capital but also stimulates private sector involvement and innovation.

Addressing the challenges associated with financing Egypt's water sector requires a comprehensive and innovative approach. By adopting the proposed framework, Egypt can overcome limitations posed by limited public resources and underperforming service providers. Efficient planning, improved governance, and leveraging public funds to attract commercial finance is integral to achieving water security and sustainable development goals. With a collective effort from the government, service providers, and financial institutions, Egypt can ensure a prosperous and water-secure future for its citizens.

Egypt must establish robust policy, planning, and governance frameworks to enhance the water sector's efficiency and creditworthiness

TANZANIA TO LAUNCH $20 BILLION WATER INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

will need to produce at least 50% more food by 2030. Approximately USD 50 billion annually, or USD 40 per African per year is required, to achieve water security and sustainable sanitation in Africa by 2030. Currently, only USD 10 – USD 19 billion is invested each year.

“The High-Level Panel on Water Investments in Africa has demonstrated in its landmark report, Africa’s Rising Investment Tide, that achieving water security and sustainable sanitation for all in Africa is possible by 2030 and is within the power of African leaders. It is commendable that more and more African states are developing their own Water Investment Programmes,” explained Mr Alex Simalabwi, Executive Secretary - GWPSA.

The Government of Tanzania will launch a USD 20 billion national Water Investment Programme (TanWIP) in 2023. The Programme’s goal is to enhance water security in Tanzania through the mobilisation of resources for strategic investments, fostering multisectoral collaboration, and promoting sustainable water management practices, all in alignment with the SDG targets and Tanzania’s long-term development goals.

The Programme will invest USD 20 billion in Tanzania’s water sector from 2023 to 2030, translating to about USD 3 billion annually. According to the Government, TanWIP will leverage technical and financial contributions from both the public sector and its partners.

The programme is structured in four focus areas: water investment for social

well-being and development; water governance and institutional strengthening; water investment for sustainable economic development; and resilience for sustainable development through water Investments.

The TanWIP is being developed with support from Global Water Partnership Tanzania & Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA-Africa) which hosts the Secretariat of the Continental African Water Investment Programme (AIP), an African Union (AU) initiative which seeks to narrow the investment gap towards achieving SDG 6.

Over 300 million Africans do not have access to clean drinking water and over 700 million live without access to good sanitation. According to the African Development Bank, the African population will reach 1.6 billion and the continent

The Panel’s report outlines three pathways to secure an additional USD 30 billion annually to achieve water security and sustainable sanitation in Africa by 2030 on the continent: achieve more impactful water spending and financial leveraging; mobilise domestic resources; secure global and continental investment and finance.

“Among others, the High-Level Panel’s report advises that governments should increase public budgets and investments for water security; track progress and enhance mutual accountability for results in the mobilisation of water investments; mobilise new sources of funding and innovative finance; strengthen institutional regulation for water investments & use Official Development Assistance (ODA) to de-risk water investments,” said Mr Simalabwi.

The programme’s goal is to enhance water security in Tanzania through the mobilisation of resources for strategic investments

SOUTH AFRICA AND LESOTHO LAUNCH PHASE 2 LESOTHO HIGHLANDS WATER PROJECT

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, His Majesty King Letsie III, and Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, launched Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project on Tuesday. The project will ensure greater water and energy security for South Africans and Basotho.

South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho share a close historic relationship whose substance today entails strengthened economic cooperation between the two countries, read a press statement released by The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a partnership between South Africa and Lesotho dating back to a treaty agreed upon by the two governments to supply water to the Vaal River System, which ensures water security for Gauteng, the Free State, the Northern Cape and the North West.

The binational infrastructure project involves the construction of a network of tunnels and the dams to transfer water from the Orange-Senqu River in the Lesotho Highlands to South Africa, and

THE WORLD BANK APPROVES US$250 MILLION TO TACKLE JORDAN’S WATER CRISIS

The project will deliver impact by reducing water losses, reducing electricity usage and improving water management systems

The World Bank has approved US$250 million in financing to improve the efficiency of water services in Jordan through the rehabilitation of water distribution networks, improving energy efficiency and strengthening the drought management system in the Kingdom.

Jordan is one of the most water-scare countries in the world, and the anticipated outcomes of this project are significant and wide-reaching. The project will deliver impact for people and the planet by reducing water losses, reducing electric-

ity usage and improving water management systems. An estimated 1.6 million people will benefit from improved water services. Water system management will also be strengthened for farmers and industries, building economic productivity and strengthening the country’s resilience to climate shocks.

The approved financing for the new Jordan Water Sector Efficiency Project consists of a US$200 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)

to use the water delivery system to provide hydro-electric power to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Phase 1 of the project was completed 20 years ago, in 2003. The water transfer component of Phase 2 comprises a 165-metre-high concrete-faced rock fill dam at Polihali, downstream of the confluence of the Khubelu and Senqu (Orange) Rivers. This development will also feature a 38-kilometre, concrete-lined gravity tunnel connecting the Polihali reservoir to the Katse reservoir.

and a US$50 million grant from the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF). Launched in 2016, the GCFF provides concessional financing to middle income countries hosting large numbers of refugees. The project will target areas with higher refugee populations, providing benefits to both the refugees and the host community. Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world and is grappling with a severe water crisis that constrains the country’s economic and human development.

Phase 2 comprises a dam at Polihali and a 38-kilometre gravity tunnel connecting the Polihali reservoir to the Katse reservoir

OXAGON, FLOATING HOME OF ADVANCED AND CLEAN INDUSTRIES IN NEOM, SAUDI ARABIA

Oxagon aims to redefine the world’s approach to industrial development, ensuring environmental protection while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. The city will be powered by 100% clean energy. To this end, the world’s largest green hydrogen production facility is currently being built in Oxagon. It will integrate 4 GW of solar and wind energy to produce up to 600 tonnes of green hydrogen per day once operational in 2026, which will be converted to liquid green ammonia to transport and export to the world.

The city will be a focal point for global trade, housing the Port of NEOM, one of the closest ports to the Suez Canal and a key enabler to critical infrastructure development in the region. Boasting the first fully integrated and automated supply chain and logistics network, port operations will prioritise sustainability and principles of circularity.

All port and warehouse equipment will be automated using management systems powered by AI. The design contemplates self-generation of solar power, to use only electric equipment. Furthermore, the quay walls and buildings are to be constructed using low-carbon steel frames instead of concrete, a primary contributor to embodied carbon. The integrated port and logistics hub is anticipated to house the majority of the city’s residents.

Located on NEOM’s Red Sea coast, the coastal city of Oxagon is being built on the largest floating structure in the world. Designed to be a hub for innovation, by 2030 it is expected to provide 70,000 jobs and have a population of 90,000 residents.

SDGs

DR CHARLOTTE MACALISTER

The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNUINWEH) recently published the world’s first-ever “Global Water Security Assessment”, highlighting significant development challenges.

The global water security assessment led by the United Nations found that 78% of the global population lives in water-insecure countries, identifying target areas for policy, funding and action to accelerate progress towards the 2030 agenda. The report considers different dimensions of water security beyond water scarcity to provide a realistic understanding of water security around the world. Dr Charlotte MacAlister, the report’s lead author and senior water security researcher at the UNU-INWEH, shares in this interview the findings of the water security assessment and her expectations for the progress that can be achieved from here to 2030.

Can you tell us briefly about your career path and your current research at the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health?

My academic training focussed on water from the very beginning, with a BSc in Environmental Studies, an MSc in Irrigation and tropical soils and a PhD in Hydrology and Hydrological Modelling. After graduating from Newcastle University in the UK, I spent almost 15 years in Asia

and Africa in the development and water sector, working for and with organizations including the Mekong River Commission, IUCN, UNDP, IWMI, Nile Basin Initiative, national governments, NGOs and local communities. I moved to Canada in 2013 to work for the International Development Research Centre (Government of Canada) and gained experience of the donor side. In 2022 I joined UNU-INWEH to lead the institute’s Water Security research programme.

I’m always looking for new and interesting opportunities to expand my experience and join new projects. I am motivated by a love of learning and building connections with people and communities, based on a common interest to manage our water and land in a more equitable and sustainable manner. Outside of my professional career, I am a mother, a small farmer, and a director of an educational foundation that supports literacy and lifelong learning in rural areas, and I established a climate-smart-communities not-for-profit. I believe that talk is great, but action is better.

UNU-INWEH published the world’s first-ever “Global Water Security As-

sessment” at the UN-Water Conference. What are the most significant challenges it highlights for the years ahead?

A primary goal of the 2023 Global Water Security Assessment was to compare all countries globally using standardised metrics, clearly highlighting regional inequalities, particularly between the North and the South. This is challenging not least given the wide range of monitoring and reporting capacity globally, clearly linked to the level of socio-economic development. We used nationally reported data, where available, to assess water security by the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6, “Clean Water and Sanitation” targets, halfway into the SDG period (2015-2030). This enabled us to include 186 countries, home to more than 7.8 billion people. This also meant

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

“Halfway into the SDG period we are failing the most vulnerable in terms of water security”

UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY. INSTITUTE FOR WATER, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

that we utilised targets, metrics and data sets, already agreed upon by all UN member states.

The assessment highlighted that while all regions have countries with low levels of water security, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), face critical levels of water security due to a range of compounding factors. A total of 23 countries – 16 LDCs and 7 SIDS – are critically water-insecure including the Solomon Islands, Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Vanuatu, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Liberia, St Kitts & Nevis, Libya, Madagascar, Pakistan, South Sudan, Micronesia, Niger, Sierra Leone, Yemen, Chad, Comoros and Sri Lanka.

Access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation remains a pipe dream

for more than half the global population. More than 70% (close to 5.5 billion) do not have safe water access. Regionally, Africa has the lowest levels of safe WASH services worldwide. Almost 31% (over 411 million) of people in the 54 African countries, including 33 LDCs and 6 SIDS, still do not have access to a basic drinking water service and only 201 million people (15%) do have access to safely managed drinking water. In the case of toilets, 1.1 billion (82%) live without access to a safely managed sanitation service. Consequently, more people die globally from a lack of safe WASH services than those killed in water-related disasters. And, alarmingly, this situation is not improving: 2019 saw increased rates of WASH-attributed mortality in 164 countries compared to

previous 2016 World Health Organization estimates.

Comprehensive and accurate water quality assessment at the national level remains a challenge despite a dedicated SDG 6 target. The level of domestic wastewater treatment, assessed by WHO using household sanitation statistics, remains very poor (below 30%) in Africa and large parts of the Asia-Pacific, and poor (below 50%) in most South Amer-

"More people die globally from a lack of safe WASH services than those killed in water-related disasters, and this is not improving"

ican countries, though there are exceptions in all regions

Countries at risk of floods and droughts have compounded challenges that threaten their economic safety. By region, Africa has the highest number of countries at high risk of floods and droughts, while also experiencing accelerated population growth, urbanization and industrialization. Coupled with poor infrastructure and capacity to manage the impact of water-related disasters, this further increases water insecurity.

Why do you think there is more of a focus on water scarcity, and less so on other dimensions of water security, such as sanitation, water quality, or governance?

Water scarcity is easy to see and measure, most obviously taking the form of drought or water shortage. It is also easy to blame “others”, like upstream users, other land users and managers, and developments that can reduce or change downstream

flow such as large hydro. As such it is often linked to conflict – either as a cause or effect. More recently the impacts of climate change on water availability are increasingly obvious, in terms of both overall availability and timing. Many of the same drivers also influence management and perception of flooding. Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), water quality and governance represent more intractable, long-term development challenges, intrinsically linked to other socioeconomic and development issues, typically at a national level. It’s something of a “chicken and egg” situation: strong governance and capacity in the public and private sectors are essential to drive investment and development in public health and WASH services, but without good governance these critical building blocks of development are missing. Moreover, those most impacted by the lack of WASH are typically the poor and most vulnerable, often female-headed households and indigenous or marginalised sections of the population. They don’t have a voice or a seat at the table and are rarely represented in decision-making, even when the decisions are made on their behalf. Likewise poor water quality often results from industrial, agricultural and urban development without adequate planning and policy implementation to deal with the unavoidable outflow from development. Technical and system management solutions exist for

these challenges but they require the will and capacity to implement and are rarely the priority in the early stages of economic development. While poor water quality usually impacts downstream users and the environment, they are rarely represented in development planning. So that governance underlies all of these challenges, and when this is lacking water becomes an issue of social and environmental justice.

According to the report, more people die from a lack of safe WASH services globally than those killed in water-related disasters. Do you think there’s a need to increase the visibility of WASH-attributed mortality? Is this a problem only in low-income countries? Deaths due to inadequate WASH provision are entirely preventable and should no longer occur anywhere in the world in the 21st century. Life expectancy in Western Europe, North America, and many other economically developed countries, doubled in the last century largely due to the public health revolution driven by access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation in rural and urban areas, and the introduction of hygienic practices in all sectors – basically a WASH revolution. This is primarily a development issue and rates of access are still lowest in LDCs. Our assessment, based on WHO data, found that 72 countries still have estimated WASH-attributed mortality rates of over 10 people per 100,000 population in one year and 25 countries have rates of over 40 people per 100,000 population in one year. The highest numbers of deaths occur in Africa, followed by South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with elevated rates in Latin America, especially in Argentina and Bolivia.

The visibility of WASH-attributed mortality should increase, but more importantly, investment, governance and long-term support for improved WASH services must be a priority of development funding in Africa, South Asia and SIDS. This is not an impossible situation. The tools, technolo-

Comprehensive and accurate water quality assessment at the national level remains a challenge despite a dedicated SDG 6 target

"WASH, water quality and governance represent more intractable, long term development challenges, linked to other socio-economic issues"

gies and systems exist to solve this problem, and many have been available for over a century. There are many examples of both government, private sector and community/NGO/civil society-led programmes resulting in significant improvements at different levels. Eighteen African countries did show reduced estimated mortality rates between 2016 and 2019. However, the rate of improvement in access to safe drinking water for example, has actually slowed in 66 countries (representing 44% of the global population), in the first 5 years of the SDG era compared to the last 5 years of the MDG era.

Investment in infrastructure and capacity must focus on the poor and vulnerable populations still living without safe WASH and to do this successfully, inclusive and equitable governance structures need to be built so that the owners and users of the services all play a role in maintaining systems long-term for the benefit of all.

The report found abundant natural freshwater availability does not necessarily mean water security; what are the issues at stake in the countries that are experiencing this situation?

In SDG terms, freshwater abundance is assessed as the proportion of water withdrawn by agriculture (irrigation/ livestock/aquaculture), services (including municipal & domestic), and industry (mining, manufacturing, energy, and construction), compared to available renewable freshwater, after accounting for environmental flows. Assessing freshwater availability in this way at a national level may obscure differences in local water availability, particularly in large countries, and it does not account for water used in rainfed agriculture. Despite these caveats, the report illustrates that 42 of the 54 African countries, and 29 of 34 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) assessed, score highly (8

out of 10 or higher) for freshwater availability. However, with the exception of some LAC countries, most countries in this group score very low on WASH, health, water treatment and water governance targets. Notably, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, and Suriname scored 8 or above for drinking water, Chile scored 10 for water treatment while Brazil scored 7 for Governance. Not surprisingly, an abundance of freshwater without adequate infrastructure, support services, and a foundation of strong water governance does not translate into water security.

Another finding of the assessment is that high water values (water use efficiency) do not always translate into water security. In which world regions does this happen? Does this reflect low levels of equity in terms of access to water?

The top-20 performing countries for ‘Water Use Efficiency’ (WUE) globally, are dominated by 15 high-scoring European countries with strong service and industrial sectors, plus Israel, Kuwait, Qatar (Asia), Antigua and Barbuda (Caribbean) and Angola. Also in Africa, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have high WUE values primarily due to income attributed to ‘thirsty’ mining and petroleum industries. On the flip side, those five African countries are in the lowest scoring group for WASH-attributed mortality (more than 30 deaths per 100,000 population annually). Globally many national economies dominated by petroleum and mining activities have a high economic value per unit of water used (100 USD/m3 or higher), but this does not necessarily result in increased water security from investment in critical WASH infrastructure necessary for equitable access, in human safety, or in water

governance. There is also no correlation between WUE and freshwater availability, with countries scoring the highest for WUE scoring both minimum and maximum for availability.

The report calls for more effort to capture the water security needs of vulnerable communities in all countries and truly “leave no one behind”. To what extent do you think the recent UN Water Conference captured this issue? There was a wide range of communities represented at the meeting in New York in March 2023. That is to say, they were visibly present, including youth and indigenous communities. However, it is not clear if the concerns they raised will be prioritized or even addressed effectively in development spending, whether this is nationally or internationally funded. Many countries and organizations expressed support and announced plans to achieve the SDG water targets at the UN water conference, but as the Global assessment clearly illustrated, the least water-secure countries and their populations remain the poorest and most vulnerable, predominately in the Global South.

Of 7.78 billion people living in 186 countries, over 0.61 billion people (8%) were assessed as critically water-insecure and 5.52 billion (72%) as water-insecure, including 4.31 billion people in the

Asia-Pacific region, 1.34 billion in Africa, 415 million in the Americas, also inducing almost 66 million in Europe. Of the 0.65 billion people (8%) living in moderately water-secure countries and over 1 billion (12%) in water-secure countries, over half live in Europe (0.7 billion) and the remainder in the Americas (0.6 billion). Clearly, when mapped globally, there is a sharp disparity in water security across global regions and sub-regions. The least water-secure regions are Africa, including the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and parts of West Africa, in addition to South Asia, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across the world. Europe and the Americas are significantly more water-secure than other global regions. At the sub-region level, Eastern Europe is markedly less secure than Northern Eu-

Deaths due to inadequate WASH provision are entirely preventable and should no longer occur anywhere in the world in the 21st century

"An abundance of freshwater without adequate infrastructure, support services, and strong governance does not translate into water security"

rope, and South and Central America is less secure than North America. The 23 countries assessed as critically insecure includes 16 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and 23 SIDS.

Some progress has been made but the rate of increase in access to safe drinking water for example has actually slowed since the Millennium Development Goal era (MDGs 2000-2015). In some cases, this can be due to the initial success of achieving the “easy wins” but it can also be due to a reduced focus on WASH. In this regard there were some positive outcomes for increased WASH services in Africa including the spotlight shone on the poor progress. This may not seem positive initially, but it is necessary to force progress and investment. And 5 African governments did make

commitments in the form of Presidential Compacts during the meeting including:

J Ethiopia will revise the loan policy and directives to accommodate loan access for water and sanitation for businesses and consumers. It will also strengthen accountability among water and sanitation stakeholders (policymakers, service providers and the community) and development partners by establishing a strong accountability framework which aligns with the ONEWASH National Programme.

J Ghana will establish a National Sanitation Authority, reduce inequalities in water and sanitation services, particularly in poor and rural communities, and make Ghana’s cities some of the cleanest in Africa.

J Liberia committed to increasing access to basic sanitation by ending open

defecation and will create a unifying monitoring mechanism at all governance levels (national, county, district, and community) to improve institutional coordination.

J Uganda committed to increasing public financing for water, sanitation and hygiene.

J Zimbabwe will create a State of Emergency on Water and Sanitation which will trigger budget and coordination prioritization.

Finally, as the report notes, it is essential to track our progress towards a more water-secure world to better target our efforts. What are your expectations for what can be achieved from here to 2030? Halfway into the SDG period we are failing the most vulnerable in terms of water security. Radical action is needed to “leave no one behind”. If we only consider the global data sets, it can seem hard to find positive outcomes to build upon so we need to look at success stories in countries and communities that have achieved water security through a range of strategies and approaches, both bottom-up and top-down. Capturing progress more accurately can help to target the action that must be taken by all national governments. International and UN agencies have a duty and responsibility to ensure this occurs, but ultimately countries must live up to the commitments they made to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, including monitoring and reporting progress.

The impacts of climate change are not accounted for in water-related SDGs. However, globally there seems to be the widespread public acceptance that the water insecurity experienced directly in many communities as floods, landslides, water shortages, extreme temperatures and wildfires are the result of our changing climate. This recognition can fuel action to better manage our water resources, forcing more equitable water governance which can only lead to a more water-secure world.

PARTNERSHIPS AND COOPERATION FOR WATER

By Pablo González-Cebrián

The United Nations World Water Development Report 2023 on Partnerships and Cooperation assesses the nature and role of partnerships and cooperation among stakeholders in water resources management and development and their role in accelerating progress towards water goals and targets.

WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

E ective partnerships and cooperation lead to services that are more appropriate to the needs of poor communities and increase acceptance of systems

Water use has been increasing by 1% per year over the last 40 years

Agriculture uses 72% of global freshwater withdrawals

Urban water demand is projected to increase by 80% by 2050

WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Watershed protection or rehabilitation measures are among the oldest of water-related partnerships

Over 80% of global wastewater is released to the environment untreated

The global urban population facing water scarcity is projected to increase from 933 million to 1.7–2.4 billion people in 2050

1/3 of the world’s cities that are dependent on surface water compete with agriculture, and this is expected to grow due to rapid urbanization

80% of natural wetlands have been lost since the pre-industrial era

PARTNERSHIPS

Voluntary and collaborative relationships between various parties, both public and non-public, in which all participants agree to work together to achieve a common purpose or undertake a specific task and, as mutually agreed, to share risks and responsibilities, resources and benefits.

WATER COOPERATION

Cooperation is a less formal practice of “working together to the same end” towards a common goal to peacefully manage and use freshwater resources at the local, national, regional and international levels.

WATER AND HEALTH WATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE WATER, INDUSTRY AND ENERGY

Despite interdependencies between the WASH and health sectors, there are gaps in coordination and governance

Climate policy needs to better reflect the role of water and water policy needs to better integrate climate risks

Companies within industries that rely heavily on water for their core business have become increasingly attuned to water stress and the risks it poses to business interests

1.8 billion people using health care facilities lack basic water services and 800 million use facilities with no toilets

The global polio eradication programme is an example of a health partnership with wastewater laboratories, using wastewater as part of a wider surveillance approach

Between 2000–2019, floods are reported to have caused US $650 billion in economic losses

19% of the world’s freshwater withdrawals is used by industry and energy together

Between 2000–2019, droughts a ected another 1.43 billion people

70% of the world’s freshwater use and pollution are caused by 7 major sectors - food, textile, energy, industry, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and mining

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PEPSICO FOUNDATION AND WATERAID PROVIDES SAFE WATER ACCESS IN ETHIOPIA

program implements a systems-wide approach to universal access, looking at aspects of the total system including regulations and guidelines, the functionality of service authorities, longterm strategic planning, and adaptation and learning.”

The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of food and beverage giant PepsiCo, has partnered with WaterAid to bring clean water to more than 10,000 people in two rural towns in the North Mecha District of Ethiopia. This is part of the company’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) agenda – a strategic end-to-end transformation with sustainability at the center of how it will create growth and value by inspiring positive change for the planet and people.

An 18-month project will bring clean water to more than 10,000 people in the Yegind and Abiyot Fana kebeles, whose water supply has been out of service for several years. Since the project commenced, water points have been repaired and a school water system is under construction.

Yaekob Metena, WaterAid Ethiopia Country Director, said: “No one can thrive without access to clean water, a decent toilet or a place to wash hands. That’s why WaterAid is honored to work with the PepsiCo Foundation to improve access to safe water in Ethiopian communities. With safe water close to home, families are healthier and have more time for work and school. It’s great to work alongside a company that understands the importance of sustainable, community-led solutions.”

“This project will complement and expand on the existing five-year Ethiopia-based Sustainable WASH Program in North Mecha, Dera and Farta Woredas of Amhara National Regional State, funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and convened by the Millennium Water Alliance. The

Chris Wijnterp, General Manager at PepsiCo Foods Ethiopia, said: “As a food and beverage company, PepsiCo is acutely aware of the critical role water plays in the food system, and our vision is that wherever in the world PepsiCo operates, water resources will be in a better state because of our presence. This project is a testament to that ambition and supports the health and wellbeing of communities and opens new opportunities through improved standards of living.”

PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation work with partners — including WaterAid, Water.org, Safe Water Network, and the National Business Initiative — alongside community-driven and local organizations to close the gap in safe water access. One of their pep+ goals is to reach 100 million people with safe water access by 2030.

Over the last 15 years, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation have helped reach more than 80 million people with access to safe water through distribution, purification and conservation programs, putting them more than halfway to their goal. Since they started this work in 2006, the PepsiCo Foundation has invested more than $53 million in safe water access programs.

The project will bring clean water to over 10,000 people in Ethiopia whose water supply has been out of service for several years

NEW APPROACHES TO EVALUATING WATER INTERVENTIONS AROUND THE GLOBE

Billions of people around the world face water insecurity. Although there are numerous projects committed to providing safely managed water and sanitation by 2030, a new study – Measuring transformative WASH: A new paradigm for evaluating water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions – available in WIREs Water, advocates for more holistic evaluation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions.

According to the study by Justin Stoler, from the University of Miami College of

Arts and Sciences Department of Geography and Sustainable Development, issues like mental health, violence, injury, and discrimination, are examples of additional challenges that must be measured when considering global WASH projects.

“Most of the world views water projects through the lens of water quality, which I call the ‘20th-century mentality.’ Water quality is still important, but there are additional consequences of water scarcity that need to be considered when it comes to individual health and

BREAKING DOWN TABOOS: YOUNG, FEMALE AND HEADING A SANITATION MASONRY BUSINESS IN UGANDA

In the Ugandan rural context, becoming a mason is an unlikely career choice for a woman, and certainly not the easiest

Tweheyo Naume is only 23, but she has already constructed more than 80 safe sanitation systems and toilets and trained more than 40 other women in her community in the Rwenzori region, western Uganda.

Naume’s vocation started at an early age, helping her uncle, who is also a mason. “I would do jobs for him like fetching water and mixing the sand, and at the end of the day he would pay me. This kept motivating me as time went by. Then the FINISH Mondial programme

came in. They first trained my uncle, and I later joined as well,” explains Naume.

The FINISH Mondial (programme under which Naume and her uncle trained, is implemented in Uganda by the NGOs Caritas Fort Portal-HEWASA and Amref Health Africa and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The programme works towards the SDG 6 target of safe sanitation for all by 2030. Among other things, FINISH Mondial trains masons in setting up their own small sanitation construction business, enabling them

well-being,” said Stoler. “Water insecurity can ruin people’s lives in lots of ways. But water-quality data still drives the narrative of what safe water means without considering other elements like mental health, gender disparities, and injuries that can occur when retrieving water.”

Even when water is safe to drink, millions of people face harassment, assault, anxiety, depression, or work, school, or family care absenteeism when retrieving or consuming household water, according to the study.

to create a livelihood for themselves, while at the same time developing much needed sanitation services.

Pamela Kabasinguzi heads the programme in Uganda and is proud of its achievements so far: “We have constructed close to 50,000 safely managed sanitation facilities across the four districts using climate-friendly technologies. And we have improved agricultural productivity by making nitrogen-rich compost from faecal sludge and trained some 737 youth sanitation entrepreneurs.”

A study led by Justin Stoler, University of Miami, addresses the importance of evaluating a broad set of impacts related to water projects

How do you think communication in the water sector has evolved in recent years?

We can talk about the developments in technology that have really changed how we communicate about water, from social media, VR, and AI to real-time data.

But for me, the most significant evolution is that water researchers are starting to get interested in communications. It’s not happening fast enough, but certainly, we are seeing researchers getting more active on social media channels for example, promoting their research, contributing to conversations and being more engaged in knowledge sharing across different platforms. This is a big leap forward; water communication needs the support of researchers who can champion the science we are talking about and can address misinformation around this sector.

Why do you think it is important to communicate about water?

It’s simple, there is no substitute for water. It’s no longer just raising awareness about water, now it’s about catalysing action and doing things differently in how we think about water and manage it. So effectively communicating about the challenges related to water but also about the evidence-based solutions, such as what my organization IWMI develops through its research, can really provide that impetus for action by policymakers, communities, donors, young people, the private sector and the international community.

There are many untold or unheard stories related to water, innovations, indigenous knowledge, community science and advocacy; and speaking from my own line of work, untold stories related in particular to water-related research. There are also more voices that need to be heard in the telling of the water story, so communication can be the vehicle for all of this.

What are the most challenging aspects of communicating water-related research?

We need to be able to tell a powerful story with our research, but the main challenge is the complexity of that research. Scientific jargon, models, data and technical concepts can be quite difficult to translate into engaging messages for different audiences.

We’ve mentioned water being a resource that cuts across sectors and disciplines, and that in itself is another challenge. It’s probably a little easier to just focus communications on one sector at a time, like WASH for example, but that approach further underpins the siloed nature of water communications. At IWMI, our researchers work to address these knowledge gaps across the various disciplines, which really helps us in our communications to see that “big picture” and talk about it.

To this point, I do believe that scientists and researchers in the water sector are seeing the value of integrating com-

munication into their research from the beginning. This is certainly true of IWMI. They are acknowledging more and more that communications should not be an afterthought or considered just at the tail end of their research project. And this is how communicators and researchers together can address the challenges of translating complex science into communications that are both accurate and impactful. A collaborative space for research and communications provides opportunities to learn from one another. Water research organizations really must invest in increasing their communications capacity.

What would you tell new aspiring water communicators? I would say don’t be afraid to start in this field – take the plunge! (pun intended). It is really an opportunity to make an impact, to talk about the important issues. We need more communicators to work in the water sector and be water champions.

With a global network of scientists working in over 30 countries, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a non-profit water management research organisation with a clear strategy to make “a water-secure world”. To achieve this goal, communication is key. We speak with Niroshini Fernando, Deputy Head of Communication and Knowledge Management at IWMI, about research and communication.

Z Olivia Tempest

Niroshini Fernando, Deputy Head of Communication and Knowledge Management at International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

“WATER RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS MUST INVEST IN INCREASING THEIR COMMUNICATIONS CAPACITY”

BY: SWM TEAM

SOMETHING TO READ...

WINN AND DOUG THE WATERDROPS:

The incredible journey of water

Everyone should learn where water comes from and where it goes after we use it. Written by Tim Olson and Rick Lohmann, in this book young readers in grades 1-5 can read about the water cycle in nature and in urban spaces. With Winn they can explore the different phases of a raindrop’s life, from water vapour to water runoff, and with Doug they can learn how water arrives to our homes and gets clean after we use it. A must for kids.

SOMETHING TO ENJOY...

UMBRELLA

Under the rain with Rihanna

It would be difficult not to have heard this single by the Barbadian singer, or at least one of its many covers. Released in 2007, it served as the lead single to her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad. “Umbrella” was a commercial success, topping the charts in many countries and breaking several records: it is considered one of the best-selling singles of the 2000s.

SOMETHING TO WATCH...

THE LITTLE MERMAID (2023)

Underwater magic

Disney’s live-action adaptation tries to bring back the magic of the 1989 animated classic, with some additions: 52 minutes more, new and classic revamped songs, and changes to the story. The 2023 remake has been the subject of much controversy since it was announced that a Black actress, Halle Bailey, would take on the lead role of Ariel. We’ll leave it at “this is important culturally reparative work” (The New York Times). Watch and see for yourself.