increasingly evaluating the viability (and often the necessity) of adding both to their water supply portfolios.
the panel discussed their shared concerns of meeting the needs of their customers for safe, reliable, and sustainable water supplies.
The IDA convened a panel of global water executives who are navigating the political, technical, social, and financial challenges of integrating desalination and wastewater reuse into their water supply portfolios:
A common theme was the impact of increased water demand combined with the decreased reliability of traditional sources of water supply (such as surface water and groundwater) as drivers for desalination and water reuse. They all mentioned that it was not so much a question of whether they should add desalinated and recycled water to their portfolios, but more of a question of whether they would be able to meet increased demand if they did not.
ʞ Mr.
Marty
Adams,
General
Manager
and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, USA ʞ Ms. Lijun Mo, Head of Future Water Solutions, Water Corp, Australia ʞ Mr. Richard Price, Group Chief Engineering Director, Pennon Group, UK ʞ Mr. Jaime Sanchez, Commercial Director, Europe, VEOLIA Water Technologies & Solutions, Europe Moderated by IDA Board Member, Dr. Marshall W. Davert, Executive Vice President, Stantec,
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The group emphasized importance of accelerating adoption of innovative technologies that increase efficiency and performance across the entire water cycle (and to lower costs). However, they all noted the principal impediments to timely adoption had more to do with challenges presented by environmental and regulatory processes, as well as stakeholder outreach and community engagement.
