INTERNATIONAL WATER VIEWS
t Reuven Rivlin (former President of the State of Israel) in a visit at IDE - Sorek Desalination Plant. It is being as a model for new large-scale projects in Spain. Wikimedia Commons
SPAIN
A New Global Water Leader From a Point of Distress, the Country is Being Thrust Into Global “Wicked Water Problem” Stage By Will Sarni
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ne of my favorite quotes is: “The future is already here – it’s just not evenly distributed, yet,” from William Gibson, author of Neuromancer and creator of the cyberpunk genre. This quote resonates with me because my point of view is that, with regards to innovation with water, the future is here more than is commonly acknowledged. Increasingly, as the public sector, utilities and corporations continually strive to address water-related challenges, there is greater innovation in technology, partnerships, business models and financing and funding. I am also noticing how countries are now rising to the challenge of addressing “wicked water problems.” Traditional country leaders in water such as Singapore, Israel, Denmark and the Netherlands are now joined by other countries, including Spain. The personal connection to leaders who are engaged in water innovation have shaped my view that Spain is a country to watch. A recent story on Spain’s investment in water infrastructure and digital technologies to address the “drought” provides some insights on their national strategy to ensure economic, environmental and business health (Spain to invest around 16b in water to alleviate drought).
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My view of Spain as a leader in addressing water challenges from the impact of climate change is also based on my participation in several conferences in Spain over the past couple of years (IWA Digital Water Conference and WEX Global: The WaterEnergy Exchange) and conversations with water leaders such as Jaime Barba, Mark Barker, Alejandro Sturniolo and a Qatium Distilled episode with Koldo Urkullu. Spain is feeling the impacts of climate change “droughts” and extreme weather events (torrential rain). Spain is one of the most water-stressed countries in Europe, with recurring droughts and over-exploitation of water resources. Climate change is expected to increase water scarcity in the coming decades. According to the Spanish government, 14.6 percent of Spain is currently in a “drought emergency,” while an additional 27.4 percent of the country is on drought alert. This prolonged “drought” (really aridification) is having a socioeconomic impact with estimates that grain production dropped 40 percent this year compared to the last year. As a result, Spain will have to import around 20 million tons of grain. Fruit and vegetable production has also been impacted by the “drought.”
