SIWW Spotlight 2017 Insights

SHANGRI-LA’S RASA SENTOSA SINGAPORE

17–19 JULY 2017

INSIGHTS

SIW W

SPOTLIGHT 2017 Raising the Bar for Water Utility Performance

www.siww.com.sg | info@siww.com.sg

[Front Cover] Sharing on the Flint water crisis

by Dr Joan B. Rose, Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research, Michigan State University, the USA

MESSAGE FROM PETER JOO HEE NG, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, PUB, SINGAPORE’S NATIONAL WATER AGENCY

Mr Peter Joo Hee Ng Chief Executive PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency

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am happy to report on the conclusion of a very successful Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) Spotlight 2017 in Singapore.

More than 220 water utility leaders and professionals had convened in Singapore in July to hear directly from their peers on how to achieve world leading performance. Over two days, they were treated to not just what lay behind success, but also got the specifics of the most recent catastrophes to befall our industry.

Acknowledgements: The organisers of SIWW Spotlight 2017 wish to thank the moderator and speakers of Spotlight 2017 featured in this document, as well as all the delegates for their contributions and participation in the discussion sessions. We would also like to acknowledge the contributions from the following in the preparation of this report: Professor Michael Rouse (Independent International Advisor; Distinguished Research Associate, University of Oxford), Mr Claude Smadja (President, Smadja & Smadja Strategic Advisory), and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, including Professor Asit Biswas (Distinguished Visiting Professor), Dr Cecilia Tortajada (Senior Research Fellow), Tommy Lee, Arnout Sabbe, and Pawan Sachdeva.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to verify the information (accurate as of November 2017) presented in this document. The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions and policies of PUB. The contents contained in this report are strictly for personal, non-commercial or internal use only. Please write in to info@siww.com.sg for any enquiries regarding this report or SIWW Spotlight 2017.

This Spotlight 2017 event is the smaller meeting that we organize in the off-year when the full-sized Singapore International Water Week takes a hiatus. Our aim for Spotlight 2017 was, no less, to design a programme that would be truly useful for water utilities the world over.

Specifically, our ambition was to help water utilities, large and small, improve their performance.

As such, the discussions at Spotlight 2017 were focused entirely on the four agenda-topping areas of: a) Managing all water as one; b) Reducing system losses; c) Safeguarding water quality; and d) Recycling and reusing wastewater.

And by all accounts, I think we may just have succeeded in what we originally set out to do.

We all know that the H2O molecule is never lost and Spotlight 2017 aptly kicked off with a rousing session on the circular water economy.

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We heard about the, by now familiar, success stories of the Netherlands and Singapore. But the meeting was most greatly enthused by what the Chinese are attempting with their Sponge City Project and its sheer mind-boggling scale.

The other sessions at Spotlight 2017 examined the three outcomes that every water utility should have laser-focus on: reducing system losses; guaranteeing the quality of our product; and wastewater reuse. We learnt how Tokyo achieves 3.2% non-revenue water — a world record! — and were in awe of what Monsieur Ek Sonn Chan had done in Phnom Penh against the odds. The session on water quality was a sombre reminder that our first and only responsibility is to our customers, and that we stand or fall on the quality of our product.

Spotlight finished with a flourish, pointing the way forward — Reuse! Indeed, the world’s water future lies with reuse, and so all of us had better become really good at it. Most appropriately, the World Health Organization also launched its new guidance for potable reuse at Spotlight 2017.

I encourage you to peruse in detail the proceedings of Spotlight 2017 in the pages that follow. Our plan is for the contents of this document to further inform the agenda of Singapore International Water Week 2018 (8 - 12 July; siww.com.sg), when many of the participants at Spotlight 2017 will convene again.

My best wishes to all for a happy and successful 2018.

I hope to see you soon in Singapore at SIWW 2018.

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A GLOBAL GATHERING OF WATER LEADERS AT SIWW SPOTLIGHT 2017 (17 – 19 JULY)

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The Spotlight delegate list is available at http://www.siww.com.sg/spotlight2017-delegate-list

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF SPOTLIGHT DISCUSSIONS:

CIRCULAR WATER – MANAGING ALL WATER AS ONE ENCOURAGING STAKEHOLDER COOPERATION

HE Eng. Ali Al-Hazmi, Governor, Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Saudi Arabia

[From L-R] HE Eng. Ali Al-Hazmi, Governor, Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Saudi Arabia; Mr Ma Weizhong, Director of Water Resources, Shanghai Water Authority, China; Mr Adam Lovell, Executive Director, Water Services Association of Australia; Dr ir. Gerhard van den Top, Chairman, Amsterdam Regional Water Authority, the Netherlands; Mr Peter Joo Hee Ng, Chief Executive, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency

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ctions in one area of the water cycle will impact another. And with water at the centre of many pressing challenges today, especially urbanisation and food security, how we manage water affects practically everything else in life.

Water utility leaders thus need to practise circular water management, which refers to developing a holistic approach to ensuring water sustainability, instead of dealing separately with its various aspects. This involves managing the entire water cycle, from the moment rain falls on the surface to water catchment; to water treatment and distribution; and finally to wastewater collection and treatment. In addition, circular water management should be bolstered by good governance, effective stakeholder engagement (including community and private-public partnerships), as well as skilled manpower.

DERIVING SYNERGIES FROM A VIRTUOUS CYCLE Indeed, with growing pressures on water supplies, circular water management can enable countries to break off from the industrial-age linear economy, where resources are used once and then discarded.

For example, Singapore has established a “circular water economy”, as the national water agency PUB manages the entire water cycle as one. Through approaches like drainage systems to husband storm water for water supply, and reclaiming and retreating wastewater to be re-consumed, PUB has closed the water loop. In Amsterdam, their latest wastewater treatment plant recovers resources to generate biogas and for agricultural use.

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Clearly, circular water management calls for sound infrastructure coupled with coordinated and comprehensive strategies. This is further exemplified in China’s Sponge Cities, an ambitious initiative cutting across many disciplines, which seeks to control storm water effectively by allowing it to permeate, be cleansed and be stored naturally by the urban environment. This would entail Low-Impact Development techniques, such as permeable pavements, green roofs, and shallow storage facilities.

Drainage assets and ecological systems like waterways would also need to be enhanced. In this way, issues like flooding, water pollution, river restoration, and urban heat reduction can be tackled simultaneously. In Australia, there is also heightened awareness that with more frequent floods due to climate change, utilities should look after storm water as part of a total urban water environment.

Mr Ma Weizhong, Director of Water Resources, Shanghai Water Authority, China

In addition, the community has a major role in managing the water cycle well, especially by reducing water consumption. Transparent engagement policies can help the public to understand how water management relates to wider agendas like health and climate change. Hence, utilities should ensure greater communications and alignment amongst various water stakeholders. Some methods include online channels for citizens to participate in water management with feedback, and managing social media to disseminate reliable messages quickly. As part of its public engagement strategies, Melbourne Water is opening up some of its facilities to develop more public recreational spaces. Through demonstrating that their services contribute to improved cities and lifestyles, utilities can create shared value with stakeholders.

Moreover, utilities need effective community engagement to communicate the importance of water-pricing. Rightpricing water is a crucial way to ensure that the community understands its scarcity, and respects its environmental, financial, and social value. It also helps utilities to achieve sustainable cost recovery, and thus maintain an affordable and safe water supply and wastewater services for their customers. Consumers value good service and are willing to pay more for it. Where more equitable approaches are essential, water authorities could consider targeted subsidies for the poor.

DRIVING ACTION THROUGH GOVERNANCE Where appropriate, we should also streamline water governance structures, so that these will facilitate circular water management. This involves clarifying responsibilities at both the national and state government levels, underpinned by strong leadership and political will. For example, while the Netherlands has a highly fragmented water sector, Dutch water management is inclusive and collaborative, through means like benchmarking.

Benchmarking ensures that national standards for water quality, flood risk management and wastewater, are implemented by stakeholders like regional water authorities, drinking water utilities, and municipalities.

Public-private partnerships can also help improve sustainable water management. For example, in Saudi Arabia, population growth will further tax the country’s water supply, which depends heavily on desalination.

The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) is thus planning to increase private-sector involvement and privatise its production facilities, to raise the quality and reduce the production costs of desalinated water. This could boost cost recovery rates and reduce dependence on state funding. A desalination park is being established, where firms and universities can conduct R&D, focusing on energy reduction, and improving efficiency and quality.

BUILDING CUTTING-EDGE CAPABILITIES HE Henk Ovink, Special Envoy for International Water Affairs, the Netherlands

Given that circular water management is a demanding task, utilities must continuously invest in their manpower pipelines to implement it. This would help them to attract excellent management, as well as sufficient scientific and engineering expertise. Furthermore, they must stay ahead of technological developments, so they can update their operations and services where necessary. Utilities should also provide opportunities for their staff to learn about best practices from the wider water industry, such as through overseas conferences.

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF SPOTLIGHT DISCUSSIONS:

CUTTING LOSSES – IMPROVING NETWORK PERFORMANCE

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n the face of growing water scarcity and ageing infrastructure, there is a constant need to improve the operations and management of the water distribution system, especially in reducing non-revenue water (NRW).

This ensures that service standards are maintained and that the water supply system is run cost-effectively. NRW management necessitates a combination of technological innovation, internal organisational reform, sustainable financing for asset renewal, and community engagement.

TOWARDS AN OPTIMUM NON-REVENUE WATER (NRW) RATE While water utilities should strive towards achieving an NRW target of below 10%, the optimum level of NRW would depend on several factors, such as water resources stress, financial considerations, and economic level of leakage.

What usually matters is the amount of cash losses arising from the utility’s NRW rate. Over-investment in driving down NRW, which could involve more costly methods, could result in diminishing economic returns. Hence, most utilities agree that 6-7% is an ideal target to aim for.

A remarkable instance of NRW management is the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority’s reduction of its NRW from 72% to 5.85% in less than 20 years. Key ingredients in this success story included training and incentives for leakage control teams to perform effectively; updating the customer base and metering all of the service connections to account correctly for water usage; standardising the service connection design; replacing old pipes with strong

Mr Csaba Haranghy, Chief Executive Officer, Budapest Waterworks, Hungary

Dr Konstantinos Vafeiadis, Executive Member of Board, Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Greece

[From L-R] Mr Charles Kiely, Assistant General Manager of Customer Care and Operations, DC Water, the USA; Mr Steve Leung, Senior Vice President and President, Emerging Markets, Xylem Inc.

and durable ones, including state-of-the-art material; and stamping out illegal connections through heavy penalties.

NEXT-GENERATION SOLUTIONS FOR TOTAL NETWORK MANAGEMENT

Tokyo Waterworks’ world-record NRW rate of 3.2% is also inspiring. This was attained through switching from lead to stainless steel for service pipes which were more durable, and vigilant efforts to anticipate and repair leaks early. The utility even conducts night-time patrols to detect leaks, as this is increasingly difficult in the day-time with increased noise levels in urban areas. Experienced colleagues also provide staff training to use leakage sound detection bars and electronic leakage detectors. Finally, Tokyo Waterworks also made its water supply system more resilient to earthquakes by using distribution pipes with reinforced joints.

Indeed, utilities should look into and invest in the next generation of urban water technologies – sensors, smart water grid, and the Internet of Things, for instance – to reduce NRW. For instance, to augment its portfolio of smart water solutions, Xylem has acquired Visenti, a Singapore-based technology company, which specialises in game-changing techniques like acoustic and pressure monitoring for leak detection. More platforms that facilitate integration and analysis of data will also help. If utilities can undertake predictive analysis and make more informed decisions, they can implement corrective measures before a problem erupts, cut NRW-associated costs, and build customer confidence.

That said, using smart water technologies also brings about cybersecurity issues, which utilities need to resolve.

Technology companies can help by developing reliable and proven solutions which address utilities’ concerns like data protection. They can also adapt best practices from other industries, such as banking, that have much more extensive experience in cybersecurity.

EARNING STAKEHOLDER BUY-IN TO FINANCE IMPROVEMENTS Utilities must also educate their stakeholders about the need to finance improvements in NRW management, including the associated costs and impact on water charges which would help ensure financial viability. This is seen in DC Water’s implementation of a system replacement fee to upgrade its ageing water network infrastructure. In this case, its larger customers (such as hotels, malls and office buildings) paid higher water charges, thus lightening the financial burden for residential users. However, the utility did not encounter much resistance, thanks to its intensive communication efforts, which harnessed both traditional means (e.g. town hall meetings) and non-traditional ones (e.g. social media). Apart from its ratepayers, DC Water also engaged other stakeholders such as federal and local governments, to highlight that ageing infrastructure is a global issue which requires urgent attention and funding.

“Territory managers” in the Philippines is another interesting approach of communicating effectively. Each manager is tasked to provide regular and consistent communication between utilities, the grassroots level and community leaders in a specific water connection area.

Such representatives, who understand their customers, could help to explain NRW and water charges.

HE Ek Sonn Chan, Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry and Handicraft, Cambodia

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Mr Nobuyuki Kawagoe, Director, Water Supply Section, East Area Second Branch Office, Bureau of Waterworks, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Japan

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF SPOTLIGHT DISCUSSIONS:

ENTIRELY WHOLESOME – GUARANTEEING QUALITY IN EVERY DROP

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rinking water quality is of utmost importance for a utility, as this directly affects public health.

People should be able to trust the water that utilities provide. In this light, a multi-pronged approach is key to achieving high water quality standards. This involves developing comprehensive monitoring programmes, supported by independent regulation, accountability systems, enforcement mechanisms, and effective public communication.

SECURING THE WHOLE WATER SAFETY VALUE CHAIN Resilient water quality management must firstly include multiple checks and barriers at source, during treatment and transport to tap. In Singapore, PUB monitors and tests all the water that it manages for over 300 different water quality parameters, exceeding the requirements stipulated under any international drinking water regulation. Over 400,000 tests are conducted annually on tap water, desalinated water, NEWater, and their sources – rainwater, seawater, reservoir water, and treated used water. In the Netherlands, PWN has established several defence mechanisms, such as reverse osmosis (RO) and UV hydrogen peroxide, to safeguard the water quality of the River Rhine, bordered by numerous chemical facilities. For instance, if RO fails, UV hydrogen peroxide could eliminate stubborn contaminants such as Pyrazole.

[From L-R] Dr Lim Mong Hoo, Chief Specialist (Water Quality), PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency; Mr Geoff Aitkenhead, Chairman, Scottish Water International, Scotland

THE RISK-BASED MIND-SET: ALWAYS PREPARED Through constant vigilance in water quality surveillance, utilities would be able to spot emerging trends and changes early. Moreover, utility boards and regulators must periodically review the adequacy of such measures to uphold water quality. This includes ensuring that equipment such as distribution systems, sensors and laboratory supports are well-maintained and remain effective. It is thus also important to take a system-wide view of risks, including customer service, asset criticality, and finance.

Future risks include ageing of pipeline infrastructures; access to capital to maintain such infrastructure; and climate change, which could affect the quality of raw water. Risk assessment, including modelling, should also be undertaken for certain initiatives such as network operations, for utilities to understand the consequences involved.

With risk-based measures to ensure water quality, utilities would be better placed to practise advanced planning to avert potential hazards, such as outbreaks of microcontaminants in water systems. This would also entail developing a capex plan with prioritised projects to address critical water quality issues, such as infrastructure restoration, as in Manila Water’s case. In fact, proactive approaches to water quality management are vital to boosting the public’s sense of security. In Korea, K-water raised the average direct tap water drinking rate from around 5% to 76.3%, through its “total care service” for water quality. This involved tap water quality testing, in-pipe inspection services, and promotion activities to increase customer confidence in tap water.

Dr Joan B. Rose, Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research, Michigan State University, the USA

Mr Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manila Water, the Philippines

poorly-maintained service lines into the water supply. The relevant authorities were soon alerted to alarming issues, such as complaints regarding water quality (e.g. smell, taste, discoloration); scientific tests confirming shockingly high levels of lead in the water; and a spike in cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Instead of notifying the public about this health emergency, the authorities downplayed the community’s concerns, claiming that the water was safe for drinking, and delayed taking corrective measures. Flint reverted to Lake Huron for its water supply only in October 2015, amid public outrage at the irreparable damage already done, including 10 deaths from Legionnaires’ disease, and elevated blood lead levels in infants and children.

While it is possible to rebuild public confidence after water quality compromises, efforts to do so must be sustained.

Following Sydney Water’s water crisis in 1998, which involved contamination of its water supply by Cryptosporidium and Giardia , the utility instituted wide-ranging improvements.

These included strengthening its water quality system with constant monitoring of its critical control points, pursuing world-class technology, and enhancing its stakeholder engagement. The latter entails using a contact centre to obtain feedback and provide updates on Sydney Water’s work (e.g. water quality conditions and maintenance works), and monitoring its online communication channels (e.g. social media networks) to identify emerging issues.

Technologies like detection methodology, early warning systems, and advanced treatment technologies can advance water quality management. Hence, utilities should invest not only in such solutions, but also develop expertise in these areas. This includes the capability to make quick scientific interpretations of the concentrations of detected contaminants, and respond appropriately. Furthermore, utilities must ensure that their operators are sufficiently trained to run more sophisticated water treatment plants.

TIMELY COMMUNICATION FOR CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Mr Jonathan Clement, Chief Executive Officer, PWNT

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However, despite the best prevention efforts, water quality incidents might still occur. Consequently, utilities must communicate immediately and effectively with the public, to minimise the impact of contamination. The Flint water crisis illustrated the dire ramifications of not doing so. In April 2014, Flint switched its water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River, which had more corrosive water that was not properly treated. This led to leaching of lead from

[From L-R] Dr Joan B. Rose, Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research, Michigan State University, the USA; Mr Jonathan Clement, Chief Executive Officer, PWNT; Mr Bernie Sheridan, Manager Treatment, Sydney Water, Australia; Dr Lim Mong Hoo, Chief Specialist (Water Quality), PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency; Mr Geoff Aitkenhead, Chairman, Scottish Water International, Scotland; Mr Kim Seong-Han, Vice President and Chief Research Officer, K-water, South Korea

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF SPOTLIGHT DISCUSSIONS:

NEVER LOST – RECYCLING AND REUSING WASTEWATER

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ith growing water scarcity, it is increasingly wasteful to use water only once. This is particularly so for desalinated water, which is relatively expensive to produce, compared to conventional means. Hence, more water utilities should look into boosting their water supplies through the “multiplier effect of recycling”, a more costeffective process where each drop of water can be reused endlessly. They should also note that successful reuse schemes demand long-term commitment, with three main ingredients: adequate resources, regulation, and community support. For greater water sustainability, these must be accompanied by water demand management.

WEATHER-PROOFING OUR WATER SUPPLY Water recycling can not only augment, but also render a country’s water supply more climate-resilient and versatile.

For example, Namibia implemented potable water reuse in the 1960s, as groundwater and surface water, the country’s main sources of water supply, could not cope with increasing demand. This measure was instrumental in enabling Namibia to tide over the recent drought. In Singapore, PUB has overcome its water vulnerability through NEWater – ultra-clean, high-grade reclaimed water produced mainly for industrial and commercial purposes.

For instance, wafer fabrication industries require standards even more stringent than those for drinking water. NEWater is also used to top up Singapore’s reservoirs during dry

Ms Sue Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Water Corporation of Western Australia

periods. NEWater can satisfy 40% of Singapore’s current water demand, and is projected to meet up to 55% of future water demand by 2060.

THE NEED FOR RESOURCES AND REGULATION However, countries must ensure that they are fully prepared before executing water reuse programmes. This means investing in fundamentals, including appropriate sewerage infrastructure and treatment technology, accredited laboratory capacity, and staff capabilities.

Indeed, successful implementation of water reuse requires many years of advanced planning and pilot studies,

followed by continuous monitoring and management after implementation. This helps to identify research and knowledge gaps to be addressed, so that the best technologies can be developed, especially to swiftly locate and remove pathogens and chemicals of (potential) concern. For instance, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) uses UV advanced oxidation processes to remove contaminants, which the conventional reverse osmosis (RO) process in water reuse might not be fully able to. Utilities must also practise operational monitoring, to ensure that processes designed for water reuse are functioning effectively, and pre-empt problems. For example, PUB employs over 40 Volatile Organic Carbon sensors in its used water network, to detect illegal discharges.

While the tools and expertise are available for optimal reuse of water, these must be aligned with strict regulations for using recycled water for drinking purposes. Regulators should thus understand the issues surrounding water reuse.

For instance, the Water Corporation of Western Australia worked with regulators to develop a regulatory framework for indirect potable recycling through groundwater replenishment. Utilities should also implement compliance monitoring, which ensures that targets for water reuse are realistic; within new guidelines, standards or health-based targets (such as those by the World Health Organization); and are periodically reviewed.

OVERCOMING PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS Furthermore, as community engagement is critical in the implementation of water reuse, political and utility leaders must assure the public that they have the necessary safeguards for water reuse. For instance, in Western Australia, the Water Corporation established a visitor centre to educate the public about its water reuse efforts.

The utility focused on engaging schoolchildren’s mothers, because research showed that they cared most about the future. In Namibia, customer satisfaction monitoring, regarding the quality of reclaimed water, is done through several ways. These include a mobile application, whereby customers are asked questions and can give feedback through a rating system. Additionally, public meetings, attended by politicians representing people’s interests, are held for consumers to discuss their districts’ water quality.

[From L-R] Mr Harry Seah, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency; Mr Pierre van Rensburg, Strategic Executive, Department of Infrastructure, Water and Technical Services, City of Windhoek, Namibia; Mr Peter Nicol, Senior Vice President and Global Director - Water, CH2M; Mr Michael P. Wehner, Assistant General Manager, Orange County Water District, the USA; Mr Bruce Gordon, Coordinator of Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health, World Health Organization

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Mr Pierre van Rensburg, Strategic Executive, Department of Infrastructure, Water and Technical Services, City of Windhoek, Namibia

Moreover, utilities should explore the marketing or branding of reclaimed water, to increase public acceptance. This involves understanding the local marketplace and using appropriate terms to promote positive perceptions about water reuse. Terms such as “water purification” and “water for health” help to highlight that reclaimed water can be an upcycled product. Utilities could also consider obtaining

Mr Harry Seah, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency

approval to bottle their reclaimed water for potable sampling.

For instance, this facilitated the OCWD’s distribution of its reclaimed water at public events, for demonstration and educational purposes, further increasing stakeholder support for its efforts in potable reuse.

REDUCING WATER USE: THE OTHER SIDE OF WATER REUSE To reduce the amount of water to be recycled, including the associated costs, countries should look into enhancing their water demand management. This should be pursued consistently, because consumption behaviour tends to change significantly only in the long run. Utilities should thus develop approaches to encourage water conservation by the public. Furthermore, industries must also step up their efforts to lower their water demand, as manufacturing processes can be water-intensive. For instance, CH2M works with multinationals to improve their water efficiency, especially for popular items which require more water to produce, such as tapered beer cans. Output can thus be increased, whilst minimising the strain on municipal or inhouse water sources.

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CO-LOCATED EVENTS:

CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION

KEEPING UP THE FLOW OF KNOWLEDGE AND COLLABORATION

SIWW WATER LEADERS SUMMIT 2018 – 8 TO 10 JULY

PUB’S SIGNING OF MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH SAUDI ARABIA’S SALINE WATER CONVERSION CORPORATION (SWCC) AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S WATER CORPORATION

At the SIWW Water Leaders Summit (WLS) 2018, the key issues related to improving water utility performance will be further examined with a wider audience. Topics will delve deeper into emerging areas of interest, such as cybersecurity and water reuse and recycling. A marquee and by-invitation-only event, the WLS aims to shape the

These MOUs aim to deepen collaborations for knowledge sharing and capability building in water supply, R&D and innovation. Under the PUB-SWCC MOU, this would include areas such as desalination technology, energy reduction, and leak detection. The PUB-Water Corporation MOU would also cover aspects such as climate change adaptation, wastewater management, and smart water technologies.

global water agenda by providing the latest policy, business and technological insights into tackling our shared water challenges. To this end, the event will convene top water leaders for strategic discussions, enriched by perspectives from government, utilities, international organisations, industry and academia.

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL WATER WEEK (SIWW)

[From L-R] HE Eng. Ali Al-Hazmi, Governor, Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Saudi Arabia; Mr Peter Joo Hee Ng, Chief Executive, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency

[From L-R] Ms Sue Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Water Corporation of Western Australia; Mr Peter Joo Hee Ng, Chief Executive, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency

LAUNCH OF KURITA R&D ASIA Backed by PUB and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), this will be Kurita’s first R&D centre in Asia outside Japan when it opens in January 2018 at Clean Tech Park in Singapore. The centre will focus on water reuse and recycling technologies, primarily to supply water

to Singapore’s manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the centre will explore collaboration with the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute in the areas of membrane technology, water treatment chemicals and water recycling.

The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) is the global platform to share and co-create innovative water solutions. The biennial event gathers stakeholders from the global water industry to share best practices, showcase latest technologies and tap business opportunities. SIWW is part of the strategic programme of the Singapore Government to grow the water industry and develop water technologies.

on critical issues and discussions in greater depth, where the outcomes will shape the programme and content for SIWW.

Held in between the main SIWW editions, the SIWW Spotlight series are exclusive by-invitation events to continue the dialogue from SIWW and foster ongoing exchanges on pressing challenges faced by the water industry worldwide. This meeting of minds focuses

The 8th Singapore International Water Week will be held in conjunction with the 6th World Cities Summit and the 4th CleanEnviro Summit Singapore, from 8 – 12 July 2018 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

These events are organised by Singapore International Water Week Pte Ltd, a company set up by Singapore’s Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency.

[From L-R] Mr Hideyuki Komori, Manager, R&D Division, Kurita Water Industries Ltd; Mr Goh Chee Kiong, then-Executive Director, EDB; Mr Tatsushi Kuramae, Managing Director, Kurita R&D Asia Pte Ltd and Executive Officer, Core Technology Research Group, R&D Division, Kurita Water Industries Ltd; Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Assistant Managing Director, EDB; Mr Koichi Iioka, Senior Managing Director and Representative Director, General Manager of Global Business Division, Kurita Water Industries Ltd; Mr Peter Joo Hee Ng, Chief Executive, PUB; Mr Harry Seah, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, PUB; Mr Hiroyuki Takenaka, Managing Director, Kurita (Singapore) Pte Ltd

LAUNCH OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION’S (WHO’S) “POTABLE REUSE: GUIDANCE FOR PRODUCING SAFE DRINKING-WATER” Coordinated and managed by the WHO and PUB, with contributions from 14 countries, this document provides guidance to drinking-water suppliers and regulators on how to apply appropriate management systems to produce safe drinking-water from municipal wastewater.

It addresses issues unique to potable reuse schemes including wastewater quality, types of treatment processes, additional monitoring requirements and public acceptance.

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For general enquiries on SIWW Mr Bernard Tan Managing Director Tel: +65 6731 3862 Email: info@siww.com.sg

[From L-R] Mr Bruce Gordon, Coordinator of Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health, World Health Organization; Mr Peter Joo Hee Ng, Chief Executive, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency

For exhibition sales and sponsorship opportunities Ms Christine Sim Assistant Sales Manager Tel: +65 9106 3212 Email: christinesim@siww.com.sg 15