Smart Water Magazine Print Edition 26

REUSE IS THE FUTURE

It’s time to scale it up

Jon Freedman President, International Desalination and Reuse Association

(IDRA)

BUILDING THE FUTURE OF WATER FROM

THE GROUND UP

Dear readers,

Water management starts where few look: beneath our cities, in the pipelines that carry our wastewater, and in the treatment plants that return this transformed resource to nature. This edition of Smart Water Magazine Print Edition spotlights that essential, often overlooked infrastructure: sanitation, wastewater treatment, and reuse.

In our cover interview, Jon Freedman, President of the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA), makes a powerful case for reuse as a foundational pillar of the circular water economy. Reuse, he argues, turns treated wastewater into a secure, local and sustainable resource. Desalination plays a vital supporting role, especially when integrated into broader reuse frameworks and powered by renewables.

This vision finds strong institutional support in Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. In our feature on the new European Water Resilience Strategy, she sets out the EU’s ambition to act decisively in the face of growing water stress. Her message is clear: resilience requires shared political, financial, and technological commitment. Roberta Maffettone, from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, outlines in an

exclusive interview how the EU’s Water Reuse Regulation is taking shape across Member States. While Blanca Antizar, Director at Isle Utilities, brings the innovation ecosystem into focus, showcasing how initiatives like the Trial Reservoir and Water Action Platform are helping scale real-world reuse.

We’re not just talking about potential—we’re seeing real transformation in our sector: biofactories operated by ACCIONA that generate energy and recover nutrients from wastewater; the full reconversion of the Shuaibah 3 desalination plant by the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), now operating on reverse osmosis; real-time pressure monitoring from Badger Meter deployed in rising mains across the UK; and ZwitterCo’s breakthrough membranes tackling challenging industrial reuse scenarios.

PUBLISHER

iAgua Conocimiento, S.L.

Calle López de Hoyos, 190 Entlo. B 28002 Madrid info@iagua.es

MANAGEMENT

Alejandro Maceira Rozados

David Escobar Gutiérrez

EDITOR

This issue also explores decentralised reuse, PFAS mitigation, sludge treatment technologies from HRS, and how carbon and energy efficiency are being embedded into the entire water cycle. We also feature the people and projects making it happen: from ACCIONA’s large-scale O&M contracts in Brazil and Spain, to Molecor’s durable OPVC infrastructure supporting India’s drinking water and irrigation networks.

Smart Water Magazine exists to connect these actors, share their breakthroughs, and help accelerate the transition to smarter, more resilient water systems. Thank you for being part of this community and for helping lead a transformation where reuse defines not only how we treat water, but how we value it.

AlejAndro MAceirA - Director SWM D @amaceira - E @AlejandroMaceiraiAgua

Alejandro Maceira Rozados

EDITORIAL STAFF

Olivia Tempest Prados

Cristina Novo Pérez

Laura Fernández Zarza

Blanca María Álvarez Román

ADVERTISING

Javier de los Reyes

ART AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

Pablo González-Cebrián

Esther Martín Muñoz

PHOTOGRAPHY

Pablo González-Cebrián Fotos iAgua

FEATURE SMART ALERTS FOR SEWER BURSTS

Pg. 24 Badger Meter tech helps Anglian Water detect pressure anomalies in rising mains, cutting energy use and pollution risk.

SCALING SOLUTIONS FOR SCARCITY

Pg. 28 Jon Freedman, President of IDRA, discusses the urgent need to scale desalination and reuse to address global water scarcity.

FEATURE

BUILDING INDIA’S WATER RESILIENCE

Pg. 14 Molecor’s OPVC pipes and fittings modernize India’s infrastructure to support Jal Jeevan Mission and reduce water loss.

DRIVING CIRCULAR WATER CHANGE

Pg. 58 Blanca Antizar of Isle Utilities highlights reuse tech, skilled professionals, and collaboration shaping the water sector’s future.

ENERGY MOVES US

Our patented and proven heat transfer technologies, combined with our knowledge make it possible to offer best in class solutions environmental applications such as wastewater, digestate, and sludge.

Using HRS’ corrugated tube technology, both heat transfer and efficiency are increased over standard smooth and dimple tube heat exchangers. In addition, potential product fouling is minimised.

Digester Heating

Digestate/Sludge Pasteurisation

Digestate Concentration and Evaporation

Biogas Dehumidification Systems

Turnkey Systems

Energy Recovery

CONTENTS NUMBER 26 - JUN 2025

FEATURE CHOOSING EFFICIENT EVAPORATION

Pg. 42 HRS explains how to select the best evaporation method for sludge and digestate, balancing energy use, costs, and performance.

TURNING INSIGHT INTO ACCESS

Pg. 78 Jim Lauria shares how Citylitics helps Mazzei anticipate utility needs, shape specs, and win with data-driven engagement. OPINION

SPEAKERS' CORNER SPEAKING UP FOR PUBLIC WATER

Pg. 96 Felicia Heaton shares how Portland’s utility uses communitydriven storytelling to build trust, secure funding, and boost visibility.

INTERVIEW

EUROPE'S PATH TO WATER SECURITY

Pg. 46 Jessika Roswall outlines how the EU strategy puts efficiency, investment, and implementation at the centre of water resilience.

FEATURE

SMART FILTRATION, REAL IMPACT

Pg. 63 ZwitterCo’s membrane technology delivers breakthrough anti-fouling performance, boosting reuse for industrial water resilience.

OPINION

SUSTAINABLE DESALINATION PATH

Pg. 84 IDE Technologies’ Alon Tavor outlines how carbon cuts, energy reuse, and LCA tools are redefining desal’s sustainability model.

INTERVIEW BUILDING RESILIENCE WITH DATA

Pg. 68 Donnie Ginn of Black & Veatch shares insights on digital tools, ageing systems, and how utilities can face growing climate threats.

OPINION

SHIFTING FROM CRISIS TO ACTION

Pg. 40 Walid Khoury of Desalytics urges a new water dialogue—one led by solutions, industry innovation, and models that already work.

RETHINKING NETWORK OPERATIONS

Pg. 18 Raúl González of ACCIONA shares how PPPs, circularity, and data-led O&M are transforming water infrastructure worldwide. INTERVIEW

FEATURE

SCALING UP ADVANCED REUSE

Pg. 100 Orange County’s GWRS is a global benchmark in potable reuse, blending tech, governance, and trust to ensure climate-safe supply.

OPINION

WATER POSITIVE BY DESIGN

Pg. 52 Alejandro Sturniolo argues for a shift to Water Positive systems—where regeneration, metrics, and governance drive sustainability.

PERSON OF THE MONTH

A GLOBAL VOICE IN FLOOD SCIENCE

Pg. 112 Stockholm Water Prize laureate Prof. Günter Blöschl’s climate-linked hydrology work helps communities plan for flood resilience.

CONTENTS NUMBER 26 - JUN 2025

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE KEY PLAYERS OF THE

#SWM26

WATER INFRAESTRUCTURE

CLEAN WATER FOR ARKLOW’S FUTURE

Pg. 74 Ireland’s new Arklow facility ends raw sewage discharge while blending design, delivery, and sustainability standards.

INTERVIEW

WATER REUSE IN THE EU TOOLKIT

Pg. 80 Roberta Maffettone explains how the JRC supports EU-wide uptake of reuse with science-based risk tools and localised strategies.

INTERVIEW

MANAGING PFAS RISK AND LIABILITY

Pg. 88 Elizabeth Denly of TRC explains how tailored assessments, sampling plans, and in-situ remediation tech tackle PFAS challenges.

FEATURE REVAMPING DESALINATION SYSTEMS

Pg. 54 SWPC’s Shuaibah 3 upgrade shows how RO and solar power slash costs and emissions while securing Saudi Arabia’s water future.

EMBEDDING RESILIENCE IN POLICY

Pg. 76 Blanca Antizar of Isle Utilities urges stronger governance, tech adoption, and investment to secure Europe’s water future. OPINION

FEATURE

CANADA CONFRONTS

PFAS HEAD-ON

Pg. 106 A new class-based PFAS policy, updated water quality goals, and growing monitoring efforts shape Canada’s evolving risk strategy.

WATER SECTOR

APPOINT

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.

DANIEL TUGUES

Veolia has appointed Daniel Tugues as its new Country Director for Spain. With this strategic move, the company reinforces its commitment to Spain as a key market in its global roadmap for ecological transformation, integrating its operations in water, energy, and waste management through a unified strategy.

In his new role, Tugues will oversee all of Veolia’s operations in Spain, including the management of the mixed-ownership utility Aigües de Barcelona, one of the group’s most emblematic partnerships. He will be tasked with improving operational performance while promoting sustainable and innovative solutions under the One Veolia model and the GreenUp strategic program.

According to Estelle Brachlianoff, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia, Spain is at the heart of the company’s vision for ecological transformation. She explained that the One Veolia approach and the GreenUp program bring together the group's full expertise to deliver high-impact solutions that meet growing client demands while supporting community resilience. She added that Daniel Tugues’s experience as CEO of Aguas Andinas, as well as his leadership and strategic vision, will be essential to advancing Veolia’s ambitions in Spain, particularly through long-standing collaborations such as that with Aigües de Barcelona.

Tugues is an accomplished executive with more than 20 years of experience in the environmental services and utilities sector, beginning his career at Agbar in Spain in 2004 as a business analyst.

Daniel Tugues said that taking on this strategic role in his home country is both an honour and a major responsibility

DANIEL TUGUES APPOINTED COUNTRY DIRECTOR OF VEOLIA IN SPAIN TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

APPOINTMENTS _

The Board of Directors of GF has nominated Thomas Hary as the new President of GF Piping Systems. He succeeds Andreas Müller, who has assumed the position on an interim basis alongside his role as CEO of GF.

Thomas Hary, a German citizen, has held various positions at GF since joining the company in 2005. He began his career in strategic planning at GF Machining Solutions and moved to GF Piping Systems in 2011. In early 2014, he was appointed CFO of the Business Unit Americas. In 2016, he transitioned to GF Casting Solutions as CFO. Since 1 October 2019, he has served as CFO of GF Piping Systems until December 2023. He then took over as Head of the Business Unit Industry/Utility at GF Piping Systems. Thomas Hary holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Mannheim (Germany).

With a career spanning three GF divisions and deep experience across a wide range of business segments, Thomas Hary brings broad market and product expertise to his new role. He possesses an in-depth understanding of GF Piping Systems, built through many years in operational and key financial leadership roles.

Thomas Hary will join the GF Executive Committee led by CEO Andreas Müller. The Executive Committee also includes CFO Mads Joergensen and the Division Presidents Michael Rauterkus (GF Building Flow Solutions), Carlos Vasto (GF Casting Solutions, currently under strategic review), and Ivan Filisetti (GF Machining Solutions, currently in the divestment process).

Thomas Hary has played a pivotal role in strengthening global cooperation across GF’s international and local organisations

THOMAS HARY

THOMAS HARY APPOINTED NEW PRESIDENT OF GF PIPING SYSTEMS

JULIE CERQUEIRA

JULIE CERQUEIRA NAMED CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER OF NRDC

Former Senior Official in Biden-Harris Administration and Executive Director of U.S. Climate Alliance joins NRDC’s leadership team

RABIA CHAUDHRY

RABIA CHAUDHRY APPOINTED FIRST DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLY RESILIENCE AT DC WATER

In addition to her positions at the EPA, Dr Chaudhry has worked on large scale, global water infrastructure programs

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) has named Julie Cerqueira as Chief Program Officer. As a member of NRDC’s leadership team, Cerqueira will help drive strategy, fundraise and manage the organisation’s key programs: climate and energy, environmental health, nature, green finance and international.

“Right now, we are called upon to defend everything the environmental movement has fought for over the last few generations—and to rebuild a future we can all feel more hopeful and excited about,” said Cerqueira. “At a moment where so much is being destroyed at a pace that’s hard to keep up with—I can’t think of a better place to be.”

Cerqueira comes to NRDC after serving as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy during the Biden-Harris Administration. Prior to that, she was the inaugural Executive Director of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of governors committed to addressing the climate crisis.

Cerqueira has served in three presidential administrations, including as a Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy for Climate Change at the U.S. Department of State. Before her work in the federal government, Cerqueira worked with emerging markets to design climate policies at the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP). She also advised U.S. companies to promote policy reforms while at the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia and implemented community-based conservation projects as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines.

DC Water’s efforts to build a more resilient water supply took a significant step forward with the announcement of Rabia Chaudhry, PhD, PE, as the first Director of Water Supply Resilience. The new position reflects the importance and urgency surrounding the Authority’s reliance on the Potomac River as its only water source and the need for alternatives.

At DC Water, Dr Chaudhry will lead the resilience strategy, exploring additional resources to supply water and initiating the long-term implementation. This work is essential to ensure reliable drinking water for more than 700,000 District residents, commercial office buildings, federal and local agencies, and millions of visitors to the nation’s capital each year.

“Dr Chaudhry understands the complexity of water supply resilience. There is no ‘silver bullet’ to address the unique challenge facing the nation’s capital,” said DC Water Chief Executive Officer and GM David Gadis. “DC Water is crucial to the federal government’s ability to operate without disruption and ensure safe, reliable water to the White House, Congress, and various agencies. A resilient water supply is not only important to our customers, but to the entire country.”

Dr Chaudhry’s experience includes deep technical knowledge, financial expertise in water infrastructure, and familiarity working with federal agencies that will be essential to the role. She will lead the Authority’s strategy to explore all options to secure a more resilient water supply.

The Water Forum has appointed Ashlee Casey, PE, as its new Executive Director, marking a pivotal moment as the organisation finalises its next-generation water management agreement, Water Forum 2050.

The Water Forum is a regional collaboration of more than 40 water providers, environmental groups, business leaders, and local governments working to ensure reliable water supplies and a healthy Lower American River - a key tributary of the Sacramento River in Northern California.

With more than a decade of experience tackling California’s most complex water challenges, Casey brings deep technical expertise and a collaborative leadership style to her new role. She joined the Water Forum in 2021 as a water resources engineer and has since played a key role in managing surface and groundwater reliability and advancing long-term sustainability projects.

“Throughout her time with the Water Forum, Ashlee has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing collaborative water management solutions,” said Pravani Vandeyar, Director of the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities. “Her leadership style reflects the Water Forum’s values—bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to find common ground on complex water and environmental issues.”

Prior to joining the Forum, Casey worked on regional and statewide initiatives related to groundwater sustainability, flood infrastructure, drought planning, and agricultural water use.

Aiman Al Mudaifer has been officially appointed as the permanent chief executive officer of Neom, Saudi Arabia’s high-profile US$500 billion development project. His appointment marks the culmination of a leadership transition that began in November 2024, when he stepped in as acting CEO following the departure of Nadhmi Al Nasr.

Al Mudaifer brings a diverse professional background, having served at the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s $925 billion sovereign wealth fund, since 2018. His expertise spans petroleum engineering, finance, and real estate. His promotion is seen as a potential signal of strategic recalibration for Neom, one of five major "giga-projects" under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic transformation agenda.

The leadership change arrives at a pivotal moment for Neom. Al Nasr’s exit was preceded by a wave of critical media reports, including allegations of worker mistreatment and delays in project milestones. At the time, Neom described the leadership shift as ushering in “a new phase of delivery”, a statement that analysts interpreted as a cue for a more pragmatic and possibly scaled-back operational approach.

Despite recent adjustments, Neom remains a central element of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s strategy to diversify the Saudi economy. The Crown Prince has directed substantial investment through the PIF to support megaprojects aimed at reducing the Kingdom’s reliance on hydrocarbons.

ASHLEE CASEY

ASHLEE CASEY APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WATER FORUM

As Executive Director, Casey will guide regional water policy, oversee planning initiatives, and serve as the lead liaison

AIMAN AL MUDAIFER

AIMAN AL MUDAIFER NAMED PERMANENT CEO OF SAUDI ARABIA’S NEOM PROJECT

Evolving priorities and economic factors are reshaping both the scale and timeline of Neom’s ambitious plans

India is at a turning point in water management. The country, which accounts for almost 18% of the world's population, only has 4% of the world's water resources. This is compounded by factors such as rapid urban growth, pollution of surface and groundwater sources, seasonal shortages and ageing water infrastructures.

In this context, innovative technological solutions such as TOM® pipes and ecoFITTOM® Oriented PVC (OPVC) fittings, developed by Molecor, are increasingly gaining prominence as they become the most efficient and sustainable alternative to improve water treatment and distribution systems throughout the country.

Water infrastructure on the edge

According to NITI Aayog, the Indian government's policy think tank, nearly 600 million people face high or extreme water scarcity. In addition, about 70% of available water is polluted, causing health problems and limiting agricultural and industrial use. Water losses during distribution are also alarming, especially in cities with old or poorly maintained networks.

The need to modernise this infrastructure is not only urgent: it is critical. And this is where OPVC offers distinct advantages that respond to the country's water needs.

What is OPVC and why is it an ideal solution for India?

OPVC is the result of rearranging the amorphous structure of PVC-U into a layered structure, providing unbeatable

India is at a turning point in water management; with almost 18% of the world's population, only has 4% of the world's water resources

INDIA FACING THE WATER CHALLENGE: MOLECOR'S TOM® OPVC PIPES AND ECOFITTOM®

To meet this challenge, innovative solutions that stand out from traditional options and contribute to improving the quality of life of its inhabitants are essential.

mechanical properties in plastic pipes. Through a process of molecular orientation, the material is restructured to obtain a pipe with higher strength, greater hydraulic efficiency, lower weight and superior durability.

Molecor manufactures its TOM® pipes in the highest PVC Molecular Orientation Class, Class 500, which provides the pipe with the best properties that the material can achieve.

In this way, the pipe obtains mechanical properties typical of metallic materials and reaches 100 years of useful life. These qualities make it an optimal material for drinking water networks, agricultural irrigation, industrial pipelines and recycled water conveyance, all sectors where India needs urgent and sustainable improvements.

A commitment to sustainability, TOM®

This famous pipe has increased its range from its beginnings until now, revolutionising the sector in all five continents with this plastic material. The company's commitment to research and development has achieved the largest diameter in OPVC through the exclusive Molecor technology, DN1,200 mm.

In addition to this diameter, Molecor offers other smaller diameters such as DN1,000 mm, DN800 mm, DN900 mm or DN730 mm, which could supply drinking water to different cities. One of the latest examples, in other applications, of the success of these pipes can be found in Seville, Spain, where TOM® DN1,000 mm pipes were installed for crop irrigation. Today, the company manufactures TOM® pipes from DN90 mm up to

Around 70% of available water in India is polluted, causing health problems and limiting agricultural and industrial use

DN1,200 mm, which means that OPVC can access very different projects where this material could not be installed before.

These pipes are manufactured from PN12,5 bar to PN25 bar to adapt the network in which they are installed to the needs of cities and crops.

TOM® pipes maintain the initial quality of the water until it is consumed, thanks to the properties of OPVC. In other words, Oriented PVC is totally immune to corrosion and chemical substances present in the environment, and, therefore, these pipes and fittings do not need any type of protection or extra coatings like other traditional materials.

In addition, they have a jointing system that guarantees 100% watertightness during operation, optimising the water resources transported by the network in which they are installed.

Thanks to the exclusive design of its socket with an elastic joint inside, all its elements present full watertightness, preventing any type of contaminating substance.

ecoFITTOM®: the piece that completes the system

Innovation does not end in the pipe. One of the most common challenges in

TOM® OPVC pipes play a crucial role in improving water infrastructure, helping to ensure a safe and consistent water supply for communities

The commitment to OPVC is not just a technical decision: it is an investment in resilience, health and sustainable development

hydraulic networks is the connection between elements: when fittings are not at the same technical level as the pipes, they can become weak points. Molecor has solved this problem with ecoFITTOM®, the world's first range of fittings made entirely of OPVC.

These fittings are manufactured from DN110 mm to DN400 in PN16 bar, and they are 100% compatible with any kind of PVC pipes.

This means that both the pipes and their connections have the same mechanical, hydraulic and chemical properties, ensuring a homogeneous, stronger and more efficient network.

Leakage reduction is achieved thanks to a perfect fit and high impact resistance, which contributes to a longer durability of the networks. This avoids critical points due to breakage or material fatigue, ensuring reliable long-term performance. In addition, these systems are fully compatible with international standards and existing installation systems in India.

All this, together with the fact that they are 100% recyclable, reduces their

Oriented PVC is immune to corrosion and chemical substances present in the environment, not needing any type of protection

carbon footprint compared to traditional materials.

A sustainable future starts with an efficient network

The commitment to advanced materials such as OPVC is not just a technical decision: it is an investment in resilience, health and sustainable development. In a country where water is a scarce and vital resource, every litre lost through leaks, breaks, or inefficiencies is a litre that does not reach those who need it.

Integrating high-tech solutions like Molecor's can make all the difference to the success of programmes like Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to bring safe drinking water to every Indian household by 2026. With more robust, secure and durable networks, India will be able to build a water infrastructure ready for the challenges of the present and the future.

TOM® OPVC pipes can play a crucial role in improving water infrastructure, helping to ensure a safe and consistent water supply for communities most in need.

RAÚL GONZÁLEZ

NETWORK OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR AT ACCIONA

“Public-private

partnerships (PPPs) are

a strategic

pillar of ACCIONA’s international expansion in the water sector"

From Europe to Latin America, ACCIONA is rolling out some of the most advanced water network projects in the world— combining digital innovation, sustainable practices, and long-term public-private partnerships. We sit down with Raúl González, Director of Network Operation and Maintenance, to explore what these new contracts reveal about the company’s global strategy and the evolving challenges of urban water management.

ment to proactive, data-driven management of the sanitation network.

in executing the contracts, but also in transferring their knowledge, experience, and quality standards to our business development teams. This has allowed us to unleash our full potential when facing new tenders, which we structure around three core pillars:

Firstly, we have proven operational capacity in very diverse contexts, managing complex, large-scale networks under a wide range of urban, climatic, and socio-economic conditions. The experience we’ve accumulated in markets such as Spain, Panama, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, and the Middle East enables us to quickly adapt to local environments and apply global best practices.

Secondly, we’ve made a strong commitment to service digitalisation. We incorporate advanced automation and control systems, GIS platforms, hydraulic modelling, network analysis, predictive maintenance, and digital twins. These tools allow us to anticipate incidents, reduce losses, optimise resources, and make data-driven decisions in real time.

With a growing international presence and a strategy firmly grounded in innovation, ACCIONA is positioning itself as a global benchmark in the operation and maintenance of water and sanitation networks. From advanced urban systems in Europe to large-scale infrastructure in Latin America, the company is expanding its reach with a consistent focus on efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Among its latest milestones are major contracts that reflect the diversity and complexity of its portfolio: in Spain, cities like Valencia, Bilbao, Burgos, and Madrid are embracing a new generation of smart water services powered by digitalisation; meanwhile, in Brazil, ACCIONA is leading one of the most ambitious public-private partnerships in the region, serving 48 municipalities and more than 200,000 people. In Valencia, the company is introducing advanced technological upgrades as part of a renewed commit-

To explore the foundations of this model and the future of water infrastructure management, we speak with Raúl González, Director of Network Operation and Maintenance at ACCIONA. In this interview, he shares insights on the company’s global approach to asset management, the role of digital twins and IoT, and the lessons learned from deploying smart solutions in both mature and emerging markets.

ACCIONA has recently secured strategic contracts in Spain, Brazil, and other markets. What would you say are the key differentiating factors in your value proposition for water network operation and maintenance?

Undoubtedly, the experience we’ve gained over the past 15 years managing this type of contract has enabled us to build a team of highly specialised professionals. They’ve not only been successful

Lastly, we approach all our contracts with a clear focus on active sustainability. We aim to maximise energy efficiency, reduce water and carbon footprints, reuse resources, and promote circular economy principles across every phase of service delivery.

Digitalisation has become a central pillar of network management. What technologies is ACCIONA deploying across its operated networks, and how do they translate into improved efficiency, resilience, and service quality? Today, using technology to operate and maintain water supply and sanitation networks is no longer an option or a trend—it’s a necessity and an obligation. Only through digitalisation can we make informed decisions and operate efficiently. For decades, decisions in the water sector were made in a somewhat arbitrary manner, without a thorough analysis of network conditions. For instance,

Z Alejandro Maceira

@Guillermo Martínez

the decision to replace one section of a network over another in a city often depended on how many incidents a network manager remembered happening in recent times.

At ACCIONA, asset management is the cornerstone of operations. It allows us to plan, record, and analyse every intervention in the infrastructure, from preventive and corrective maintenance to strategic renewals. This data is combined with criticality models, obsolescence analysis, and lifecycle cost assessments to support data-driven investment and maintenance decisions.

We are also deploying digital twins in both water supply and sanitation networks. These systems integrate real-time hydraulic modelling, IoT sensors, SCADA data, and external forecasts, enabling us to anticipate behaviours, simulate scenarios, and respond more accurately to critical events.

Of course, none of this is possible without investment in a comprehensive IoT sensor layer across the network. This infrastructure enables monitoring of flow rates, pressures, water quality, and potential intrusions, automatically generating alerts and facilitating more agile and precise network control. All this information is integrated into the aforementioned platforms to give it full operational meaning.

Projects in Valencia, Bilbao, and Paraná have incorporated advanced tools such as digital twins, IoT sensors, and predictive maintenance. What key lessons have you drawn from these experiences?

"Projects in Spain and Brazil have allowed us to consolidate an operation and maintenance model based on smart water cycle management"

These projects have allowed us to consolidate an operation and maintenance model based on smart water cycle management. They’ve also been instrumental in field-testing many of the technologies and methodologies that now define ACCIONA’s global approach.

One of the main takeaways is that technology only delivers value when it’s fully integrated into day-to-day operations and aligned with service objectives. In Valencia, for example, a pilot digital twin implemented in the sanitation system enabled us to simulate and anticipate hydraulic overload scenarios in collectors and pumping stations, improving the management of heavy rainfall events. This predictive capability translates into a significant reduction in discharges and improved urban environmental quality.

In Bilbao, the project was especially valuable for understanding the impact of IoT sensor deployment in large, heterogeneous networks. Installing sensors at critical points has provided a level of visibility we didn’t have before, allowing for much more reliable modelling. We are currently developing hydraulic models for the city’s 27 catchments to determine the necessary investments and upgrades for the sanitation network in the coming years.

In Paraná, Brazil, we’ve focused on predictive maintenance, given that we’re working under a long-term contract. This allows us to prioritise actions based on risk and criticality. The result is not only improved service continuity but also optimised use of both technical and financial resources.

The circular economy is becoming increasingly important in both networks and treatment plants. How is ACCIONA advancing in sludge valorisation, biogas generation, and water reuse across its current operations?

At ACCIONA, the circular economy is not an abstract concept but an integrated operational strategy applied to

both wastewater treatment infrastructure and networks. Our goal is clear: reduce waste, generate resources, and increase overall system efficiency.

In wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), we promote sludge valorisation through advanced treatment technologies such as anaerobic digestion, thermal drying, and composting. These processes yield stabilised, safe biosolids for agricultural use or soil amendment. In addition, we implement co-digestion with external organic waste streams, which boosts biogas production and enhances the energy efficiency of the overall process. In several facilities, this biogas meets a significant portion of the energy demand through cogeneration, and we are progressing toward biogas upgrading to produce reusable biomethane or inject it into the grid.

In parallel, we operate water reuse systems using tertiary—and even quaternary—treatment processes, enabling treated effluent to be reused for agricultural irrigation, urban street cleaning, industrial applications, or aquifer recharge. This is particularly relevant in water-stressed regions, where these

solutions help relieve pressure on conventional water sources and ensure a sustainable supply.

From the network perspective, we incorporate circular criteria into both planning and execution. A clear example is the use of trenchless technologies for network rehabilitation, such as cured-inplace pipe (CIPP) lining or pipe bursting, which allow pipelines to be renewed while minimising excavation, waste generation, aggregate consumption, and disruption to the urban environment. This methodology not only reduces the carbon footprint but also extends the service life of existing infrastructure with high economic and environmental efficiency.

In urban environments with ageing infrastructure, what are the key factors for reducing losses, prioritising investments, and renewing networks efficiently and sustainably?

Managing ageing water networks requires a strategic vision grounded primarily in deep knowledge of the asset. At ACCIONA, we tackle this challenge through a comprehensive asset manage-

"Digital tools allow us to anticipate incidents, reduce losses, optimise resources, and make datadriven decisions in real time"

@Guillermo Martínez

ment approach that combines digital technologies, data-driven planning, and innovative technical solutions.

One of the key elements is the digitalisation of the network inventory using GIS tools integrated with CMMS platforms, which allows us to maintain full traceability of materials, age, historical incidents, and functional criticality. This database feeds prioritisation models that incorporate hydraulic, economic, environmental, and social criteria to plan renewals based on technical rationale rather than reactive measures.

From this foundation, trenchless technologies play a fundamental role. Techniques such as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining, pipe bursting, or the insertion of flexible pipe allow for the rehabilitation of pipelines without the need for open-cut excavation, significantly reducing construction waste (aggregates, debris, backfill materials), CO₂ emissions associated with heavy machinery and transportation, the use of new materials by leveraging existing alignments, impacts on traffic, local businesses, and urban quality of life, and, of course, execution times and the overall cost of the intervention.

These technologies are especially valuable in densely populated and highly urbanised environments, where the social impact of conventional works would be unacceptable. Moreover, they can extend the service life of existing infrastructure by up to 50 additional years, easing pressure on public budgets.

In summary, efficiently and sustainably renewing networks requires combining deep knowledge of the asset’s condition, prioritising trenchless technologies as the preferred solution, and planning based on impact, risk, and cost-efficiency criteria.

Looking ahead to the medium term, how does ACCIONA envision the future of water network maintenance, and what capabilities do you consider essential to meet the sector’s upcoming challenges?

Water network maintenance is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by digitalisation, climate pressure, regulatory demands, and the need for both economic and environmental efficiency.

At ACCIONA, we envision a future in which maintenance is no longer reactive

"Predicting hydraulic overload scenarios translates into a significant reduction in discharges and improved urban environmental quality"

but instead intelligent, preventive, and predictive—guided by data and automation.

One of the key pillars will be the consolidation of advanced asset management strategies, supported by tools such as digital twins, interconnected CMMS platforms, and degradation and reliability models that allow failures to be anticipated before they occur. This entails evolving towards a maintenance culture based on asset lifecycle, where every intervention is justified by criteria of criticality, risk, and cost-efficiency.

The widespread deployment of sensors in networks through IoT, combined with data analytics algorithms, will enable near real-time decision-making, resource optimisation, reduced service disruptions, and enhanced system resilience in the face of extreme events.

Another essential capability will be the sustainable renewal of assets, particularly in consolidated urban environments. Trenchless technologies and low-impact environmental solutions will continue gaining prominence due to their technical efficiency and reduced urban and climate footprint.

At the organisational level, it will be crucial to have multidisciplinary teams that integrate technical, digital, and environmental expertise. The maintenance of the future will demand skills in data analysis, interpretation of digital models, geospatial information management, and the operation of continuous digital platforms.

We also foresee an evolution in contractual models. The inclusion of performance indicators, energy efficiency

"The widespread deployment of sensor of networks through IoT will enable near realtime decision-making and enhance system resilience"

frameworks, and sustainability clauses will become increasingly common, requiring operators to demonstrate tangible results in terms of hydraulic performance, service quality, and environmental footprint reduction.

In short, water network maintenance in the coming years will be more technology-driven, sustainable, and focused on data-based decision-making. At ACCIONA, we are already moving in that direction—investing in innovation, training, and digital tools that enable us to continue leading the responsible and efficient management of water infrastructure.

The contract in Brazil, covering 48 municipalities, represents a major milestone. What strategic and technical lessons does this project offer for replication in other emerging markets?

The public-private partnership contract for the provision of sanitation network services in 48 municipalities in the state of Paraná, Brazil, is one of ACCIONA’s most ambitious projects in Latin America and a benchmark for its global strategy in emerging markets.

One of the key strategic lessons is the importance of building strong public-private partnerships, where the private operator contributes technical expertise, management efficiency, and investment capacity, while the public client retains service oversight and ensures social coverage. In this case, collaboration with the state-owned company SANEPAR has shown that it is possible to advance towards universal service provision through a model based on cooperation and shared responsibility.

From a technical standpoint, the project will allow us to provide sanitation infrastructure to more than 200,000 people who currently lack access. The region currently has only about 25% sanitation coverage, and over the coming years, we will build, operate, and maintain sewer

networks, pumping stations, and treatment plants to bring that figure above 90%.

This project has firmly established ACCIONA as a key player in network management in Latin America and lays the groundwork for replicating this model in other parts of the world where access to water and sanitation remains a critical challenge.

From a global perspective, which regions currently offer the greatest opportunities for the development of water and sanitation networks, and what types of projects is ACCIONA focusing on?

From a global perspective, the greatest opportunities for the development of water and sanitation networks are concentrated in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and, of course, Spain.

In Latin America, where ACCIONA already has a strong presence, we continue to see enormous potential in projects that combine coverage expansion, such as Brazil’s public-private partnerships, with loss reduction, as in the recently awarded

contract in Costa Rica, or network renewal, like the preventive maintenance contracts in Peru. These examples show that there is room for hybrid models that enhance system performance while generating both social and environmental value.

The Middle East stands out as a key region due to its firm commitment to digitalisation, water reuse, and hydrological resilience. Many countries are promoting projects with a strong technological component, and ACCIONA is well-positioned to deliver advanced solutions for network management, integration with desalination, and smart asset control.

In terms of project types, we are placing particular focus on large-scale network operation and maintenance, especially in major urban environments, where we can leverage our operational experience and digital capabilities.

In Spain, for instance, there is growing momentum among public companies to adopt service provision contracts for the operation and maintenance of water supply and sanitation networks, increasingly incorporating renewal and replacement

"Trenchless technologies play a fundamental role by reducing waste, emissions, and disruption while extending asset life"

@Guillermo Martínez

models with significantly larger budgets. This is why we are also paying close attention to opportunities in the domestic market.

What role are public-private partnerships playing in ACCIONA’s international development, and what conditions do you consider essential to ensure their long-term success and sustainability?

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are a strategic pillar of ACCIONA’s international expansion in the water sector. In many countries, particularly in emerging markets, these models represent the most effective way to address structural deficits in water supply and sanitation networks, mobilise investment, improve operational efficiency, and ensure universal and sustainable access to water and sanitation.

For ACCIONA, PPPs are not merely a contractual framework, but a balanced collaboration model that aligns public objectives with private capabilities. Our experience shows that, when well designed, PPPs can create shared value, improving both the technical indicators

of the service and its social and environmental impact.

We believe the key conditions for ensuring the success and sustainability of these partnerships include clarity and institutional stability—meaning legal certainty, regulatory transparency, and strong governance to foster trust among stakeholders; appropriate risk allocation—ensuring risks are assigned realistically and proportionally to each party’s ability to manage them, avoiding imbalances that could threaten project viability; social engagement and transparency—success also depends on public acceptance, which is why we promote communication, social action, accountability, and collaboration with the communities served; and finally, local capacity building—which is one of ACCIONA’s distinctive strengths in PPPs, involving the training of local staff, knowledge transfer, and integration of regional suppliers, thereby contributing to the socioeconomic development of the area.

"Trenchless technologies and low-impact environmental solutions will continue gaining prominence due to their technical efficiency"

RISING MAIN MONITORING

Anglian Water is the largest water and water recycling company in England and Wales by geographic area; it supplies water and sewer services to almost seven million customers in the east of England, a service area of more than 27,500 kms/17,000 square miles.

Anglian Water manages nearly 113,000 kms/8,000 miles of water and sewer pipe, including more than 10,000 kms/6,000 miles of rising mains, transporting sewage. If a burst occurs on a rising main and sewage escapes the system, rapid detection and mitigation are essential to minimise environmental impact, a key strategic priority for the utility.

Keeping track of this vast infrastructure is a major challenge. It includes a higher percentage of the farmed land in the UK, and before monitoring, bursts could go unnoticed for long periods if a pipeline runs underneath a field which is lightly visited.

The utility’s initial priority was the early capture of burst mains to reduce the impact of pollution and achieve a better understanding of the condition of managed assets. Identifying failing assets such as non-return valves, air valves, degradation of pumps, and any assets which start to become troublesome and costly, increases efficiency, reduces operational activity and aids carbon and energy reduction.

Anglian Water embarked on a key monitoring programme in 2017, installing PIPEMINDER-ONE External

monitors from Badger Meter at key locations throughout the utility’s service area. PIPEMINDER-ONE External uses pressure data to provide critical burst alarms on pumped mains, alongside valuable asset performance analysis.

Data collected from these sensors is sent to RADAR, the associated cloud platform, which delivers burst alerts whenever anomalies in pressure fall outside the standard operating conditions. The alerts are automatically sent to the operational control room. Armed with this information, Anglian Water could rapidly dispatch technicians to the affected area to investigate and walk the length of the pipeline to detect the source of the burst.

Analysing the data revealed additional problems within the rising main, such as drain back on a partially open non-return valve, causing pumps to run more often and for longer, resulting in increased energy usage and the pumps wearing more quickly.

Once the valve was maintained with the debris removed, it could close fully, and the pumps resumed their standard run patterns, resulting in a meaningful reduction in energy consumption, reducing wear and tear on the pumps, valves and other impacted components.

Anglian Water’s priority was the capture of burst mains to reduce the impact of pollution to better understand the condition of managed assets

Monitoring performance

The engineering and software teams from Badger Meter worked together with the utility to develop a set of performance alerts to measure other key performance factors. This subsequent analysis revealed a range of performance issues requiring attention, from worn pump impellers to failed valves and compromised control valves. These findings were confirmed using the existing telemetry data, providing a double-down view of asset performance.

The team at Anglian Water built a Rising Main simulation to demonstrate the monitoring project.

DELIVERS ACTIONABLE DATA

Utilising this monitoring method, the utility quickly identified more than 50 issues, identifying poor performance and inefficiency in its process. This step was vital to prioritising repair work and nec-

essary upgrades. Rectifying existing asset issues has already generated more than £30,000/$40,400 per year in energy savings, based on completing two-thirds of planned mitigations. The reduced costs

associated with investigating bursts gave the utility a payback on the technology investment within just one year.

Modelling hydraulic transients

Using advanced hydraulic modelling software, Anglian Water could obtain a deeper analysis of asset performance. Insights produced by modelling provide valuable guidance on a range of operational issues, such as how to control pumps to reduce surge and lessen negative pressures to maintain performance at optimal levels to minimise asset wear and tear.

The modelling results helped the Anglian Water team identify the most critical projects for attention and perform less costly mitigation where appropriate, delivering maximum impact for capital expense.

The collaboration to understand the rising main networks has continued over the past 7 years. With SCADA data now integrated into RADAR, pump information alongside pressure data delivers enhanced insights and alarms on one screen, for a more robust view.

This strategy has led to the roll-out of more than 1,700 monitored pump stations to date. This data-driven approach to performance monitoring provides the Anglian Water team with visibility into their vast system that informs decisions with the power to improve the service to customers.

Anglian Water embarked on a key monitoring programme in 2017, installing PIPEMINDER-

ONE External monitors from Badger Meter at key locations

PIPEMINDER-ONE

External uses pressure data to provide critical burst alarms on pumped mains, alongside valuable asset performance analysis

”As we transition from AMP7 to AMP8, our commitment to investing in people, processes, and infrastructure remains unwavering. Our focus is on enhancing the maintenance and monitoring of our wastewater rising mains to protect the environment and better serve our customers,” Paul Louth, Anglian Water’s Head of Water Recycling Networks, said.

In Year 5 of the current AMP7 investment cycle, Anglian Water undertook its most ambitious pressure monitoring programme to date, rolling out 830 new monitors across its wastewater network—a 104% increase in pressure monitoring coverage. This significant scale-up marks a step change in how the business manages risk associated with complex rising mains and demonstrates a proactive approach to pollution prevention.

This expansion comes off the back of a major commitment from stakeholders in June 2024, who pledged an additional £100 million/$133 million in targeted funding to support Anglian Water’s zero-pollution goal. With increasing regulatory scrutiny and heavier penalties associated with pollution events, particularly those following burst rising mains, the ability to detect and respond quickly is now business-critical.

Anglian Water operates in a region unlike any other. With a quarter of the ge-

PIPEMINDER-ONE External from Badger Meter, mains powered.

ography lying below sea level, the risk of flooding and pollution is amplified. This makes the monitoring of rising mains, particularly complex ones, not just beneficial, but essential. The transition from AMP7 to AMP8 will see this focus intensify, with performance monitoring, risk mitigation and incident response becoming central pillars of the asset management strategy.

At the heart of this progress is Anglian Water’s longstanding partnership with Syrinix (purchased by Badger Meter at the start of 2023). Over the past eight years, this collaboration has continuously improved how the business identifies rising main risk, installs pressure monitors, and interprets performance data. The company’s advanced pressure monitoring technology has played a pivotal role in enabling faster response times to burst events, allowing Anglian Water to reach sites before they escalate into major environmental incidents. This proactive capability has already helped reduce the impact of failures and is redefining how incident management is handled.

In Year 5 of the current AMP7 investment cycle, Anglian Water undertook its most ambitious pressure monitoring programme to date

“The success of the monitoring programme has been driven by strong cross-business collaboration,” Jana De Villiers, Project Manager within the Programme Delivery Team at Anglian Water, said. “From the early identification of critical rising mains through to final installation, teams across operational, asset, and engineering disciplines have come together to ensure seamless deployment and meaningful insights. This end-to-end, collaborative approach has helped embed monitoring into the heart of the pollution reduction strategy.”

As AMP8 begins, Anglian Water is excited by the opportunities this new way of working unlocks. With improved visibility, faster responses, and a deeper understanding of network performance, the company is better positioned than ever to protect the environment and deliver long-term resilience across its wastewater infrastructure.

For more information about BlueEdge from Badger Meter and its solutions for the complete water cycle, visit BadgerMeter.com/Rising.

Rising Main monitoring installation with solar panel to lessen the frequency of operational visits.

Mark Hendy, Badger Meter UK and Jana De Villiers, Anglian Water collect a WWEM 2024 award for ‘Best Supplier and End User Partnership’.

“Leadership in water means listening deeply, acting boldly, and fostering global partnerships that drive real-world impact”

JON FREEDMAN- PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL DESALINATION AND REUSE ASSOCIATION (IDRA)

Jon Freedman, President of IDRA, discusses the urgent need to scale desalination and water reuse to address global water scarcity. In this interview, he highlights the technological advances, policy challenges, and collaborative solutions shaping a resilient, circular water economy — and IDRA’s role in driving sustainable water management worldwide.

Second, my time in the private sector, particularly collaborating with utilities, technology innovators, and policymakers, has reinforced the importance of cross-sector collaboration and innovation. We need to move faster to adopt and scale proven technologies like desalination and water reuse, while also creating the policy and financing frameworks to make these solutions accessible globally.

As the President of the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) for the 2024–2026 term, Jon Freedman brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of policy, technology, and industry. Currently Global Head of Policy and Stakeholder Engagement for Water Quality at Veralto, and with previous senior roles at GE, SUEZ, and Veolia, Freedman has long been a leading voice advocating for scalable, sustainable water solutions. His work emphasises the critical importance of innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and sound policy frameworks in advancing global water security, particularly as water scarcity intensifies worldwide.

In this interview, Freedman shares his vision for IDRA’s role in accelerating the adoption of desalination and water reuse

"My focus will be on innovation, equity, and collaboration, ensuring IDRA continues to be a catalyst for adoption of advanced solutions"

as key pillars of a circular water economy. He highlights the pressing need to address non-technical barriers—such as financing, regulation, and public acceptance—and discusses how IDRA’s initiatives, including "Be Water Positive+," aim to foster practical, integrated solutions. As global water challenges become increasingly complex, Freedman’s perspective underscores the urgency of coordinated, forward-thinking action to ensure resilient and sustainable water management for both utilities and industry.

Throughout your extensive career in water management, what have been the most significant experiences shaping your vision and priorities as the new President of IDRA?

First and foremost, working on water policy at both the national and international levels has given me a deep appreciation for the urgent need to scale sustainable, resilient water solutions. From participating in global water forums to advising on public-private partnerships, I’ve seen firsthand that access to reliable water isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s foundational to economic development, public health, and social stability.

Finally, I've been fortunate to work with brilliant colleagues and visionary leaders from across the water community. These collaborations have taught me that leadership in water means listening deeply, acting boldly, and fostering global partnerships that drive real-world impact.

As President of IDRA, my focus will be on accelerating innovation, equity, and collaboration, ensuring that IDRA continues to be a catalyst for the global adoption of advanced water solutions that meet the challenges of our time.

From your perspective, which global water challenges currently pose the most significant risk to achieving sustainability and resilience?

At IDRA, we see the most significant global water challenges as deeply interconnected with climate change, population growth, and economic development. Three critical risks stand out:

Escalating water scarcity. Water scarcity is no longer a distant threat—it is a reality for billions of people. Climate change intensifies droughts and alters precipitation patterns, while growing demand from agriculture, industry, and cities is outstripping available supply. Without bold, systemic

Z Alejandro Maceira

action, water scarcity will undermine global sustainability and development goals.

Lagging infrastructure and policy innovation. While recycling and desalinating water technologies have advanced rapidly, policies, financing mechanisms, and institutional capacity have not kept pace. Many regions lack the regulatory frameworks, cross-sector coordination, and investment models to implement water reuse and desalination at scale. This policy-implementation gap puts climate adaptation efforts at risk.

Energy-water nexus pressures. Desalination and water reuse are energy-intensive processes, and in a world transitioning to

net zero, water's carbon footprint must be urgently addressed. At IDRA, we advocate for integrating renewable energy into water production, exemplified in Iceland, the host of our 2025 Reykjavik Summit on Climate and Water. There, geothermal and hydropower demonstrate how water security can be achieved sustainably.

Water scarcity continues to intensify worldwide. How do you view the roles of desalination and water reuse within a comprehensive, long-term strategy to enhance global water security?

Desalination and water reuse are vital components of a long-term strategy to

achieve global water security, particularly when embedded within a circular water economy.

Water reuse enables the continuous recovery and repurposing of treated wastewater for agriculture, industry, and even potable use, maximizing the value of every drop and reducing reliance on limited freshwater sources. When powered by renewable energy and paired with innovations like brine recovery, desalination provides a stable supply while minimizing environmental impact.

Together, these solutions support a closed-loop water system that is more efficient, resilient, and aligned with climate goals. At IDRA, we see the circular water economy as the foundation for sustainable water management, where desalination and reuse are not endpoints but dynamic parts of a broader system that captures, treats, and recycles water continuously to meet growing needs.

From an IDRA standpoint, what barriers—technical, economic, or social—remain the greatest obstacles for broader global adoption of wastewater reuse?

The most significant barriers to broader global adoption of wastewater reuse are not technological—they are economic, regulatory, and social. Technically, the solutions are proven, but scaling them requires stronger regulatory frameworks that define quality standards, build public trust, and enable cross-sector implementation.

Economically, many regions struggle with the upfront capital costs and lack access to innovative financing models like blended finance or public-private partnerships that can make projects bankable.

Socially, public perception and acceptance remain major hurdles, particularly for potable reuse, where a lack of awareness or cultural stigma can delay adoption even in water-stressed areas.

Overcoming these obstacles requires coordinated action: clear policies, education campaigns, incentives for investment, and platforms - like IDRA’s Reykjavik Summit - to share knowledge and build global

momentum for reuse as a mainstream water solution.

What are the most promising technological advancements today in the desalination sector that could substantially enhance its sustainability, efficiency, and acceptance?

Today, some of the most promising advancements in the desalination sector directly address the need for greater sustainability, efficiency, and public acceptance. On the technology front, innovations in membrane design, such as graphene oxide and high-rejection membranes, are significantly reducing energy use and operational costs, making reverse osmosis more efficient and accessible. Adopting energy recovery devices and batch RO configurations is also transforming performance, with some systems cutting energy consumption by over 80%.

Equally important is the integration of renewable energy. Solar-powered desalination systems, including recent battery-free models developed by MIT, and wave-powered units are showing real promise for offgrid, climate-resilient applications. These solutions are especially critical for remote and water-stressed regions.

Another significant development is in environmental stewardship, specifically, the advancement of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) and high-recovery systems that minimise brine waste. Approaches like the IBTS Greenhouse push the envelope by combining renewable energy, modular design, and extremely low energy consumption.

Considering the growing importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria in corporate decision-making, how can water-intensive industries effectively integrate desalina-

tion and water reuse to improve their ESG performance?

As ESG criteria increasingly shape corporate decision-making, water-intensive industries have a crucial opportunity to enhance their environmental and social performance by integrating desalination and water reuse. These technologies help reduce reliance on freshwater sources, lower overall water footprints, and build resilience against climate risks.

By adopting water reuse systems, companies can create a circular water economy within their operations, supporting sustainability goals and improving ESG metrics. When desalination is powered by renewable energy, it also lowers carbon emissions, aligning with broader climate targets. Effective governance through transparent water stewardship policies, including monitoring and stakeholder engagement, further strengthens ESG performance.

IDRA HIGH-LEVEL SEVILLE COLLOQUIUM ON RESILIENT WATER SOLUTIONS

On June 2, 2025, the IDRA High-Level Seville Colloquium on Resilient Water Solutions convened an international assembly of government officials, policy experts, business leaders, academics, and technical practitioners at the Sevilla Aquarium. The event served as a platform for participants to address escalating

Water leaders gathered at the IDRA High-Level Seville Colloquium on Resilient Water Solutions to address the global water crisis, showcasing innovative reuse, desalination, and circular economy solutions. Experts from Europe, North Africa, the U.S., and Latin America shared regulatory breakthroughs, public-private partnerships, and resilient governance models.

water scarcity driven by climate change and to propose actionable pathways for resilient water governance worldwide. Throughout the full day of dialogue, participants exchanged expertise on advancing water reuse, desalination, integrated governance, circular economy strategies, and cross-sector partnerships.

Shannon McCarthy, Secretary General of IDRA, welcomed delegates to Seville and framed the day’s discussions as part of a broader journey toward a more sustainable

Z Cristina Novo

At IDRA, we see the integration of desalination and reuse not just as a technical upgrade, but as a strategic move that aligns operational continuity with environmental responsibility and social license to operate.

Emerging contaminants like PFAS pose a considerable challenge globally. How does IDRA advocate addressing these complex contaminants, and what advancements do you consider most promising?

Emerging contaminants like PFAS represent a significant challenge to global water security. These substances are persistent and resistant to conventional treatment methods, necessitating innovative approaches to ensure safe and sustainable water supplies.

To address this issue, IDRA advocates adopting advanced treatment technologies that effectively remove PFAS from water sources. Promising advancements include:

Ceramic membrane filtration: Utilising robust ceramic membranes, which offer high resistance to fouling and can effectively remove PFAS, heavy metals, and suspended solids, even under challenging conditions like high turbidity.

Hybrid treatment systems: Combining technologies like nanofiltration with electrochemical oxidation or biochar-based adsorption to enhance the removal efficiency of PFAS compounds.

Furthermore, IDRA emphasises integrating these technologies into water reuse and desalination systems to promote a circular water economy. This approach addresses PFAS contamination and contributes to sustainable water management practices.

Public acceptance remains a critical factor for the successful implementation of reuse and desalination projects. From your global experience, what are the

most effective approaches to enhance public trust and acceptance?

Building public trust in desalination and water reuse requires clear communication, community engagement, and positive messaging. Providing accessible safety information, using favourable terms like “purified water,” and involving the community through tours and forums helps demystify the process.

Partnering with trusted institutions and experts further strengthens credibility.

"Desalination and reuse are not endpoints but dynamic parts of a broader system that captures, treats, and recycles water continuously"

Spanish authorities and global water leaders gathered in Seville for the IDRA Colloquium on Resilient Water Solutions

These combined strategies enable water utilities and policymakers to address concerns effectively, fostering greater acceptance and support for sustainable water solutions worldwide.

As energy demand is a crucial concern for water treatment processes, what recent developments or best practices have significantly improved energy efficiency in desalination and wastewater reuse projects?

Recent developments in energy efficiency for desalination and wastewater reuse include advances in energy recovery devices and innovative reverse osmosis (RO) membrane technologies, such as high-rejection and graphene oxide membranes, that can reduce energy consumption by up to 60%.

Renewable energy integration, especially solar-powered desalination systems, can

Shannon McCarthy

Secretary General, IDRA

“Our mission at IDRA is to connect people and promote water solutions through innovation and international collaboration.”

also enable off-grid operation without batteries, enhancing sustainability. Portable and modular desalination units, powered by renewables, offer energy-efficient, scalable solutions for remote or emergency settings, providing reliable water access with minimal energy use.

Together, these advancements make desalination and reuse more sustainable and accessible worldwide.

Many utilities and municipalities seek effective funding solutions for major water infrastructure investments. Which financing models or public-private partnerships have you observed as particularly effective for large-scale water reuse or desalination projects?

Effective financing is one of the most critical enablers for large-scale water reuse and desalination projects. From IDRA’s global perspective, several models stand out. Pub-

and secure water future. She praised Andalusia as a living example of forward-thinking water policy and noted that the colloquium laid the groundwork for even more ambitious gatherings in the years ahead, culminating in the IDRA 2027 Global Summit on Water and Climate Change, set to return to Seville. Her words emphasised the global importance of local leadership and the need for collaboration across technical, policy, and financial sectors.

Mayor José Luis Sanz Ruiz of Seville emphasised his city’s sustained commitment to embedding sustainability within urban water management and infrastructure, describing Seville as a "living laboratory"

lic-private partnerships (PPPs) remain one of the most successful frameworks, combining government support with private sector efficiency, capital, and innovation. Models such as Design-Build-Own-Operate (DBOO) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) have been particularly effective in ensuring project delivery, cost control, and long-term sustainability.

Blended finance, which mixes public funding, development finance, and private investment, has also emerged as a powerful tool, especially in emerging markets. Instruments like green bonds, climate adaptation funds, and water resilience investment platforms are increasingly being used to align infrastructure with ESG goals and attract institutional investors.

Regulatory frameworks vary globally. What key regulatory strategies or best practices would you highlight as partic-

COLLOQUIUM

ularly successful in promoting the adoption of reuse and desalination projects?

Robust, forward-looking regulatory frameworks are essential to scaling water reuse and desalination. Globally, the most successful strategies share several common features. First, clear water quality standards and permitting processes provide certainty for project developers and help build public trust. Jurisdictions like Singapore, Israel, and parts of the U.S. have demonstrated how transparent, science-based guidelines enable safe potable reuse and large-scale desalination adoption. Second, incentive-based regulations can drive behaviour change and investment. Third, integrated resource planning, where desalination and reuse are incorporated into national water strategies, ensures alignment with climate, energy, and land-use policies.

Finally, regulatory flexibility and cross-sector coordination, for example, be-

tween environment, health, and infrastructure ministries, allow for innovation while safeguarding public health and ecosystems.

What do you see as the practical implications of IDRA’s "Be Water Positive+" initiative for businesses and utilities, and how can organisations realistically implement water-positive principles?

IDRA’s “Be Water Positive+” initiative encourages businesses and utilities to go beyond reducing water use and to actively enhance local water resources, fostering a net positive water impact. The practical implications of this approach are profound: organisations are called not only to manage water efficiently but also to become stewards of their watersheds and catalysts for regional water resilience.

To implement water-positive principles realistically, organisations should begin with comprehensive water audits to identi-

fy inefficiencies and high-impact intervention points. From there, they can invest in cutting-edge solutions like advanced water reuse systems, desalination technologies, and smart infrastructure that recycles and supplements freshwater supplies. Supporting local ecosystem restoration—such as aquifer recharge, wetland rehabilitation, and watershed protection—helps return more water to nature than is withdrawn.

Crucially, transparent monitoring and public reporting of water use and restoration efforts build credibility and stakeholder trust. Forming public-private partnerships and engaging local communities amplifies impact and ensures locally appropriate solutions.

IDRA’s partnerships with global leaders like the CEO Water Mandate and the Net Positive Water Impact initiative provide a strong framework for companies aiming to align with international best practices and

for integrated water governance that balances population growth, tourism, and environmental protection. President Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla of the Junta de Andalucía framed water as an existential issue for Andalusia, stressing the need for desalination and reuse to become central pillars of both regional strategy and European policy. His remarks included a strong call for EU-level recognition of water as a strategic resource and an acknowledgement of the infrastructure and funding challenges ahead.

Expanding on the regional strategy, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, Regional Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Develop-

Regional Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of the Andalusian Government, Spain

“We have gone from recycling 17 cubic hectometres of water in 2019 to 70 today. Our goal is to multiply that by ten by 2027.”

Ramón FernándezPacheco Monterreal

Participants in panel “Turning the Tide – Latin America's Bold Approaches to Water Reuse and Desalination

accountability standards. Collaboration with the Alliance for Water Stewardship also helps organisations adopt long-standing globally recognised certification systems to operationalise water stewardship across supply chains.

Additionally, IDRA’s outreach campaign through the Canada Ocean Racing Team helps bring the “Be Water Positive and embrace Water Stewardship” message to global audiences in a compelling and action-oriented way, highlighting the in-

tersection of innovation, resilience, and public engagement.

These efforts reflect IDRA’s commitment to advancing integrated water resource management and building a resilient, circular water economy through innovation, collaboration, and leadership.

IDRA emphasises the "One Water" approach—managing all water resources holistically. How can this integrated strategy significantly enhance resilience and sustainability within urban and industrial water management?

reducing waste, and improving water quality.

Implementing "One Water" involves adopting circular water economy principles, investing in advanced desalination and reuse technologies, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. By viewing all water as a valuable resource, organisations can create more adaptive and efficient water systems, ensuring long-term water security and supporting sustainable development goals.

By adopting water reuse, companies can create a circular water economy within their operations, supporting sustainability goals

COLLOQUIUM

Carlos Cosín CEO, Almar Water Solutions

“Desalination has developed faster than reuse, even though reuse is cheaper and easier; now the situation is changing.”

IDRA's "One Water" approach promotes the integrated management of all water sources: drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and groundwater, as a unified resource. This holistic strategy enhances resilience and sustainability in urban and industrial water management by optimising water use across sectors,

ment, outlined the Andalusian roadmap for non-conventional water resources. He presented specific targets for water reuse and desalination by 2027 and underscored the importance of public-private partnerships, adaptive governance, and territorial equity to ensure all regions of Andalusia benefit from resilient infrastructure.

Carlos Cosín, CEO of Almar Water Solutions, offered a private-sector perspective grounded in decades of international experience. He stressed the urgency of enabling regulatory frameworks that foster public-private collaboration and warned that without strong planning, even the best technologies would fall short. His brief but impactful remarks served as

As an organisation with consultative status at the UN and other global bodies, how does IDRA plan to leverage these partnerships to advance global awareness and adoption of integrated water reuse and desalination solutions?

We are committed to leveraging our consultative status with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations

a call to action, pointing to Andalusia as a model for integrated and long-term water planning.

Andalusia’s Strategic Plan: shaping the region’s water future

The colloquium’s first thematic session, moderated by Juan Francisco Muñoz, Deputy Director of Planning at the Andalusian General Secretariat of Water, explored the operational realities of Andalusia’s resilience strategy. Muñoz stressed that Andalusia’s plan is not simply reactive to immediate droughts but constitutes a structural transformation designed for enduring resilience, engaging ministries, basin authorities, municipalities, farmers, and utilities alike.

Advisor to the Minister for Desalination and Wastewater Treatment, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt

“Egypt recycles 21 billion cubic meters annually, becoming one of the world’s leading countries in agricultural wastewater reuse.”

Nouran Elbadawi

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and our membership in the UN-Water Special Framework for Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) to advance global awareness and adoption of integrated water reuse and desalination solutions. Our strategic approach includes:

Policy advocacy and thought leadership: Collaborating with UN agencies and international bodies to influence water governance frameworks, promoting policies that support sustainable water management practices.

Knowledge sharing and capacity building: Organising global events, such as the 2026 IDRA World Congress in Riyadh and the 2025 IDRA Reykjavik Summit on Water and Climate, to disseminate research, showcase innovations, and facilitate stakeholder dialogue.

Public-private partnerships: Fostering collaborations between governments, in-

Public Service Advisor, Instance Générale de Partenariat Public Privé, Tunisia

“Tunisia’s new Water Code reforms water governance and introduces publicprivate partnerships for the management of water resources.”

dustry leaders, multilateral institutions, the finance community, and civil society to implement scalable water solutions that address local and global challenges.

Through these initiatives, IDRA aims to catalyse the widespread adoption of integrated water reuse and desalination technologies, contributing to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for all.

With the upcoming IDRA Summit on Water and Climate in Reykjavik (October 2025), what key outcomes or strategic directions do you aim to achieve to influence global water policy, industry practices, and sustainable water management?

The IDRA Reykjavik Summit 2025, themed “Adaptation and Mitigation for a Sustainable Future,” aims to accelerate global progress on integrated water, ener-

Juan José Denis, President of EMASA and ASA Andalucía, argued that water reuse is not theoretical but operationally proven, citing successful longterm projects across Spain. He proposed a target of 100% reclamation of urban wastewater. Using a motorsport analogy, Denis likened utility operators to drivers who must confidently manoeuvre sophisticated systems under complex and variable conditions to ensure effective operation.

The President of the Axarquía irrigation users’ association, José Campos, spoke from the perspective of one of Andalusia’s most vulnerable agricultural zones. Initially adopted as an emergency solution, water reuse has now become an essential,

gy, and climate solutions. We will spotlight innovations in desalination, water reuse, renewable energy integration, and AI-driven water management to promote scalable, climate-resilient approaches to ensure drinking and industrial water needs.

The Summit will foster strategic public-private partnerships to unlock investment and strengthen policies supporting sustainable water infrastructure. Emphasising a circular water economy, it will showcase best practices across the water-energy-food nexus to advance resource efficiency.

Through high-level dialogue and media outreach, IDRA seeks to position desalination and reuse as vital to achieving Sustainable Development Goals and net-zero targets globally. Ultimately, Reykjavik 2025 will unite stakeholders to drive coordinated action for a resilient and sustainable water future.

permanent fixture for safeguarding avocado and mango crops. Campos highlighted the importance of improving conductivity levels by blending reused and conventional water sources to protect delicate crop quality while ensuring the long-term survival of these economically vital crops.

Ulises Ameyugo, Deputy Director of Health Protection at the Andalusian Ministry of Health, stressed that public confidence hinges on stringent safety standards and transparent governance. He called for robust institutional coordination, proactive monitoring, and clear public health protocols to build trust in non-conventional water resources, noting that health au-

Group CEO, National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), Morocco

“Public-private partnerships are helping to finance large-scale desalination plants, securing a reliable long-term supply for both cities and farms.”

Ferdaous Ben Atig

Tarik Hamane

thorities must be allies, not barriers, in scaling up reuse.

Building resilience in North Africa: water success stories

Moderated by Shannon McCarthy, the North Africa session spotlighted how Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia are aggressively scaling desalination, reuse, and integrated planning to address intensifying water stress and scarcity.

Tarik Hamane, CEO of Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), presented a comprehensive vision of how the country is turning structural water stress into an opportunity for transformation. Morocco is aggressively expanding its desalination capacity as a cornerstone of national water security, supported by the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (2020–2027), which channels over $14.5 billion in investment. He highlighted the Casablanca megaproject, a facility that will produce 300 million cubic metres annually, powered entirely by renewable energy. Beyond technical expansion, Hamane stressed that Morocco’s strategy is deeply integrated, linking desalination with renewable energy, agricultural development, and territorial equity.

Continuing the regional journey, Bada Lahcene, President Director General of the Algerian Energy Company, described Algeria's rapid expansion from 11 desalination plants in 2020 to mega-facilities capable of meeting 60% of national drinking

water needs by 2030. All construction is being carried out by domestic companies, signalling Algeria’s growing industrial and technical self-reliance.

Next, Nouran Elbadawi, Advisor to Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, shifted the focus to reuse. Egypt, she explained, is not only maximising the reuse of treated agricultural drainage water but also investing in advanced systems that blend reuse with desalination. Elbadawi emphasised Egypt’s leadership in linking water reuse to renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture. She introduced the Renewable Energy Powered Desalination for Irrigation project—a cross-country initiative with Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan—focused on the use of desalination for irrigation, powered by renewable energy.

Closing the session, Ferdaous Ben Atig from Tunisia’s Instance Générale de Partenariat Public Privé described the reforms underpinning Tunisia’s water strategy, including modernisation of the national Water Code and expanded use of public-private partnerships. She highlighted key upgrades underway in desalination and wastewater treatment infrastructure, underlining that for small and medium-sized countries, financing mechanisms must be agile, transparent, and scalable.

How the U.S. is scaling water reuse

Ana Schwab, Partner and Director of Government Affairs

Partner and Director of Government Affairs, BBK Law Firm, U.S.

“In the United States, public acceptance remains a major barrier to expanding potable reuse, despite safe and proven technologies."

Giampiero Genovese

Head of Unit, Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission

“The Water Resilience Strategy will set as its objective the sustainable use of water, the importance of recycling, and the circular economy."

at BBK Law firm, provided an in-depth look into the evolving landscape of water reuse policy in the United States. Framing her presentation within the country’s shifting political climate, she described how changes under successive administrations have impacted permitting, grant approvals, and infrastructure investment. Schwab highlighted that while there is growing interest in reuse, development has slowed due to regulatory uncertainty, the absence of a unified federal policy, and public hesitancy toward technologies like potable reuse. Regional disparities also play a significant role: while states like California, Texas, and Arizona are advancing innovation, others remain under-invested due to more abundant freshwater resources or slower policy uptake. Schwab highlighted the importance of demonstration projects and public education in increasing acceptance of reuse and discussed the growing attention to PFAS contamination and its implications for liability, investment, and regulatory thresholds. Her talk offered international participants a nuanced understanding of how legal, political, and technical factors intersect in shaping the future of water reuse in the U.S.

Panel 1: From policy to practice – advancing water reuse under EU regulations

Carlos Cosín moderated a panel addressing evolving EU policy frameworks for reuse, noting the historical paradox: while

Ana Schwab

reuse is often cheaper and more accessible than desalination, its uptake in Europe has lagged.

Giampiero Genovese, Head of Unit at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, provided an overview of the EU regulatory landscape: the Water Resilience Strategy, the Water Reuse Regulation and the recently revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Genovese explained the importance of harmonised risk management, and the need to overcome uneven progress across EU member states. He concluded by calling for broader public acceptance, better data availability, and economic incentives to accelerate reuse adoption across sectors beyond agriculture.

Eduardo Orteu, Counsel at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo in Spain, reviewed Spain’s long-standing regulatory barriers, including fragmented jurisdiction, pricing distortions, and restrictive PPP frameworks. Recent reforms aligned with EU directives now offer new openings for private capital investment. Federico Ramos de Armas, Director of Veolia Madrid Agua, emphasized the need for reliable data, multi-level governance reform, and updated legal frameworks. Fragmented governance had historically hindered coordinated planning, but EU-funded digitalisation efforts are now bridging information gaps. Jesús Maza, President of DAQUAS, provided a utility perspective based on Seville’s evolution. Past reliance on

Anatalicio Risden

Business Development Director, Sanepar

“At Sanepar we are working to convince industries that reused water is safe and offers excellent opportunities for new business.”

José Luis Murillo Collado CEO, Esval S.A.

“Chile’s model has transparent, unified tariffs; incorporating desalination increases costs that must be reflected in the water bill.”

groundwater during droughts exposed vulnerabilities that modern reuse programs, aligned with EU law, are now addressing to ensure water security.

Panel 2: Scaling water reuse for agriculture – Spain’s

success story

Moderated by Pedro Almagro, CEO of Lantania Water, this session highlighted Spain’s leadership in agricultural reuse. Victor-Juan Cifuentes, Planning Director at the Guadalquivir River Basin Authority explained that with 90% of water already allocated to agriculture, reuse operates as a substitution tool requiring basin-specific governance and legal precision to avoid environmental harm.

Bringing an industry and innovation lens, Domingo Zarzo, Head of Strategic Projects and Institutional Relations at Sacyr Water, underlined Spain’s position as the European leader in reuse capacity. He estimated Spain must double its reuse share by 2027. He addressed challenges such as regulatory fragmentation, public perception, salinity, and contaminants of emerging concern like PFAS. For him, the priority is now less about new technology and more about scaling proven solutions sustainably and affordably. Antonio José Lara Zamora, Water COO at Cox Water stressed that national reuse strategies must reflect Spain’s climatic diversity and regional needs. Spain’s Royal Decree 1085/2024 introduces much-needed regulatory clarity, quality standards, and

streamlined licensing procedures, opening new pathways for accelerated adoption.

Panel 3: turning the tide – Latin America’s bold approaches to water reuse and desalination

Moderated by Javier Nieto and José Díaz Caneja of ACCIONA, this panel explored Latin America’s emerging regulatory models, PPP frameworks, and private sector engagement. Marta Verde, CEO of GS Inima highlighted Brazil’s robust regulatory framework, noting that it provides legal clarity, risk-sharing mechanisms, and financing instruments—factors that significantly reduce investment risk. She pointed to successful examples of public-private collaboration, especially in industrial reuse, and emphasised that long-term reliability, not just cost, is driving uptake, particularly in regions dependent on water-intensive industries. Next, Anatalicio Risden, Business Development Director at Sanepar, the Paraná State water utility, described their evolving reuse strategy, focused on industrial partnerships and community engagement. Sanepar is actively developing contracts to supply reclaimed water to industrial users. He underlined the importance of education, transparency, and cross-sector collaboration in building public trust.

José Luis Murillo of Chilean utility Esval S.A. emphasised that human consumption projects are hindered by the political sensitivity surrounding tariff

COLLOQUIUM

increases, despite clear public support for investments that ensure water security. He called for more open dialogue on who pays for reuse and desalination, framing the issue not just as one of environmental or technical sustainability, but of economic realism and political courage. Concluding the panel, Rafael M. Rodríguez, Business Development Director at Cox Water, emphasized that regulatory tightening, zero liquid discharge requirements, and ESG-driven capital are rapidly transforming water project finance in Chile, Peru, and Mexico. Long-term private concessions are increasingly supplying water to major industries while supporting broader sustainability goals.

Panel 4: Inspiring water solutions – success stories in resilience and sustainability

José Díaz Caneja CEO, ACCIONA Infraestructuras

“Latin America is not defined by scarcity, but by a growing need for sanitation and reuse to ensure resilient supply.”

Marta Verde CEO, GS Inima

“Brazil has an excellent regulatory framework; the concession system gives investors clear rules and risk protections for reuse.”

Moderated by Emilio Fernández Director of the Andalusia Delegation at Aqualia, the final session showcased operational examples of successful circular water management across Spain. Rafael Almohalla from El Ejido, in Almería, described how aquifer protection, wastewater reuse, and highly organized agricultural cooperatives have enabled year-round production of tropical fruits while preserving environmental balance. Juan Carlos Pérez presented the Mar de Alborán desalination plant project in the Cabo de Gata region, also in Almería, producing 60,000 cubic metres daily to irrigate over 3,500 hectares of greenhouses. Innovative energy recovery and advanced filtration systems make the plant financially viable for farmers while reducing environmental impact.

Afterwards, Carmen Ferrer, Mayor of Santa Eulalia in the

island of Ibiza, detailed how the island has balanced surging tourism with aquifer preservation through modernized infrastructure, desalination, and consumption regulation, transforming chronic water scarcity into long-term stability. Manuel Romero, CEO of EMASESA, described Seville’s transition from surface water dependency to diversified, digitalised management including brackish desalination, efficiency programs, and smart monitoring systems that secure supply reliability.

Bada Lahcene

President Director General of the Algerian Energy Company

“By 2030, desalinated water will cover 60% of Algeria’s drinking water needs, thanks to plants built by Algerian companies."

Finally, Victor Monsalvo, Head of Eco-efficiency at Aqualia, brought a sharp perspective on the role of technology and circular economy principles in sustainable water management. He presented advanced projects in water regeneration, including nutrient recovery and brine valorisation technologies. His message was that innovation must be scalable, affordable, and aligned with regulatory and environmental goals.

Pedro Almagro CEO of Lantania Water

“Spain is among the most advanced countries in reclaimed water use for irrigation, but there is still much to do.”

Closing remarks

Shannon McCarthy and Carlos Cosín concluded the colloquium by highlighting the extraordinary breadth of technical expertise, institutional collaboration, and political commitment gathered in Seville. McCarthy underscored the importance of continued global dialogue and momentum ahead of IDRA’s 2027 Global Summit. Cosín emphasized that Spain now stands uniquely positioned as a global reference for integrated water resilience solutions, where politics, investment, innovation, and public trust converge.

COLLOQUIUM

LAITH AL-YACOUB & NAFN AMDAR

WATER AND ENVIRONMENT CONSULTANT | SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER AT INTERNATIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE (IWMI)

OPINION

The rebound trap: why smarter water economics matter more than efficiency

As global water stress intensifies, the agricultural sector, which consumes the largest share of water resources and is deeply interconnected with issues such as food security and economic dynamics, remains the focal point for conservation efforts.

While many water-related projects claim water conservation as their primary goal, in practice, their strategies, monitoring and financial priorities, “the real engines of success”, tend to focus narrowly on water-use efficiency, particularly through farm-level technologies.

However, real-world water savings often fail to materialise. Why? Because technological efficiency alone doesn’t equate to water conservation. This is known as the Jevons Paradox: as efficiency improves, the cost of using a resource drops, leading to higher consumption. In agriculture, saved water is often reinvested in expanding cultivation, creating a rebound effect that traps conservation efforts in a cycle of overuse.

To break this cycle, an integrated water management solution that aligns economic incentives, governance structures, and behavioural change is needed. This solution should focus on three main pillars:

Financial solutions that reward outcome: Redesign financial models away from a focus on technology installation, towards outcome-based approaches such as the pay-for-performance model. This model directly links payments to verified reductions in water withdrawals or improvements in groundwater levels. To ensure this works effectively, each project must define clear water-saving KPIs and use monitoring systems to validate impacts.

In addition, instruments like green & blue bonds and concessional loans, when tied to basin-level impacts, can steer capital towards sustainable water management. At the same time, these instruments help in de-risking capital by combining grants with debt and concessional loans, which typically carry lower interest rates. This enables broader public and private participation and ensures capital supports systemic change in the water sector.

Governance at the basin level: Water does not obey boundaries, and so must its governance. To avoid offsetting farm-level savings with unchecked withdrawals elsewhere, it is essential to establish

enforceable volumetric caps, legally recognised water entitlements, and basin-wide real-time monitoring systems.

A strong governance framework must also support adaptive management, responding to shifting climate conditions and variable water availability. This depends on continuous monitoring of key parameters, especially evapotranspiration, using technologies like remote sensing and ground-based sensors. Transparent pricing mechanisms and coordination across sectors are equally necessary to allocate water fairly and sustainably. Without this high level of coordination, isolated improvements in water efficiency are likely to be neutralised elsewhere in the system.

Farmer-centred incentives: Farmers respond to incentives, but these must lead to actual conservation outcomes. Tradable water credits, for instance, allow farmers to retain and sell unused allo-

"By redesigning how we finance, govern, and incentivise water use, we can ensure that efficiency leads not to rebound, but to resilience"

cations, transforming water into a limited and managed resource that rewards savings. Ecosystem service payments can support farmers adopting practices like groundwater recharge or improving soil moisture retention.

Subsidies linked to reduced withdrawals—verified via evapotranspiration data or metering—promote efficient behaviour. But financial tools alone aren't enough. Farmers need to trust the process, which means lowering transaction costs, ensuring transparent verification, and providing technical advisory services. With trust and support, long-term conservation is more likely.

True water conservation requires more than smart irrigation; it requires smart economics. By redesigning how we finance, govern, and incentivise water use, we can ensure that efficiency leads not to rebound, but to resilience.

WALID KHOURY

PRESIDENT AND CEO, DESALYTICS, AND MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION (WEF)

Over the last twelve months, I’ve attended eight major water industry events in Mexico City, Shanghai, Valencia, Amsterdam, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, and more. No matter where I went, the pattern was the same: almost every presentation kicked off with warnings about water scarcity. The threat is real, and the numbers are sobering: by 2025, 1.8 billion people are expected to live in regions facing “absolute” water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world’s population could be under stress. But after hearing this message on repeat, I believe it’s time for us as an industry to break out of this loop. We need to change the conversation.

For years, our sector has sounded the alarm about scarcity, drought, and crisis. These warnings have raised awareness, but they’ve also become a convenient excuse for political inaction. As technology providers, innovators, and utilities, we have the power—and the responsibility—to shift the narrative. It’s time to focus on what’s possible, not just what’s missing.

Too often, politicians and officials fall back on water scarcity as a reason for delay or half-hearted measures. “There’s only so much we can do; water is running out”, they say. But scarcity isn’t always about a lack of water. More often, it’s about a lack of action, investment, and ownership. Global water use is rising at more than twice the rate of population growth, but we have far more tools at our disposal than we did even a decade ago.

Let’s start with the good news: we’re not short on solutions. Desalination is now cheaper and greener, thanks to advances in materials and renewable energy. Decentralised water systems, once dismissed as too expensive or unreliable, have become cost-competitive and robust, thanks to modern treatment tech, real-time monitoring, and modular design. Nanotechnology and biotechnology are letting us filter and purify water at the molecular level, opening new doors for safe reuse. Utilities are using smart sensors and analytics to find and fix leaks before they become disasters, and wastewater recycling is becoming mainstream. These aren’t just theoretical fixes; they’re working right now.

In Singapore, water security relies on relentless innovation and integrated planning. The “Four National Taps” strategy— local catchments, imported water, NEWater (recycled), and desalination—ensures a resilient, diversified supply. NEWater already meets 40% of demand, with a goal of 55% by 2060. The Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant treats both seawater and reservoir water, optimising energy use. Importantly, Singapore has transformed public perception, making recycled water a source of national pride.

Time to change the water conversation: why we must lead with solutions, not scarcity

Hong Kong also excels in water management. Its Total Water Management Strategy, updated in 2019, focuses on managing demand and diversifying supply. Public education, mandatory water-saving devices, and aggressive leakage control help contain demand, while seawater flushing (used by 80% of residents) reduces freshwater use by up to 20%.

"It’s about resilience, energy savings, and building a future that works for everyone, even as populations grow and the climate changes"

Namibia, the driest country in southern Africa, is a model of resilience. Windhoek has pioneered potable water reuse since 1968. Today, the New Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant supplies about a quarter of the city’s needs by blending treated wastewater with dam water. Namibia’s Managed Aquifer Recharge program stores surplus water underground for droughts. In rural areas, community management empowers locals to operate water points, boosting efficiency and ownership. Rural access to potable water now exceeds 92%.

Orange County, California, sets another benchmark. Its Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) is the world’s largest advanced water purification project for indirect potable reuse, producing up to 130 million gallons daily, enough for a million residents. The GWRS purifies treated wastewater and recharges it

into the local groundwater basin, supplying up to a third of the county’s water with less energy than importing or desalination.

Dubai and the UAE are also leading in water recycling. Dubai now reuses 90% of its wastewater, aiming for 100% by 2030. The city delivers around 700,000 cubic metres of treated water daily for irrigation, cooling, and firefighting. The Jebel Ali plant processes 675,000 cubic metres a day, and new initiatives are recharging groundwater with recycled water. By 2030, Dubai expects to double recycled water output and save over half a billion dollars a year.

Now, we can also leverage industry as a powerful part of our arsenal. Industries are increasingly stepping up as essential partners in water solutions, driven by the water-positive concept. This means companies commit to returning more water to the environment than they consume, through efficiency, and by actively replenishing local sources and improving water quality. When industry draws less from aquifers, maximises reuse, and discharges cleaner water, it competes less with local communities and reduces pollution, making water more available for everyone.

At Desalytics, we’ve made it a strategic priority to focus on industrial clients because we see their pivotal role in water sustainability. Globally, more companies are embracing water positivity. Microsoft is running over 90 water replenishment and access projects in 25 locations, including stormwater capture in Madrid (up to 200 million litres annually), AI-driven leak detection in London and Phoenix, and major restoration efforts in Mexico. Coca-Cola has improved water efficiency by 20% over 2004 levels, saving about 50 billion litres of freshwater in a single year, and is investing in wetland restoration and replenishment in key basins worldwide. Amazon aims to be water positive by 2030, funding projects that will return nearly 1.85 billion gallons of water annually to watersheds in Brazil, China, Chile, and the U.S., and supporting conservation along Chile’s Maipo River. Dow’s Terneuzen facility in the Netherlands reuses 2.5 million cubic metres of water per year, cutting energy use by 96.5%.

These are just a few examples of how industry can drive innovation, reduce stress on aquifers, and set off a ripple effect of water security for communities.

What all these examples prove is that when the conversation shifts from scarcity to solutions, governments and industries step up. Singapore’s “Four National Taps,” Hong Kong’s multi-pronged management, Namibia’s pioneering reuse and aquifer recharge, Orange County’s groundwater replenishment,

Dubai’s massive recycling push, and now the water positive movement in industry—all show what’s possible when we focus on what can be done, not just what’s missing.

This isn’t just about supply. It’s about resilience, energy savings, and building a future that works for everyone, even as populations grow and the climate changes.

Those of us building, running, and inventing the world’s water systems have a unique responsibility. Every time we pitch a new

"Water abundance isn’t a fantasy; it’s a choice. The more we talk about what’s working, the harder it becomes for officials to use old excuses"

project, share a success story, or talk to policymakers, we’re shifting the focus from limits to possibilities. Water abundance isn’t a fantasy, it’s a choice. The more we talk about what’s working, the harder it becomes for officials to hide behind old excuses.

This isn’t just PR. It’s about creating the momentum and political will we need to get things done. When industry, the public, and the media all speak the language of solutions, real change follows.

Let’s Be the Voice of Solutions. Let’s stop being the echo chamber of crisis. Let’s become the megaphone for answers. The technology is here. The models work. The need is urgent. If we change the conversation, we can unlock the political will and alignment needed to deliver water security for all. The era of water abundance is within reach. Let’s lead the way, and make it happen.

Choosing the right evaporator for wastewater and sludge

In order for evaporation to be both effective and energy (and therefore economically) efficient, a number of factors need to be considered, including the nature of the material to be evaporated; what is to be done with both the vapour or condensate and the remaining residue; the evaporation technique to be used; and the energy source/s available.

Z Arnold Kleijn, European Sales Director, HRS Heat Exchangers

Whether you are looking to reduce the volume of sludge, extract valuable materials from the waste stream, or even implement a full Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) treatment solution, there is a wide range of equipment types and designs available from numerous manufacturers. This means that choosing the right solution, from the right supplier, can seem daunting, but posing the right questions at the beginning of the procurement and design process can prevent future misunderstandings and ensure that you arrive at the optimal product or system for your specific requirements.

Some of these key questions to ask any potential heat exchanger supplier include the following.

What evaporation method should I use?

Over the last couple of years, we have seen increased client interest in using me-

Over the last couple of years, we have seen increased client interest in using mechanical vapour recompression (MVR) techniques for evaporation

chanical vapour recompression (MVR) techniques for evaporation. Given the turbulent rise and fall of energy markets since 2020, this is understandable, as the electrical energy employed in MVR is normally considerably cheaper than the thermal energy needed for traditional evaporation. However, there are a number of limiting factors and key considerations when using MVR – particularly for very thick and viscous products like digestate and sludges – which can add to the capital cost (and complexity) of an MVR-based evaporation solution. It is therefore very important that all these elements are considered from the outset, so that an accurate investment decision based on both capital (Capex) and operational (Opex) costs can be made.

What are the differences between MVR and traditional evaporation?

Traditional evaporation techniques use a high temperature service fluid (such as pressurised steam) to raise the temperature of the product above its boiling point so that water (and other volatile compounds) is driven off, leaving a more concentrated solution. The principal source of energy for this process is therefore the fuel used to heat

the water (steam) in the boiler, such as gas or oil.

In MVR, the steam which comes off the product in the evaporator is channelled into a compressor which increases the pressure (and therefore the temperature). This steam, which is now above the boiling point of the product, is then used as the service fluid for the evaporator.

Digestates and sludges are challenging to evaporate because of their physical and chemical properties

As the compressor uses an electric motor, the process is driven by electricity rather than thermal energy. Because the compressor reuses/recycles evaporated steam, a lot of latent heat is recovered.

This makes MVR one of the cheapest methods of evaporating water in terms of operational costs.

Traditional evaporation techniques use a high temperature service fluid

(such as pressurised steam) to raise the temperature of the product above its boiling point so that water (and other volatile compounds) is driven off, leaving a more concentrated solution. The principal source of energy for this process is therefore the fuel used to heat the water (steam) in the boiler, such as gas or oil.

What are the limitations of MVR?

Because of the way MVR works, there are some inherent limitations in the process that traditional thermal evaporation does not suffer from. When evaporating at atmospheric pressure, depending on the type of compressor, the temperature rise provided by the compressor is typically between 8°C and 15°C. The relatively small temperature difference between the service fluid and the boiling point of the product (~100°C) means that heat transfer between the two is limited, and you need a large surface area to achieve it. To put it simply, you need a large heat exchanger.

In contrast, boilers can deliver maximum steam pressure of up to 8 or 10 bar, meaning an effective temperature of 160°C or 180°C. Even if general operation is below these levels, the fact is that steam from a boiler will be considerably hotter than from a compressor. The greater temperature difference means that less transfer surface area is required, and you can utilise a much smaller heat exchanger.

Because of the thick nature and high fouling potential of many digestates and sludges, in most cases you need a relative-

There are several limiting factors when using MVR –particularly for very thick and viscous products like digestate and sludges

When choosing an evaporation solution for digestate and sludge, it is important to accurately compare all capital and operating costs

Because of the way MVR works, there are some inherent limitations in the process that traditional thermal evaporation does not suffer from

ly large surface area to achieve sufficient heat transfer. Because of the limitations off compressors in terms of service fluid temperature, the required heat exchangers and pumps can be exceptionally large indeed. Not only does this increase the capital cost significantly, but as you need larger pumps to push the product through the larger heat exchanger, you also require more energy for operation, so the operational cost benefits begin to reduce.

What type of heat exchanger is best for evaporation?

The simplest heat exchangers are plate heat exchangers (PHEs), which consist of combinations of plates and gaskets through which the product and the heating or cooling medium move, but the highly viscous nature of most effluents and sludges means that tubular or scraped surface heat exchangers are more effective.

Tubular heat exchangers consist of different combinations of tubes within

The greater temperature difference means that less transfer surface area is required, and you can utilise a much smaller heat exchanger

tubes, and come in different forms, including those with corrugated tubes. Corrugated tubes increase product turbulence compared to smooth tubes (which are

more common), which prevents fouling and improves operating efficiency.

For high fouling materials and evaporation, the HRS Unicus Series of scraped

For high fouling materials and evaporation processes, scraped surface heat exchangers (SSHEs) are the best choice

surface heat exchangers (SSHEs) are the best choice.

What are the specific issues with digestate and sludges?

Digestate and sludges often contain suspended solids, which increase the viscosity of the product when evaporated, adding further to the challenges described above. Therefore, if you want to use MVR evaporation, you will need to pre-treat the product to remove as many of these solids as possible, usually via filtration, in order to achieve the necessary rates of heat transfer in the heat exchanger. Again, adding this pre-treatment step adds significant capital costs and reduces potential energy savings during operation.

Digestate also typically contains between 2,000 ppm and 3,000 ppm of ammonia. Pre-treating the product with acid to reduce the pH can neutralise the ammonia, preventing it from evaporating and reducing the risk of damage to the compressor, but once again, this need for acid dosing adds additional cost and operational complexity. You also need to consider the nature of the material and the

necessary combination of chemical and physical pre-treatment.

As no two sludges are the same, at HRS we always test the material that any client will be working with in order to determine not only the best heat exchanger solution for the evaporation process, but also what pre-treatment may be necessary.

How can you boost energy efficiency without MVR?

The last few years have highlighted the importance of energy costs to businesses, both from an economic and environmental perspective. Some heat exchanger designs are more energy efficient than others (for example, the use of corrugated tubes improves energy efficiency). In addition, heat exchangers may be able to recover heat from the end of the process and reuse it (known as heat regeneration).

Although potential energy cost savings need to be offset against the capital and running costs of the heat exchanger, your heat exchanger supplier should be able to provide details of the efficiency of all aspects of their equipment and offer heat regeneration where it is desirable.

What else should I consider?

Some suppliers like HRS will also offer extra levels of customisation, allowing you to specify particular brands of components or controllers – for example, to comply with existing factory maintenance contracts or traceability systems. If necessary, you should ask your potential heat exchanger supplier how much influence you, as the client, have on the final design and construction of the system.

If you consider all of these factors from the outset of the procurement process, then you can be sure of getting the right solution for your sludge or digestate evaporation requirements the first time.

The last few years have highlighted the importance of energy costs to businesses, both from an economic and environmental perspective

HRS has extensive experience in evaporating digestate, sludge and manure

The EU Water Resilience Strategy and what it means for Europe

JESSIKA ROSWALL - COMMISSIONER

At the beginning of June, the European Commission unveiled its long-awaited Water Resilience Strategy, setting out a call for a more coordinated and determined European response to escalating water-related pressures. Developed under the leadership of Commissioner Jessika Roswall, the strategy positions investment, innovation, and stronger implementation of existing laws as the core pillars of Europe’s effort to address growing water stress and build long-term resilience.

The European Water Resilience Strategy marks a decisive shift in how the EU approaches water management. By emphasising integrated governance, efficient resource use, nature-based solutions, innovation, and cross-sector cooperation, the strategy offers a comprehensive pathway to secure Europe's water future. As climate pressures mount, the implementation of this strategy will be vital not only for protecting ecosystems and public health but also for ensuring Europe’s economic competitiveness and long-term stability.

During the Strategy’s launch, Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, said: “Drought, flooding and extreme weather events are now the new normal. The situation is alarming. We also have figures showing that 30% of the European Union's land faces scarcity every year, so water is under huge stress. This is why the European Commission has put forward this important Water Resilience Strategy — because we need to act now.”

She further underlined, “Water is not like any other resource. It’s life — we all need it. And we face huge stress in Europe and around the world when it comes to water. We have challenges not

only with water quality but also with quantity. And it's not just one country facing these challenges — it’s all countries in Europe.”

Europe is warming faster than any other continent. Increasingly severe droughts, catastrophic floods, and prolonged dry spells are becoming the norm. Floods have caused an estimated €325 billion in losses between 1980 and 2023. At the same time, economic activities, population growth, and environmental degradation are further pressuring water resources. These stresses are not only environmental concerns but also pose risks to economic stability, social cohesion, and the EU’s global competitiveness.

Water scarcity is increasingly systemic, affecting 34% of the EU’s territory and 40% of its population at least seasonally.

Climate change is expected to exacerbate these challenges further, with river discharges potentially declining by up to 40% during summers under high warming scenarios. The cascading impacts of water shortages are felt across sectors: agriculture faces yield losses; industries risk production halts; power generation becomes vulnerable; and households experience interruptions in water supply.

The principles of the strategy

At the core of the Strategy lies the principle of “Water Efficiency First,” emphasising the need to prioritise demand management before expanding supply. “We need to think about being more efficient when it comes to water. That’s why we are promoting the Water Efficiency First Principle. The objective is for the EU to

At the core of the Strategy lies the principle of “Water Efficiency

Z Olivia Tempest and Cristina Novo

The

Strategy establishes an EU-wide objective to enhance water efficiency by 10% by 2030, encouraging Member States to set their own targets

use water 10% more efficiently by 2030,” said Roswall.

This approach reflects lessons from energy policy, where efficiency-first principles have become standard practice. According to the Commission’s Recommendation on Guiding Principles of Water Efficiency First, increasing water efficiency across sectors is not optional but a bare necessity. Water managers are encouraged to prioritise measures that reduce water demand before seeking additional resources through new reservoirs, desalination, or other supply-side interventions.

The strategy establishes an EU-wide objective to enhance water efficiency by at least 10% by 2030, while encouraging Member States to set their own context-specific targets. This objective reflects both the urgent need to manage existing resources sustainably and the economic potential of water efficiency investments; however, some observers note that the target remains voluntary and would benefit from greater clarity on baseline measurements, sector-specific roadmaps, and implementation mechanisms.

During the press conference, Commissioner Roswall responded to concerns about the non-binding nature of the 10% target: “For me, it’s clear that we need targets and objectives to aim for. But I’m also very aware that the situation varies greatly across Member States and regions. It’s important to note that

we need a solid methodology for how to measure progress.”

“The reason we mention the 10% target is that the European Environment Agency has put forward a new report highlighting both the challenges and opportunities across different sectors for improving water efficiency. I’m very mindful that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but having a common goal helps us move forward. This is why we aim for a 10% overall improvement across the EU, while allowing flexibility for Member States to define how to reach that target.”

Restoring and protecting the water cycle

A central pillar of the Water Resilience Strategy is the restoration and protection of Europe’s disrupted water cycle. Healthy ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and soils are vital for storing, purifying, and releasing water. However, overextraction, land-use changes, pollution, and climate change have severely impaired these natural functions.

The Commission will not propose new legislation, but will prioritise the full implementation of existing EU legislation, including the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive, and the Nature Restoration Regulation. Structured Dialogues with Member States will guide the enforcement of these rules, while technical assistance will support national and regional authorities in closing implementation gaps.

“I will not propose any new legislation. There is already a substantial body of legislation on water — on the sustainable use of water, the Water Framework Directive, and other directives. The legal framework is in place, but we need to focus on implementation. I will support Member States and encourage dialogue between them on how best to implement the existing legislation,” stated Commissioner Roswall.

To enhance natural water retention, the Commission will launch the "Sponge Facility", aimed at scaling up nature-based solutions that restore the sponge-like capacity of landscapes to absorb and store water. This integrated approach extends from rural landscapes to urban environments, where "sponge cities" will employ green infrastructure to manage stormwater and prevent urban flooding.

To enhance natural water retention, the Commission will launch the "Sponge Facility", aimed at scaling up nature-based solutions

Building a water-smart economy

Economic sectors must adapt their water use to ensure resilience. Agriculture, energy, industry, and public water supply represent the lion’s share of Europe’s water abstraction. According to the European Environment Agency, cooling power plants account for 36% of abstraction, agriculture 29%, public supply 19%, and manufacturing 14%. Each sector presents unique opportunities for savings.

In addressing industrial water use, Roswall commented: “It’s clear that businesses themselves recognise they need to address water scarcity to remain competitive. That’s why innovation is so important.”

“This effort isn’t just about what the Commission or Member States do — we need to work together with industry as well. I would add that raising awareness

is a key part of this strategy. Since becoming Commissioner, I’ve seen a growing recognition of the urgency of the water situation in Europe. We’re talking about it more, and this strategy marks the beginning of a journey. We will continue to have dialogue with all stakeholders, including industry, to see what we can do together.”

In agriculture, improvements in irrigation efficiency, smart farming technologies, and crop selection offer the potential to reduce water use by up to 20%. The CAP Strategic Plans will support investments in precision irrigation, soil health, and sustainable farming practices. The Emilia-Romagna region in Italy has already demonstrated the power of digital solutions: its IRRINET system has cut agricultural water demand by 20% without sacrificing yields.

In the industrial sector, pilot projects will promote closed-loop water systems and waterless technologies. The revised Industrial Emissions Directive will drive large industrial facilities to minimise water abstraction and reuse wastewater where feasible. The Commission also aims to integrate water use parameters into sustainability ratings for industries such as data centres, semiconductors, and battery manufacturing.

For the public water supply, leakage reduction remains a priority. On average, one-third of drinking water is lost before reaching consumers, with some Member States experiencing losses exceeding 40%. Modernising infrastructure with digital smart metering and remote sensing can dramatically improve efficiency. The Drinking Water Directive requires Member States with high leakage rates to develop national action plans by 2030. As Commissioner Roswall explained, “We have leakages averaging 30% across the continent. This figure, of course, varies from one Member State to another, but it remains a major challenge — and also an opportunity to use digitalisation to address the problem.” She added, “We are teaming up with the EIB, which will substantially increase its funding for water resilience, with €15 billion committed over the next three years.” Highlighting innovation in the sector, Roswall continued, “We have good examples of how AI can help reduce leakages. One strong example comes from Bulgaria, where AI technology was able to detect leakages with 99% accuracy. I want to emphasise the importance of the innovation already

On average, one-third of drinking water is lost before reaching consumers, with some Member States experiencing losses exceeding 40%

The Commission will mobilise private capital through the creation of nature credit markets and incentives for green investments

happening in Europe. In fact, 40% of global innovations in the water sector are developed here. We need to build on that and scale it up. That’s why it’s also crucial to strengthen research and foster public–private cooperation.”

Reusing treated wastewater is another crucial measure. Today, only 2.4% of wastewater is reused in the EU. The Commission will support Member States through guidance and capacity building to expand safe water reuse beyond agriculture into industrial processes and urban applications. As Commissioner Roswall noted, “We use a lot of water, but we don’t reuse much of it. Although the situation varies across Member States, countries like Cyprus, Spain, and others are very good at water reuse. However, there are other Member States that have the potential to do better.”

Asked about the implications of the strategy for consumers, Commissioner Roswall said: “For me, it’s about a change of mindset — not only for policymakers, but also for industry, farmers, and consumers. We all need to rethink how we approach water. That’s why we introduced the Water Efficiency Principle. This applies to consumers as well.”

“Water is a finite resource — we need to be mindful of that. It’s important to think about both quantity and quality. In Europe, water is polluted, and this is something consumers are very aware of and concerned about. I take that concern seriously. We need to raise awareness about this and also think about how we can ensure cleaner water while

being more sustainable in how we use products.”

Investments and innovation for resilience

Achieving water resilience requires substantial investments. Currently, annual water investments total around €78 billion, yet an estimated €23 billion gap remains. To close this, the Commission is launching the Water Resilience Investment Accelerator, supporting 20 pilot projects for natural water retention and efficiency innovations. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide over €15 billion for water infrastructure, while cohesion policy funds will direct an additional €24 billion to water-related projects during the 2021–2027 period. “We know there is a need for €78 billion in funding per year,” said Commissioner Roswall. “We have funding for up to two-thirds of this, from national sources, cohesion funds, and Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) money, but there is still a gap. The EIB’s new €15 billion is a significant increase and will help boost the private investment side.”

To bridge this gap further, the Commission will mobilise private capital through the creation of nature credit markets and incentives for green investments. “Further dialogue with industry is needed to boost and attract more private funding. We are going to put forward a roadmap on major credit initiatives, which will also be part of the private funding effort. This Strategy also includes a platform to help boost

funding from both private and EU sources.” Moreover, the Clean Industrial Deal recognises water-efficient technologies as a competitiveness driver, opening new markets for Europe’s water technology SMEs and startups.

Research and innovation are equally critical. The Water Resilience R&I Strategy and the Water Smart Industrial Alliance will stimulate technology development and knowledge transfer. The Commission also plans to establish a Knowledge and Innovation Community on water under the European Institute of

The Water Resilience R&I Strategy and the Water Smart Industrial Alliance will stimulate technology development and knowledge transfer

Technology, fostering entrepreneurship and skills development.

Security and preparedness

Water resilience is not only about longterm sustainability but also about crisis preparedness. The Commission will strengthen early warning systems for floods and droughts, enhance monitoring of critical water infrastructure, and bolster the EU’s solidarity toolbox to respond rapidly to disasters. Collaboration with NATO will help protect critical water infrastructure from hybrid threats

and cyberattacks. Although the Commissioner emphasised that “The strategy does not focus specifically on cybersecurity, but rather on how we can use digitalisation to improve efficiency. From a broader perspective on water, it’s about our preparedness and resilience.”

Special attention will be given to vulnerable groups and regions, ensuring that water resilience efforts promote social cohesion and leave no one behind. Access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation remains a core objective of the EU’s social pillar.

The European Water Resilience Strategy thus represents a historic opportunity for Europe’s water sector and policymakers alike. As Europe faces accelerating climate threats, water professionals across the continent are called upon to bring their expertise, innovation, and leadership to build a water-resilient Europe for generations to come.

The European Water Resilience Strategy represents a major political acknowledgement of the mounting water crisis and sets a wide-ranging framework for long-term action. It brings water firmly into the heart of EU policy, highlighting the need for investment, innovation, and better implementation of existing laws to safeguard Europe’s water future.

Yet, as the climate emergency deepens, many in the water and environmental community caution that ambition must now be matched with concrete delivery. Critics point to the non-binding nature of the 10% efficiency target and limited financial clarity for scaling up nature-based solutions. The decision to reopen the cost analysis of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme has also sparked concern, with NGOs warning it could create legal and financial uncertainty and delay the rollout of essential pollution-reduction measures.

For all its promise, the success of the Water Resilience Strategy will depend not on words, but on the pace and integrity of its implementation and on ensuring that environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic efficiency move forward hand in hand.

ALEJANDRO STURNIOLO

HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY, AQUA POSITIVE

To look ahead, we must start by looking back - not out of nostalgia, but with strategic intent. We've developed technologies that once seemed like science fiction, yet over 2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation. If we continue repeating the same design and implementation errors, by 2050, over 3 billion people could face the same exclusion. This future is avoidable. Still, the symptoms worsen: scarcity, excess, and contamination, all driven by a disrupted water cycle and a climate crisis amplifying its effects across every basin on the planet. A once virtuous cycle is now misaligned, not due to a lack of technology, but due to a lack of knowledge and systemic application.

It has been 46 years since the 1977 Mar del Plata summit - the first global water conference—followed by the 2023 UN Water Conference in New York. In that time, the world’s population has doubled—from 4 to over 8 billion—and so has the production of goods, food, and energy, intensifying pressure on ecosystems, aquifers, and rivers. Entire generations have grown up without learning that water is central to sustainability. Without blue, there is no green. And today, we are paying the price for that educational gap. This imbalance reveals a historic oversight: while sustainability took root as a global agenda, water was left behind. “Green” became the symbol of ecology, yet all green life depends on blue. Without water, there is no photosynthesis, no cooling, no carbon sequestration. No regeneration. A sustainability vision without water at its core is not just incomplete—it’s naïve.

Water Positive: redefining the centre of gravity

This is where the Water Positive approach becomes essential, as the connective tissue of a new logic of sustainability. Being Water Positive means returning more water to the environment than is withdrawn—and doing so in a way that is measurable, traceable, and additional. It's not about offsetting; it’s about actively regenerating the hydrological cycle, restoring ecosystem functions, and addressing planetary imbalances.

As Dr María Neira (WHO) noted, we've broken the natural water cycle by extracting more than the Earth can purify. This has led to three interconnected symptoms of the same systemic failure: scarcity in some areas, excess in others, and pollution that affects us all.

The Water Positive model aims to correct this by activating hydrological functions like infiltration, aquifer recharge, and soil retention, while also generating new water through rainwater harvesting, reuse, and sustainable desalination. The goal is to reduce

Reclaiming water’s future: a Water Positive strategy for the 21st century

net impact throughout the value chain and strengthen ecosystem resilience.

Its strategic leverage becomes clear when grounded in SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), which tackles the root cause of water stress: nearly 90% of water is consumed indirectly as embedded “virtual water” in goods and services. SDG 6, while critical, often lacks the investment and policy agility to address these deeper dynamics.

"Being

Water Positive means returning more water to the environment than is withdrawn—in a way that is measurable, traceable, and additional"

By adopting SDG 12, Water Positive companies shift from compensating to rebalancing. Their interventions align with double materiality and frameworks like the CSRD, making water stewardship a shared infrastructure for restoration across the basin. It’s about producing while reinvesting in the systems that sustain us, turning formerly sidelined solutions into scalable sources of regenerative value. And in doing so, they activate impact that spans both water quantity and quality, traced from intent to outcome, with the transparency and accountability that true stewardship requires.

From model to practice: processes that regenerate These transformations require more than investments or advanced technology—they demand a new model of water governance,

where regeneration is not optional, but the core purpose. This is where water stewardship becomes the operational framework of the Water Positive model: a way to embed shared responsibility, basin logic, and co-management between companies, governments, and communities.

The following five processes represent different ways to activate the Water Positive approach, combining technical effectiveness, scalability, and governance mechanisms aligned with double materiality and SDG integration. They help identify emerging strategies that generate positive water impact in terms of quantity, quality, and location:

Efficient and regenerative agriculture. Efficient irrigation—like drip systems, sensors, or drought-resistant crops—can cut water use by up to 25%, offering quick, measurable results without altering production models. Ideal for short-term goals. Regenerative agriculture targets long-term outcomes: restoring soil, improving retention, capturing carbon, and boosting biodiversity via cover crops, compost, and no-till practices.

Reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW). About 35% of treated water is lost to leaks, theft, or metering errors. Reducing NRW recovers water already extracted and treated, boosts energy efficiency, and eases pressure on freshwater sources. This appeals to utilities, municipalities, and developers seeking measurable gains within operational scopes.

Rainwater harvesting. This merges ancestral practice with modern innovation. Collecting rain from rooftops, cisterns, and storage systems eases demand on aquifers and surface waters. As a decentralized source, it needs quality assurance—not just volume—especially for recharge or use. It must also address contaminants like microplastics and PFAS. Valued for scalability and versatility, it supports climate-resilient communities.

Water reuse and recycling. A core of circular systems, this treats wastewater or process water for reuse in irrigation, industry, or non-potable uses. It cuts withdrawals, stabilizes supply, and aligns with circular economy goals. Under Water Positive, reuse must be additional and meet strict standards—including for emerging contaminants. It’s vital in cities, mining, agribusiness, and all water-intensive sectors. Quality is as critical as volume.

Sustainable desalination. Once energy-intensive, modern desalination—especially reverse osmosis—is now highly efficient, nearing theoretical limits. Purifying a glass of water uses energy comparable to an internet search. It adds new water without stressing inland sources and plays a growing role in strategic planning.

Regeneration as competitive advantage

These processes go beyond shared technologies or isolated metrics—they illustrate the types of projects that leading corporations are now prioritizing. The more effectively we measure, register, and trace them—accounting for both quantity and quality, and aligning with SDGs—the greater their regenerative and strategic value. This approach transforms water action into tangible, auditable impact, but it also demands accountability: not only for what is done,

"Water Positive is not a label—it is a strategy that connects efficiency with justice, regeneration with productivity, and metrics with meaning"

but for what results. That’s the difference between implementing a solution and exercising true stewardship.

Water is not a mere input—it is the foundation of any sustainable future. Water Positive is not a label—it is a strategy that connects efficiency with justice, regeneration with productivity, and metrics with meaning. What was once considered a cost or a philanthropic gesture is now evolving into distributed infrastructure.

Because in the 21st century, being Water Positive is not about giving back what was taken. It’s about regenerating what others still continue to drain. And doing it before it’s too late, because 2050 will only be dystopian if we fail to change the present. The future isn’t written. It’s designed by the decisions we make today.

Saudi Water Partnership Company advances sustainability with Shuaibah 3 Desalination Plant transformation

Spearheaded by the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), the Shuaibah 3 Desalination Plant, once a heavy energy consumer, is being revitalised into a cutting-edge, eco-friendly facility powered by reverse osmosis and renewable energy. In this feature, SWPC reveals how the project is setting a new benchmark for efficiency, innovation, and environmental stewardship across the region.

As part of its mission to promote sustainability and ensure a secure water future for the Kingdom, the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) continues to lead in enabling private sector participation in water infrastructure development. One of the most significant milestones in this effort is the transformation of the Shuaibah 3 Desalination Plant, a project that exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

For years, Shuaibah 3 operated using Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) technology, which played a key role in meeting water demands but required intensive energy input and produced substantial carbon

The Shuaibah 3 Independent Water Project (IWP) involves the construction of a seawater desalination facility based on RO technology

emissions. In response to the growing need for sustainable solutions, SWPC initiated the plant’s conversion to the more efficient and environmentally friendly Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology.

The revamped project, now known as the Shuaibah 3 Independent Water Project (IWP), involves the construction of a seawater desalination facility based on RO technology. Located in the Shuaibah region of the Kingdom, the plant will produce 600,000 cubic metres of potable water per day. Seawater will be drawn via a seawater intake system using Seawater Supply Pumps (SSPs) and treated through Dual Media Pressure Filters and Cartridge Filters before reaching the RO membranes. The plant's power requirements will be met by the national grid SA and a 65 MWp captive solar PV system, adding a renewable energy component to further reduce environmental impact.

The plant’s conversion is being delivered under a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model with a 25-year contract

term, involving a total investment of SAR 3.079 billion (USD 821 million). The project development company is the Shuaibah Three Water Desalination Company (STWD), a consortium led by ACWA Power, which holds a 48% stake, in partnership with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and HAACO, which own the remaining 52%. The project achieved financial closure in October 2022, and commenced commercial operation on 07th May 2025.

This initiative has already demonstrated clear environmental and economic ben-

efits, including fuel savings of up to 22 million barrels of oil equivalent annually and an annual reduction of approximately 9.7 million tons of carbon emissions. These improvements not only enhance operational efficiency but also support national targets for emissions reduction and fuel optimisation. Additionally, the

transition to RO technology has resulted in a significant reduction in water tariffs, with a 45% decrease in operating costs compared to the former MSF system. This transformation is poised to provide a reliable and cost-effective water supply while contributing to environmental sustainability.

Key technical and logistical challenges

Converting the Shuaibah 3 plant from MSF to RO technology posed several technical and logistical challenges. One of the primary concerns was maintaining a continuous water supply during the transition. Ensuring that the water demand was met without interruption required careful planning and coordination.

Another substantial hurdle was restructuring existing Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP) agreements. This required close collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), the Ministry of Finance, the National Center for Privatization (NCP), the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), Water Transmission and Technologies Company (WTTCO), and the Saudi Water Authority (SWA). Managing the expectations and requirements of these stakeholders was critical for ensuring a smooth transition.

Lessons for other desalination facilities

The Shuaibah 3 IWP sets an important precedent for the conversion of ageing desalination plants across the region and globally. Some key lessons that can be applied to similar projects include:

1. Tariff reduction and lower energy consumption: The shift to RO technology has resulted in substantial fuel savings and reduced energy consumption, contributing to lower operating costs and reduced tariffs.

2. Reduced CO2 emissions: The transition from MSF to RO technology

The plant's power requirements will be met by the national grid SA and a 65 MWp captive solar PV system, adding a renewable energy component

The plant’s conversion is being delivered under a BOO model with a 25-year contract term, involving a total investment of USD 821 million

has led to an important reduction in carbon emissions, with an estimated annual decrease of 9.7 million tons.

3. Modularity and scalability: The RO system is modular, which allows for phased upgrades and easier scalability. This makes it an ideal solution for other ageing desalination plants looking to improve their efficiency.

4. Robust pretreatment systems: RO systems are more sensitive to feedwater quality, making the establishment of a robust pretreatment system essential for the plant's success.

5. Operator training: While the transition was relatively smooth, it highlighted the importance of proper training for operators to ensure effective operation and maintenance of the new system.

6. Stakeholder engagement: Early and transparent engagement with stakeholders, especially SEC and other parties involved in the project, is crucial to ensuring that timelines and expectations are met.

Facilitating private sector involvement with the BOO model

The BOO model has proven to be a successful framework for facilitating greater private sector involvement in public water infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. The key advantages of this model include:

1. Encouraging investment: By incentivizing private companies to retain ownership and earn long-term revenue, the BOO model attracts significant investment in critical infrastructure projects.

2. Reducing public financial burden: The model helps reduce the financial burden on the government by avoiding large upfront capital expenditures.

3. Promoting efficiency and innovation: Private sector involvement fosters efficiency in construction and operation, as well as the adoption of innovative technologies such as solar PV and advanced desalination systems.

4. Boosting local content: The model encourages the development of local industries and the creation of job opportunities within Saudi Arabia, helping to boost local content.

Environmental implications of the transition

The environmental benefits of transitioning from MSF to RO technology

go beyond reducing carbon emissions. The reduction in energy consumption has contributed to a significant decrease in the use of fossil fuels, while the addition of a solar PV system ensures that the plant's power needs are partially met by renewable energy. However, one of the ongoing environmental considerations is the impact of brine discharge on marine ecosystems. The plant’s design includes measures to minimise the environmental impact of brine disposal, ensuring that the surrounding marine environment is protected.

The integration of a 65 MWp solar PV system into the Shuaibah 3 IWP has had a notable impact on the plant's energy

consumption. With solar power contributing to the plant's electricity needs, the facility has achieved a competitive specific power consumption of 2.52 kWh/m3

This innovative use of renewable energy has not only enhanced the plant’s sustainability but has also demonstrated the feasibility of combining solar power with desalination technology to reduce costs and minimise environmental impact.

The transformation of the Shuaibah 3 Desalination Plant into a state-of-theart facility using RO technology is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s dedication to sustainability and innovation in water in-

frastructure. By integrating renewable energy, reducing environmental impact, and improving operational efficiency, this project serves as a model for the future of desalination in the Kingdom and beyond.

The transition to RO technology has resulted in reduced water tariffs, with a 45% decrease in operating costs compared to the former MSF system

“Pioneering a circular

future

for sanitation, wastewater treatment, and reuse”

BLANCA ANTIZAR - DIRECTOR OF CONSULTANCY AT ISLE UTILITIES

In a world where water scarcity and abundance often coexist, rethinking how we manage, treat, and reuse this vital resource has never been more critical. Professor Blanca Antizar is at the forefront of this water environmental transition, advocating for a shift in public perception, policy, and innovation within the water sector.

The vision for a circular water future is urgent, driven by climate change, water scarcity, and contaminants like PFAS.

The EU’s Water Resilience Strategy, endorsed in May 2025, offers a framework for transformation. We spoke with Professor Blanca Antizar, Director at Isle Utilities and iAgua Mujer del Año 2022, to explore how collective action, education, innovation, and business creation can deliver a resilient water system focused on sanitation, wastewater treatment, and reuse.

Why is collective action vital for the EU Water Resilience Strategy’s success in sanitation and reuse?

The strategy is a game-changer, recognising water as a shared resource needing a shared response. With 70% of EU regions facing water stress, as 470 MEPs noted, no single stakeholder—utility, municipality, or regulator—can address these challenges alone. Sanitation and wastewater treatment are critical, intersecting public health, environmental protection, and resource recovery. Wastewater is a potential source of water, energy, and nutrients, but circularity requires policymakers to set enabling regulations, industries to adopt innovations,

researchers to develop solutions, and communities to embrace reuse.

Isle’s Water Action Platform connects global utilities, tech providers, and regulators to share knowledge and accelerate circular practices. Projects like Horizon Europe CircSyst demonstrate this, with utilities testing reuse technologies, researchers optimising nutrient recovery, and policymakers ensuring safe reuse.

Can you share examples of how Isle is driving innovation in sanitation and reuse?

Innovation is the engine of progress in the water sector. Isle’s Trial Reservoir, a £1 million loan fund launched in 2021, supports trials of technologies at TRL 89, ready for real-world use. We’ve backed advanced PFAS filtration systems to address “forever chemicals” in wastewater, with our Technology Approval Group ensuring only effective solutions reach utilities. Smart wastewater systems, using AI to optimise treatment and reduce energy use, are vital for circularity—turning wastewater into a resource for irrigation or industrial use. Horizon Europe BOOST-IN, co-funded by the EU and UKRI, empowers SMEs to scale such technologies with funding and market

"Isle’s Water Action Platform connects global utilities, tech providers, and regulators to share knowledge and accelerate circular practices"

access, ensuring innovations reach communities.

Why is education critical alongside innovation, and how does it shape the water sector’s future?

Education, innovation, and business creation are interdependent. The water sector’s risk-averse nature requires a skilled workforce adept in circular practices. Through the IWA Leap Partnership Programme, we train water professionals in PFAS mitigation, reuse technologies, and adaptive governance. The Water Europe Skills and Human Resources Expert group addresses workforce development and talent retention. These programs foster a circular mindset, viewing wastewater as a resource. Webinars with Professor Jan Hofman, accessible via IWA Connect Plus, cover regulatory compliance and community engagement, equipping

"Our services help de-risk the development and commercialization of technologies, creating value and accelerating innovative solutions"

professionals to navigate technical and social challenges.

Public education is equally vital to overcome misconceptions about water security, such as the paradox in Spain, where visible

"By leading exploitation in EU-funded projects, we are building a panEuropean ecosystem that drives innovation and new businesses"

water abundance masks scarcity. A clear, sustained public outreach campaign— through schools, media, and community programs—can build trust in reuse and clarify the urgency of water conservation. This is a call to action: governments, utilities, and educators must prioritise public awareness to align perceptions with reality and drive sustainable behaviours.

How does supporting entrepreneurship advance sanitation and wastewater treatment?

Entrepreneurship bridges innovation and impact. Great ideas do not automatically become solutions—someone needs to bring them to market. SMEs are often the ones driving cutting-edge water technologies, but they face barriers like funding, market access, and regulatory barriers. That is where initiatives like Horizon Europe BOOST-IN come in. By providing SMEs with resources to scale, we are ensuring innovations like advanced membrane systems or nutrient recovery technologies reach utilities and communities.

"Governments,

utilities, and educators must prioritise public awareness to align perceptions with reality and drive sustainable behaviours"

Take resource recovery as an example. Startups are developing ways to extract phosphorus or nitrogen from wastewater for use as fertilisers, supporting circularity and reducing reliance on finite resources. But without support, these companies struggle to get past the pilot stage. By fostering entrepreneurship, we are not just creating businesses; we are creating ecosystems where innovation thrives, jobs are generated, and circular solutions become mainstream. This is especially important in sanitation, where scalable, cost-effective technologies can transform how we manage wastewater globally.

How will the circular economy shape sanitation and reuse, and what’s collaboration’s role?

The circular economy redefines wastewater as a resource, recovering water, energy, and nutrients. Horizon Europe CircSyst develops bioreactors for energy recovery and modular reuse systems, reducing waste and carbon footprints. Collaboration is key: CircSyst unites utilities, researchers, and industry, while our Water Action Platform enables global knowledge exchange by allowing, for example, a Spanish utility to learn from an Australian reuse project. This type of projects and strategies supported by community engagement, build trust, essential for reuse success.

What are the main challenges to a circular water future, and how can the water sector address them?

Fragmentation—silos among utilities, regulators, and industries—slows cir-

cular solution adoption. Risk-aversion, public misconceptions, and funding gaps for SMEs are barriers. Collaborative platforms like Isle’s Water Action Platform align stakeholders, while initiatives like Trial Reservoir de-risk innovations like PFAS filters. Education, including public outreach, builds skills and trust. Policymakers must create enabling regulations and funding. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s (EIT) upcoming Water, Marine, and Maritime Knowledge and Innovation Community (EIT Water), launching in 2026, will unite business, education, and research to drive innovation, support startups, and promote skills in areas like data analytics and sustainable blue economy practices, aligning with the EU Water Resilience

Strategy to strengthen circularity and resilience.

What is your vision for the water sector in 2030 in sanitation and reuse? By 2030, sanitation and reuse will anchor a circular economy. Wastewa -

ter plants will be resource hubs, producing water, energy, and nutrients at scale. AI-driven monitoring and advanced filtration will make treatment efficient and reuse accessible. Skilled professionals and informed communities will embrace reused water as a sustainable alternative source of water. This requires action now: policymakers advancing the EU strategy, industries adopting innovation, and educators preparing professionals and the public. At Isle, we drive this through trials, platforms, and partnerships, staying responsive to global water needs.

In summary

Professor Blanca Antizar’s insights highlight the urgency of transforming sanitation, wastewater treatment, and reuse. The paradox of water abundance amid scarcity, as seen, for example, in Spain, underscores the need for public education to align perceptions with reality. The EU Water Resilience Strategy offers a roadmap, but success hinges on collective action, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. A robust public outreach campaign is essential to foster trust and sustainable behaviours. By uniting stakeholders, empowering professionals, and scaling technologies, the water sector can build a circular, resilient future. As Antizar says, “The journey is complex, but a world where water is valued and sustained is within our reach.”

"Small and medium-sized enterprises often drive cutting-edge water technologies but face barriers like funding, market access, and regulations"

ROBERT BREARS

FOUNDER OF OUR FUTURE WATER

OPINION

Circular water economy: scaling reuse and recovery for climate-resilient systems

A circular water economy reimagines how water is managed: shifting from a linear model of extraction, use, and discharge to one where water is reused and recovered across sectors. In this system, every drop is optimised, and waste is minimised. As climate variability, water scarcity, and urbanisation intensify pressure on existing supplies, transitioning to a circular water economy is no longer optional but a necessity for long-term water security.

Moving toward circularity addresses three interconnected challenges: rising water demand, declining freshwater availability, and environmental degradation from effluent discharges. By embedding reuse into water systems, societies can reduce dependence on finite water sources, improve resilience, and decouple economic growth from water consumption.

At the centre of the circular water economy is water reuse: recovering water from sources such as treated wastewater and stormwater for productive uses. Reuse offers a reliable, climate-independent supply that supports industrial activity, agriculture, and urban needs. It reduces freshwater extraction and limits pollution by diverting wastewater from the environment, aligning with sustainability goals.

Technological innovation has made reuse more efficient and scalable. In industrial settings, closed-loop systems allow for continuous treatment and recirculation of water tailored to operational requirements. Membrane bioreactors, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and UV disinfection are widely used to treat process water for non-potable applications such as cooling and cleaning. These systems help industries lower freshwater use, reduce environmental impacts, and build operational resilience.

In agriculture, utilities increasingly provide “fit-for-purpose” recycled water for irrigation. This water is treated to quality standards suited to crop types, ensuring safety and productivity while conserving potable water. With reliable, year-round supplies of treated water, farmers can maintain yields in drought-prone regions, contributing to food security and sustainable land use. Recycled water also supports nutrient management and reduces costs related to access and transport.

Beyond engineered systems, nature-based solutions are vital in advancing circular water practices. Stormwater harvesting captures

rainfall from built surfaces and stores it for non-potable uses such as irrigation or industrial cooling. This reduces reliance on potable water and mitigates the impacts of runoff. Integrated with green infrastructure, these systems enhance biodiversity, reduce urban heat, and manage flood risks, while contributing to urban livability.

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is another nature-based pathway to reuse. It involves storing treated stormwater or wastewater in aquifers for later use, turning excess water into a strategic reserve. MAR improves groundwater availability, offsets over-abstraction, and provides a buffer during dry periods.

Stormwater management technologies are evolving to complement these processes. Advanced practices such as pre-treatment, subsurface storage, and disinfection make runoff safe for reuse. These systems support conservation, improve water quality, and

"At the centre of the circular water economy is water reuse: recovering water from treated wastewater and stormwater for productive uses"

strengthen the resilience of urban water systems in the face of extreme weather and population growth.

Realising the potential of a circular water economy requires more than infrastructure. It demands coherent governance, investment in monitoring and treatment technologies, and coordination across sectors. Clear reuse standards, financial incentives, and active stakeholder engagement are essential to drive adoption and build public confidence.

As climate and resource pressures grow, water reuse, enabled by both technology and nature, must become a mainstream part of water planning and investment. A circular water economy is not a distant aspiration but a practical response to urgent water challenges, offering a path toward more resilient, efficient, and sustainable systems.

SIMON GATCLIFFE

CEO OF ARVIA TECHNOLOGY

OPINION

PFAS destruction: the time is now

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – better known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” – are an increasingly hot topic in the water industry, and with good reason. The carbon-fluorine bond that defines this group of chemicals is among the strongest in nature, lending PFAS traits such as resistance to stains, water, and heat. Unfortunately, these traits are what has driven PFAS to become an incredibly popular additive to industrial and consumer goods alike.

However, the flip side of this powerful bond is that PFAS does not break down naturally. Combined with decades of widespread usage, this now means that PFAS can be found in almost every stage of the water cycle, with a recent study from The Royal Society of Chemistry finding that 35% and 37% of water courses in England and Wales contain medium or high-risk levels of PFOA and PFOS respectively - just two of over 14,000 chemicals classed under the PFAS umbrella.

As expected, PFAS have in turn been a key target of environmental legislation in recent years, with many countries aiming to address the presence of PFAS in drinking water. However, these currently vary from nation to nation, and are even surprisingly lax in some cases.

In my native UK, for instance, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) recently introduced guidance which requires water companies to enforce a cumulative limit of 100 nanograms per litre for the sum of 48 named PFAS. However, as the name suggests, this remains strictly “guidance” at present, with a statutory limit not yet in place.

The European Union, by contrast, appears to have taken a harder line, with legally binding limits in place since 2021 via the Drinking Water Directive (DWD). These are 100 nanograms per litre for the sum of 20 PFAS, and 500 nanograms per litre for PFAS as a whole. In the US, legislation is even tighter, with PFAS and PFOS facing limits of 4 nanograms per litre –the lowest level that can be detected.

In any case, legislation only appears to be travelling in one direction, and it is a matter of when, and not if, these stringent standards are implemented in other nations. The aforementioned Royal Society of Chemistry, for instance, has called for

the UK government to enforce limits of 10 nanograms per litre for each forever chemical.

Moreover, with PFAS clean-up settlement fees already totalling $16.7 billion in the US alone, and landmark cases emerging in Europe, there is a dual incentive to get ahead of the curve on PFAS management, both from a legislative and business standpoint.

However, it should be noted that current PFAS remediation techniques, such as landfill or incineration, are only moving the problem from one place to another. Worryingly, the hardy nature of PFAS will allow it to travel far from the source and eventually re-enter the water stream, potentially posing a breach of compliance.

Here, true destruction presents a better alternative to remediation alone. While this has previously proven difficult, we at Arvia

"PFAS have been a key target of environmental legislation in recent years, with many countries aiming to address their presence in drinking water"

Technology have developed Florenox™, a range of electrochemical oxidation reactors that can destroy PFAS from concentrates such as leachates, and water containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Using Nyex.3™, a patent-pending advanced inert electrode material, Florenox™ promotes the formation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals that are capable of targeting and breaking the carbon-fluorine bond.

As legislation grows tighter, remediation must be partnered with destruction technologies for a fail-safe approach. Enforceable limits for PFAS are already at the lowest possible level in the US, and are expected to follow in Europe. The only way to ensure compliance within such fine margins is total destruction. With millions potentially on the line, it is critical that PFAS legislation is not left to chance.

ZWITTERIONIC MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY: REVOLUTIONISING

INDUSTRIAL

WATER TREATMENT AND REUSE

Water stress is rapidly intensifying across the globe, making it critical to maximise water treatment, recovery, and reuse. Industrial processes alone account for nearly double the water withdrawals of domestic consumption—20% compared to just 12%, with agriculture accounting for the remainder.

As industries grow and freshwater becomes increasingly scarce, improving the treatment and reuse of industrial wastewater has become essential. Enhanced reuse practices can drastically lower freshwater withdrawals by industry, preserving this vital resource for drinking water and agriculture. Recent studies underscore the urgency of this situation, anticipating that global water consumption could reach 160% of the currently available water supply by 2030. Clearly, significant changes in water management and treatment strategies are necessary. In response, ZwitterCo’s membranes offer reliable and efficient solutions for water treatment and reuse across many industries. With their growing product lines, these membranes tackle difficult wastewater problems. Industries benefiting from ZwitterCo’s membranes include meat and poultry processing, dairy

Enhanced reuse practices can lower freshwater withdrawals by industry, preserving this vital resource for drinking water and agriculture

production, corn ethanol facilities, sugar refining plants, power generation stations, landfills, bioprocessing plants, oil and gas operations managing produced water, food waste digestate facilities, and farms dealing with manure runoff.

Zwitterionic chemistry: A breakthrough in filtration science

To fully grasp the significance of ZwitterCo’s membrane technology, it is essential to understand the science behind these innovations. At the most basic level, membranes are composed of polymers— large molecules made of repeating monomer units. Polymers can be naturally occurring (such as proteins) or synthetic (like polyethylene). Copolymers are a specialised type of polymer that incorporates two unique monomers that create the repeating units. By manipulating these different monomers, scientists can precisely control the material's properties, such as strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance. Common polymers utilised in conventional ultrafiltration (UF) membranes include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyethersulfone (PES).

Zwitterions and zwitterionic copolymers represent a uniquely promising

class of polymers due to their dual-charge nature. A zwitterion is a molecule that simultaneously carries both positive and negative charges, making the overall molecule electrically neutral and extremely hydrophilic (“water-loving”). By carefully selecting and combining these zwitterionic monomers with other compatible materials, researchers have created hydrophilic, water-loving copolymers exhibiting exceptional anti-fouling properties.

The performance is not merely incremental—it is a step change. These membranes maintain consistent throughput and rejection rates even in streams laden with fats, oils, greases, and dissolved organics. They also require significantly less cleaning, recover faster when cleaned, and dramatically extend operational life compared to conventional alternatives.

The benefits of Zwitterionic membranes in water treatment

One of the most significant challenges in water and wastewater treatment is membrane fouling, particularly caused by organic contaminants like fats, oils, grease, and proteins. These substances adhere to traditional membranes, clogging the pores and significantly reducing filtration efficiency, sort of like coating a coffee filter with oil before brewing coffee, making the filtration slower and less effective.

Zwitterionic membranes offer a fundamental breakthrough. The zwitterionic copolymers actively attract water while simultaneously repelling organic contaminants. This distinct chemistry

dramatically reduces fouling, enabling consistent, high-performance filtration.

This anti-fouling capability yields several advantages:

Enhanced membrane longevity. Due to their resistance to fouling, zwitterionic membranes significantly reduce the buildup of organics and other materials on the surfaces of membranes, extending the membrane life and reducing the associated maintenance expenses, which can be substantial.

Improved permeability. The inherent hydrophilicity of zwitterionic membranes enhances their permeability. By actively repelling organic materials and drawing water to the surface and pores, these membranes maintain higher filtration rates for extended periods compared to conventional membrane materials.

This efficiency translates into sustained productivity and throughput, critical for industrial processes.

Cost efficiency. The superior anti-fouling properties of zwitterionic membranes translate directly into cost savings. Reduced fouling means fewer harsh chemical cleanings, lower chemical Common

To fully grasp the significance of ZwitterCo’s membrane technology, it is essential to understand the science behind these innovations

consumption, less system downtime, and fewer membrane replacements. Overall operational costs are notably decreased, enhancing the economic viability of advanced water treatment and reuse systems.

Broad applications. The impressive non-fouling characteristics of zwitterionic membranes render them remarkably versatile. They are ideal for numerous water and wastewater treatment applications, especially those involving high concentrations of organics. By effectively handling streams rich in fats, oils, grease, and proteins, these membranes are integral in enabling safe and sustainable wastewater reuse.

Consistent, predictable operations. One of the most practical benefits is operational consistency. Zwitterionic membranes maintain performance despite variations in feedwater quality, reducing the likelihood of unplanned shutdowns or unexpected downtime. This stability ensures plants operate reliably, preserving productivity and profitability.

The history of Zwitterions in membrane research & development Zwitterions have long been recognised for their extraordinary hydrophilic properties. For decades, researchers in academia and industry sought to integrate these advantageous characteristics into membrane technologies. However, early efforts proved challenging.

The first major attempts involved doping traditional membrane polymers with zwitterions in the conventional phase-inversion manufacturing process. Unfortunately, this method offered minimal performance enhancement because zwitterions were inadequately incorporated into the surface chemistry of the membrane.

Subsequent research shifted toward grafting zwitterions onto existing membrane surfaces. While this approach led to measurable improvements in anti-fouling properties, it proved impractical due to high production costs. Additionally, grafting only impacted the membrane surface,

monomers. This innovation enabled the creation of stable, self-assembling pore structures at the nanometre scale, effectively repelling organic substances throughout the membrane’s entire structure. Recognising the immense potential of this technology, ZwitterCo was founded in 2018 with the mission to commercialise these groundbreaking membranes, translating laboratory breakthroughs into scalable solutions for industrial water treatment.

The future of Zwitterionic membranes

isolate fractionation, is currently under development. Such advances promise significant benefits for the food and beverage industries traditionally challenged by organic fouling.

leaving inner pore structures vulnerable to organic fouling.

A critical turning point occurred in 2013 when researchers at Tufts University achieved a breakthrough. They discovered that specialised copolymers could be developed by combining zwitterionic monomers with hydrophobic (water-repelling)

The zwitterionic copolymer chemistry pioneered by ZwitterCo is not merely a single-product innovation—it is a versatile platform adaptable to numerous pore sizes, membrane types, and applications. Currently, Superfiltration (SF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes incorporating zwitterionic technology are commercially available, addressing complex water and wastewater treatment challenges across diverse industries.

Looking ahead, ZwitterCo continues to innovate. A new sanitary process membrane specifically for dairy processing, including whey protein concentrate and

The future of industrial water management demands not just better equipment, but better materials—those capable of unlocking resilience and circularity where legacy approaches fall short. ZwitterCo’s membrane technology delivers just that: a foundational shift in performance that enables industries to do more with less—less water, less energy, fewer chemicals, and less risk.

To explore more about the power and potential of zwitterionic membranes, visit The Power of Zwitterions.

ZwitterCo’s membrane technology delivers a foundational shift in performance that enables industries to do more with less

“The water industry is transforming through new technologies, greater resilience demands, and urgent cyber protection needs”

For 14 years running, the Black & Veatch Water Report has been an essential compass for understanding the evolving landscape of the water industry. The 2025 edition, built on the insights of over 600 U.S. water stakeholders, offers a comprehensive look at the pivotal trends shaping the sector today.

The water industry stands at a critical juncture, grappling with evolving regulations, ageing infrastructure, and significant workforce shifts. To better understand these challenges and the path forward, we sat down with Donnie Ginn, Executive Vice President and Water Solutions Group Leader at Black & Veatch. With over three decades of experience, Ginn's expertise spans water and wastewater facilities, collection and distribution systems, and complex water conveyance programs. In this interview, Ginn provides a deep dive into the insights from Black & Veatch's latest Water Report, offering perspectives on how utilities can build sustainable and resilient water solutions.

Please tell us briefly about your background and your current professional role.

I am an Executive Vice President and Water Solutions Group Leader at Black & Veatch — a global employee-owned company with more than a century of experience in the water industry. We focus on consulting, engineering, and construction, specialising in the development of human critical infrastructure. I’ve been with Black & Veatch for more than three decades, and I’ve enjoyed

solving our clients’ most critical challenges in the water industry, which is at a critical juncture.

Given the estimated $3.2 billion annual cost to comply with the EPA’s new per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations, how do you envision utilities balancing compliance with affordability for ratepayers?

Utilities are always working to balance rising costs with the need to maintain high-quality service to their customers and to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable drinking water to the communities they serve. Increasingly, regulatory requirements are driving major capital investments, whether to develop new water sources or meet water quality standards. At Black & Veatch, we continue to partner with our clients to identify strategies

for securing funding and improving operational efficiency, all in service of the shared goal of delivering clean, safe water to their customers and the environment.

The report notes that only 28% of respondents have a One Water or integrated water supply plan. Why do you think adoption is still so low, and what are the barriers?

Clean, affordable and accessible water is essential for the long-term well-being of people, communities, industries and the environment. Municipal water systems—whether it’s water supply, wastewater treatment or stormwater management—are deeply interconnected. One Water redefines water resource management by viewing water as a single, renewable resource with value in every part of its cycle. We’re seeing a growing number

"Regulatory requirements are driving major capital investments, whether to develop new water sources or meet water quality standards"

DONNIE GINN - EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND WATER SOLUTIONS GROUP LEADER FOR BLACK & VEATCH

Z Olivia Tempest

"At Black & Veatch, we continue to partner with our clients to identify strategies for securing funding and improving operational efficiency"

of communities embrace this mindset, integrating water planning decisions across systems rather than making them in isolation. It’s a smarter, more resilient way forward—but there are still real barriers to broader adoption.

First, institutional silos have existed for decades, and it’s hard to break away from steady habits. New costs and addressing ageing infrastructure can also prevent some communities from shifting to a One Water approach, but our teams are helping clients achieve this highly beneficial transformation by developing One Water strategies. We work closely with utilities and municipalities to help them with their One Water journey and remove the barriers to entry.

We have partnered with water utilities and companies on integrating land- and water-use planning, incorporating natural water sources, and restoring and protecting the environment through nature-based solutions while promoting water sustainability and economic growth for years to come. It’s exciting to see the impact of our work and how it can help improve not only natural resources but also the growth of a community.

Many utilities report low maturity in leveraging data. What are the most critical first steps for those looking to move from data collection to actionable insights?

Nearly half of the respondents to our water report survey indicated that they are collecting a lot of data but not leveraging the data effectively. Every water utility has the opportunity to harness its

data to explore, assess, report and forecast trends, and evolve into an organisation grounded in strong data management. But to make that shift, utilities need a well-structured home for their data — and a team of skilled stewards to manage it.

More specifically, that home is a CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System) aligned with business processes such as asset management, frameworks, and risk and maintenance strategies, paired with the staff to keep the data up to date.

A data strategy is not an out-of-thebox solution. That’s why in 2025, we see utilities revisiting their strategies and asking evolved questions such as, “What information is strategic? What data-driven decisions do we want to make as an organisation? What change management strategies can we deploy?” It’s crucial to determine those answers so that terabytes of data can become helpful in addressing persistent issues, such as helping pinpoint and stem water loss.

When done right, digital water transforms utilities from reactive operators to strategic planners, driving efficiency, sustainability, and long-term resilience. Ideally, the focus should not just be on buying a CMMS but on effectively training people to maximise the power of the solutions.

Data maturity means having both the system and the trained workforce to set up the system, download the information

and create learning systems and solid assessment and action processes for the data they collect.

With “safety and public welfare” topping cybersecurity priorities, how can smaller utilities realistically afford the necessary OT cybersecurity measures?

"Employee education and training are essential to mitigating risks, and utilities need to adopt a culture of cybersecurity, no matter their size"

Smaller utilities with fewer resources and team members are certainly just as vulnerable to safety issues as larger, more complex utilities. While budgets can be more limited at smaller utilities, the cost and risk of not implementing proper controls can be even greater. We recommend starting with an overall operational

technology (OT) risk assessment to evaluate the greatest vulnerabilities and identify which assets need the most attention and resources.

Employee education and training are also essential to mitigating risks, and utilities need to adopt a culture of cybersecurity, no matter their size. Employees

need to have a firm grasp of their roles and how they fit into the chain of being cyber-ready.

How are utilities preparing for the “silver tsunami” of retirements, particularly in terms of data literacy and digital infrastructure management?

The silver tsunami is real, and many utilities are facing a wave of retirements and staff shortages, especially in technical and project management roles. As workers retire, water utilities do lose some institutional knowledge. But that also opens the door for new opportunities and ushers in a new generation of water experts.

Tackling the talent drought entails an industry collaboration of trade schools, industry organisations, water utilities, governments, and other entities. Being part of the water industry is vital work, and it contributes to the public health, environmental sustainability and economic growth of a region.

Water utility clients are also turning to staff augmentation and program management support. We are supporting many clients by filling their workforce gaps by providing program management services to keep critical infrastructure projects moving forward.

What forms of federal or state-level support are most urgently needed to help utilities navigate regulatory compliance and infrastructure upgrades?

Through the ebbs and flows, the water sector has proven resilient, regardless of

"One Water redefines water resource management by viewing water as a single, renewable resource with value in every part of its cycle"

Black & Veatch teams help Johnson County Wastewater expand its Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment facility in Leawood, KS, resulting in upgrades that saved the county approximately $16 million a year.

"Our survey and Water Report shows that respondents are concerned about shifting weather patterns and increasingly extreme weather events"

a plethora of competing priorities and potential policy changes that could influence operations and complicate planning. That includes things like water quality standards involving contaminant removal, climate change strategies and sorely needed infrastructure upgrades. However, our report found that, for the most part, the majority of utilities don’t intend to make changes to their priorities, at least for now.

Our survey respondents showed a strong commitment to existing plans, with half saying they would not make any adjustments if regulations were relaxed. Only about one in five said they’d shift money to other priorities, while 9% said they would slow the pace of capital improvement projects.

However, when it comes to regulation, few topics have drawn more attention than those meant to rid drinking water of PFAS. Thus, the water industry’s eyes naturally remain affixed on Capitol Hill in the U.S. for any policy changes involving PFAS.

"Nearly half of the respondents to our water report survey indicated that they are collecting a lot of data but not leveraging the data effectively"

It can be difficult for utilities to navigate regulatory compliance. Therefore, we were particularly excited to be selected by the American Water Works Association to develop guidance for pilot testing of the treatment of PFAS. Our goal was to combine minimum requirements and provide best practices for water utilities, regulators, and engineers to equip the industry with the information needed to make timely, informed decisions about PFAS treatment projects.

Based on the findings in this year’s report, what trends do you believe will most significantly reshape the U.S. water sector over the next five years?

The water industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by new technologies, increasing resilience needs and the urgent need for heightened cyber / OT protection to address looming threats. These trends are reshaping the industry’s priorities by requiring utilities to address ageing infrastructure, secure water supplies, and respond to climate-related disruptions and natural disasters.

Our survey and Water Report shows that respondents are concerned about shifting weather patterns and increasingly extreme weather events. The flooding and droughts associated with these challenges are causing utilities to address resiliency in

Black & Veatch team helps the Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department expand their Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility (NWRWRF) to provide a new compact and cost-effective dewatering facility in Hillsborough County, Florida.

"The growth of data centres and the increasing AI technologies, and climate-related stressors contribute to pressures on water resources"

and climate-related stressors all contribute to pressures on water resources. To mitigate their supply risks, utilities and municipalities are taking an array of actions, including promoting water conservation and reuse, investing in aquifer storage and recovery, and expanding alternative water supplies. Black & Veatch has been a leader in advancing these solutions, working closely with utilities and communities to improve resilience.

their systems through water infrastructure hardening, diversification of water sources, and innovative water reuse strategies.

Many water utilities are dealing with both ageing infrastructure and workforce. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of survey respondents identified ageing water and wastewater systems as the top challenge facing the water industry. This was followed by ageing workforce (39%) and limited access to funding. To address these challenges, utilities are exploring multifaceted solutions such as public-private partnerships, consolidating water systems and implementing new technologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Meanwhile, water supply remains top of mind as a perennial concern. The growth of data centres and the increasing demand for AI technologies,

Cybersecurity and safety have also emerged as critical trends. We live in a world of frequent and sophisticated cyber threats that are advancing and changing, even within the last several years. The urgency for robust cybersecurity and OT protection continues to grow. We are seeing an escalating threat landscape that is rapidly evolving, and we expect cybersecurity to remain a top priority going forward.

"Smaller utilities with fewer resources and team members are certainly just as vulnerable to safety issues as larger, more complex utilities"

Black & Veatch helps the Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District complete a conveyance and storage tunnel built deep in the bedrock below Louisville, KY to cost-effectively reduce CSOs in the Ohio River and other area waterways.

ARKLOW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SETS

NEW STANDARD IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The official opening of the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant on May 9th marks a significant milestone in Irish infrastructure and environmental policy. The €139 million project, now fully operational, brings an end to the long-standing discharge of untreated wastewater into the River Avoca, addressing a critical environmental issue that has affected the region for decades.

Located in Ferrybank on Ireland’s east coast, the facility was developed by Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) in partnership with Ward & Burke. Delivered six months ahead of schedule and within budget, the plant represents a notable achievement in project execution and public infrastructure delivery.

In addition to its core environmental and public health function, the plant has drawn international attention for its distinctive architectural design. Departing from traditional industrial aesthetics, it blends sculptural form with functionality, earning the prestigious Downes Medal from the Architectural Association of Ireland—an honour seldom awarded to utility projects.

The facility not only enhances environmental safeguards in the region but also supports future residential and commercial development. As Arklow enters this new chapter, the project is being held up as a national and international model for how essential infrastructure can integrate sustainability, design excellence, and long-term community value.

siemens.com /water

BLANCA

ANTIZAR

DIRECTOR OF CONSULTANCY, EUROPE, AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA AT ISLE UTILITIES

Water is our most precious resource, consistently undervalued despite sustaining ecosystems, fueling economies, and underpinning human health. We often take its availability for granted. Consider the billions of litres consumed annually by thermal power plants for cooling, the critical role of water in hydrogen production, and the staggering 620 million litres of freshwater used yearly by an average data centre operated by major tech firms. Car manufacturers and chemical industries also heavily rely on this vital resource. Despite this profound dependence, water is frequently overlooked in policy, infrastructure, and public awareness, posing a significant threat to Europe’s environment, industries, and digital ambitions. To secure a resilient water future, a concerted pan-European effort, harnessing collaboration, innovation, and capacity building, is essential to safeguard this invaluable resource.

The water sector stands at a critical juncture, facing mounting pressures from climate change, population growth, and escalating pollution that are stretching our water systems to their limits. Across the European Union, the contamination of fresh and marine waters, including persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—"forever chemicals" linked to severe health issues—demands a comprehensive clean-up initiative. These water quality challenges are exacerbated by water quantity issues. Since 2021, parts of the Mediterranean region, including Spain, Italy, and Greece, have experienced prolonged droughts, severely impacting agriculture and urban water supplies. In 2024, devastating heavy rains and flash floods struck multiple EU states, resulting in tragic losses and billions in damages. These recurring water-related disasters incur billions of euros annually, underscoring the urgent necessity for resilient water management strategies.

The European Union’s Water Resilience Strategy, endorsed by the European Parliament in May 2025, directly addresses these pressing challenges of water scarcity, flooding, and pollution. This strategy establishes ambitious objectives for water security, reuse, and the integration of circular economy principles. However, achieving these goals requires more than just policy frameworks. The revised EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, effective since January 1, 2025, serves as a crucial cornerstone in this endeavour. It strengthens wastewater treatment by targeting a broader range of pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and PFAS, extending its reach to smaller agglomerations (1,000 population equivalents or more) by 2035, and introducing stricter standards for man-

Shaping a resilient water future in Europe

aging rainwater runoff and removing micropollutants. By reinforcing the polluter-pays principle, the directive ensures that industries and polluters are held accountable for the environmental damage they cause, thereby promoting cleaner water systems. These measures are vital for safeguarding water quality and supporting Europe’s wider environmental and economic aspirations.

Significant financial resources will be essential to implement novel treatment technologies and enhance monitoring capabilities as mandated by the new directive. Furthermore, achieving energy neutrality in water management will necessitate substantial upfront investments, even though long-term operational cost savings from reduced energy consumption are anticipated. Recognising these considerable funding de-

"To secure a resilient water future, a multi-faceted approach focusing on capacity building, innovation and strategic governance is essential"

mands, the novel Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme emerges as a pivotal mechanism for securing the necessary financial support specifically for the removal of micropollutants, thereby acting as a potential catalyst for the directive's successful implementation.

Engaging policymakers is crucial to facilitate the adoption of innovations, thereby enhancing Europe’s global competitiveness within the water sector. We must present compelling evidence of the economic and environmental advantages of these technologies, utilising data from trials to demonstrate cost savings and sustainability improvements. Regular dialogue through policy forums, such as those hosted by the European Commission and Water Europe, can ensure that innovations align effectively with regulatory

frameworks. Streamlining approval processes and offering incentives, such as subsidies for utilities adopting advanced PFAS filters, can significantly accelerate their uptake. By clearly showcasing how these innovations strengthen the water sector and support interconnected industries across the water-energy-food nexus, we can position Europe as a global leader, driving both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Sustaining the impact of innovation requires robust capacity-building initiatives. By equipping professionals with the necessary skills in emerging technologies, circular economy practices, and adaptive governance, we are cultivating a workforce that is well-prepared to address complex water-related challenges. Targeted training programs will empower professionals to manage water as the finite and precious resource it truly is. These efforts foster a knowledge-driven water community that fully recognises water’s intrinsic economic and social value, ensuring that sustainability is deeply embedded in decision-making processes across diverse sectors, from energy production to digital infrastructure development.

I am optimistic about the transformative potential of the new EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community on Water, Marine, and Maritime Sectors (EIT Water) to fundamentally reshape our approach to water security. By fostering synergistic collaboration across these interconnected sectors, EIT Water establishes a dynamic platform for crucial knowledge transfer and the sharing of innovative technologies, effectively addressing shared challenges such as sustainability, resource efficiency, and climate resilience. For instance, the integration of the water sector’s advanced analytical capabilities, such as sophisticated digital water management tools, with the maritime sector’s established expertise in IoT-driven logistics and efficient port operations can lead to groundbreaking innovations like real-time water quality monitoring systems for ports or sustainable ballast water treatment solutions. Simultaneously, the marine sector’s advancements in eco-friendly materials and cutting-edge sensor technologies can significantly bolster the resilience of water infrastructure, while maritime’s extensive global trade networks can facilitate the worldwide scaling of water-efficient solutions. Through EIT Water’s comprehensive pan-European framework, collaborative cross-sector education, joint research initiatives, and dedicated startup acceleration programs will drive a unified and thriving blue

economy, delivering impactful innovations that effectively bridge freshwater systems, vital marine ecosystems, and critical maritime operations for a truly sustainable and resilient future.

In summary, while the path towards achieving comprehensive water security is loaded with significant challenges, there is considerable hope in our collective determination to address them. The persistent undervaluation of water poses a

"Engaging policymakers is crucial to facilitate the adoption of innovations, enhancing Europe’s global competitiveness within the water sector"

serious threat to Europe’s vital ecosystems, key industries, and ambitious digital agenda. However, the progressive EU Water Resilience Strategy, the strengthened revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and forward-thinking initiatives like EIT Water provide a robust and promising framework for meaningful progress. These concerted efforts demonstrate that strategic innovation, effective collaboration, and targeted capacity building have the power to fundamentally transform how we manage our precious water resources. By truly valuing water as our most critical resource and working collaboratively, we can collectively build a resilient and sustainable future where clean water effectively powers Europe’s ambitions, diligently protects our planet, and reliably ensures prosperity for generations to come.

JIM LAURIA VICE PRESIDENT SALES & MARKETING, MAZZEI INJECTOR COMPANY

At the core of every great story lies a deep understanding of the audience. What do they care about? What do they already know? What pressures and perspectives shape how they’ll hear what you’re saying? The same principles hold true in sales, especially in municipal water treatment. When we engage with utility engineers, managers, and city officials, we’re not just selling a product—we’re building a narrative that connects their needs with the benefits of our solutions.

Understanding that the audience is crucial, and timing matters just as much. By the time a request for proposal (RFP) hits the street, many decisions have already been made. That’s why Mazzei Injector Company prioritises early engagement. And while our experience, relationships, and technical know-how go a long way, what really gives us an edge is a tool that feels almost like peering into the future: Citylitics.

The value of seeing ahead

Citylitics analyses millions of public documents—council minutes, capital improvement plans, feasibility studies, and more—to identify infrastructure projects well before they go to bid. That foresight is powerful. According to Citylitics founder and CEO Ahmed Badruddin, the tool provides a one-to-five-year head start—an invaluable advantage when selling complex systems with long sales cycles.

At Mazzei, we’ve always taken a data-driven approach to identifying trends and opportunities. Our longstanding involvement with the International Ozone Association, for instance, has helped us document the growth in sidestream ozone injection and anticipate evolving industry needs. Citylitics complements that strategy perfectly, helping us pinpoint where those trends are materialising into real projects and, more importantly, who’s leading the charge.

This early visibility enables our sales team—and our manufacturer’s reps—to build relationships long before specs are written or technologies are selected. It opens the door to meaningful conversations that can shape how projects are designed, saving utilities money, energy, space, and maintenance down the road.

Case study #1: Midwestern momentum

In one case, a large Midwestern city began educating its citizens about its plans to install a new ozonation system for

The sales team's crystal ball

drinking water. Through Citylitics, we identified the project before any RFP was issued and saw an opportunity to support—not just pitch.

Rather than waiting for the project to hit the bid phase, we reached out early. We offered technical resources, including peer-reviewed articles, cost-benefit data, and even sample public presentation slides to help the utility explain the benefits of ozone to residents. We also volunteered expert speakers for town hall meetings to demystify the science behind ozonation.

That early partnership positioned us not as vendors chasing a contract, but as trusted collaborators who understand the public pressures and communication challenges that come with major infrastructure investments.

"Citylitics

analyses millions of public documents, council minutes, to identify infrastructure projects well before they go to bid"

Case study #2: California complexity

On the West Coast, a California utility outlined an advanced treatment train that would include ozone, biologically active filtration, microfiltration, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet light, and advanced oxidation processes (AOP). With that many components, integration and performance are everything.

Citylitics gave us an early heads-up. That allowed us to schedule conversations with the utility’s design team and begin offering CFD (computational fluid dynamics) modeling to demonstrate how our sidestream injection systems could be optimized within the proposed treatment flow. We ran predictive performance scenarios based on system configurations they were considering—work that would be nearly impossible to start after an RFP was finalized.

When the utility enters procurement, we’ll already have a proven understanding of their goals, validated performance models, and customized data to back our proposal.

Case study #3: Small plant, big challenges

In another example, a smaller municipality was dealing with persistent taste and odour complaints in its drinking water. Citylitics surfaced early discussions in city council documents—not in a formal plan, but as an item in an internal committee meeting.

Because we saw it early, we were able to engage before any consultants were hired. A site visit confirmed the challenge: limited space, limited budget, and a strong desire to avoid major structural changes. Our team proposed a retrofit using Mazzei’s sidestream ozone injection system in place of a large basin contactor—offering a lower-footprint solution with high transfer efficiency.

We were able to help them understand the trade-offs, review performance data from similar-sized plants, and even connect them with peers who had implemented similar solutions. That not only made for a stronger proposal—it built confidence that the solution would work.

Insight for the whole team

What’s especially valuable about Citylitics is how it serves the entire Mazzei sales ecosystem. We use it not just at corporate headquarters, but across our field sales team and manufacturers’ representatives. Everyone has access to early leads, detailed project intelligence, and named contacts—all organised so we can act with precision, not guesswork.

This intelligence helps us bring our “storytelling” into sharper focus. We’re not relying on assumptions. We’re using real information to engage real decision-makers on the terms that matter most to them—whether it’s regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, budget planning, or public perception.

Badruddin says it best: “Our goal is to provide the earliest possible signal of demand in the market, giving clients like Mazzei the time they need to engage early and help shape infrastructure projects before decisions are locked in.”

From data to decisions

Of course, data alone isn’t enough. The power of Citylitics lies in what we do with the information. It gives us the space

to think strategically, to be proactive rather than reactive. Instead of racing to meet someone else’s specs, we can help shape the specs themselves. Instead of proposing off-the-shelf systems, we can tailor solutions to real-world constraints.

This lead time allows for better budgeting, more accurate performance estimates, and more collaborative partnerships. It gives utilities the chance to explore options, ask questions, and choose technologies based on merit, not just familiarity.

"In a world where timing is everything and decisions carry long-term consequences, Citylitics has become an essential part of our strategy"

Our vision, their success

At Mazzei, we believe in the power of innovation, insight, and collaboration. Citylitics gives us all three. It helps us align with our customers sooner, understand their challenges more deeply, and deliver the kind of personalised, effective solutions that improve water quality, reduce costs, and build trust.

In a world where timing is everything and decisions carry long-term consequences, Citylitics has become an essential part of our strategy, a high-tech compass that keeps our sales team pointed in the right direction. It may not be a crystal ball in the traditional sense, but for us, it comes pretty close.

Z Cristina Novo

As Europe faces increasing water scarcity and climate challenges, water reuse is becoming a vital component of sustainable water management. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) plays a key role in supporting the EU's efforts to implement water reuse efforts, especially with Regulation (EU) 2020/741. In this interview, Roberta Maffettone, Scientific Project Officer at the JRC's Ocean and Water Unit, explains how the JRC provides scientific evidence, supports the development of risk management methods, and works closely with Member States to ensure consistent, effective, and safe implementation of water reuse practices across Europe. Drawing on her expertise in environmental engineering, she highlights how research and policy support go hand in hand to advance sustainable water management.

Please tell us briefly about your background and your current professional role.

I am a civil and environmental engineer with a Ph.D. in environmental engineering, and I have always been passionate about water. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work on various projects in both academia and industry, focusing on improving wastewater treatment efficiency and reuse. Currently, I am working at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre in the Ocean and Water Unit, where I am supporting EU water reuse initiatives by conducting research on various aspects, including methodologies for risk management. My goal is to contribute towards policies and practices that advance the one health approach and support economic growth. I am driven by the desire to make a positive impact and to find ways to balance the needs of the environment, the economy, and society. Water reuse is key to achieving the EU's water resilience objectives, and I am grateful to contribute to its development.

ROBERTA MAFFETTONE SCIENTIFIC PROJECT OFFICER AT EUROPEAN COMMISSION JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE

“Our goal is to make water reuse a cornerstone of the EU's climate adaptation and circular water strategies”

Water reuse offers Europe a vital opportunity to strengthen resilience to water scarcity and climate change. Roberta Maffettone explains how the Joint Research Centre supports Member States with science-based guidance and tools to advance safe and effective reuse across the EU.

Can you provide an overview of how the Joint Research Centre supports the European Commission's efforts on water reuse, particularly since the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2020/741?

The Joint Research Centre plays a vital role in supporting the European Commission's water reuse efforts, especially with Regulation (EU) 2020/741. As the Commission's in-house science service, we lead the way in shaping the EU's regulatory framework. We have conducted crucial studies that have informed policymakers about the benefits and necessity of investing in water reuse, highlighting the need for standardised practices across the EU. The JRC contributed to establishing water quality standards for agricultural irrigation and developed robust risk management guidelines.

Since its application, we have worked closely with the EU Member States, research centres, and academic institutions to support its rollout. We focus on exploring water reuse projects across different sectors, ensuring they address current challenges and align with the EU's strategic objectives. Our goal is to drive innovation and sustainability in the water sector. By doing so, we seek to enhance water resilience and EU competitiveness, while

contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. The JRC continues to be dedicated to supporting the European Commission's efforts on water reuse, and we are excited to be playing a key role in shaping the future of water management within the EU.

How has the uptake of water reuse evolved across EU member states since the regulation came into force in June 2023? Are there any notable leaders or laggards?

Since the new Water Reuse Regulation came into effect in June 2023, we have seen a varied uptake of water reuse across

the EU countries. Some countries, like Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus, with a long history of reusing water, are already ahead of the game with their own rules and guidelines in place. Others, like Italy, France, and Germany, are making good progress. In fact, some of these countries are even developing national legislation on water reuse for the first time, which is a big step forward. However, Member States, like Poland, Croatia and Austria, are taking a more cautious approach, either because of the abundant availability of freshwater resources or technical/ financial challenges. They have invoked Article 2(2) of the regulation, which lets

them opt out of water reuse for agriculture in certain areas, and have rather explored other uses like urban or industrial applications. It is great to see that the regulation is sparking innovation and investment in water reuse, and we are here to support all EU countries as they move forward.

What have been the main challenges or bottlenecks in implementing the Water Reuse Regulation from a technical or governance perspective?

From a technical perspective, developing effective risk management plans has not been easy. On the governance

"We focus on water reuse projects across different sectors, ensuring they address current challenges and align with the EU's objectives"

side, collaboration among stakeholders is crucial, but can be challenging, especially when it comes to educating and involving end-users like farmers. To address these challenges, we are providing support and expertise, facilitating capacity building and training, and developing innovative tools to help stakeholders understand their roles. Despite initial hurdles, we are now seeing a positive trend: operators, irrigators, and farmers are working together to develop risk management plans and implement water reuse systems. With knowledge sharing among EU countries, expertise and po-

Credit: Gabriele Breitenbach

tential emerging, and with a bit of effort and trust, we are confident the water reuse sector will continue to grow and thrive.

How does the JRC ensure that scientific advice remains consistent yet flexible enough to adapt to local water reuse scenarios, especially in regions with very different climatic and agricultural profiles?

The JRC's scientific advice is rooted in a strong collaborative approach, where we work closely with academia, but also start-ups and the private sector across all EU Member States. This collaboration enables us to tap into the latest research and expertise and to ensure that our scientific advice is informed by the best available knowledge and that the recommended actions are economically viable. By partnering with academic institutions and research organisations, we can leverage their expertise and resources to support the development of effective and sustainable water reuse practices. This collaborative approach translates into concrete support for Member States through technical webinars, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events. These events bring together experts and stakeholders from across the EU, providing a platform for exchanging best practices and addressing the technical challenges of water reuse.

The regulation is heavily rooted in a precautionary, risk-based approach. What are some key insights or best practices identified through the JRC’s work?

"Some European countries are even developing national legislation on water reuse for the first time, which is a big step forward"

Our work at the Joint Research Centre has highlighted some important insights, including the importance of a “fit-for-purpose” approach, which balances human health and environmental protection with local contexts and conditions. We have observed best practices all over the EU, from Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Spain and many other countries, where effective risk assessment and management strategies, innovative technologies, and stakeholder engagement have been successfully implemented. Through our webinars and workshops, we've gathered over 30 examples of water reuse systems that have successfully integrated risk management provisions into their practices. These systems go beyond agricultural irrigation, and also include irrigation for gardens, urban parks, golf courses, and other public facilities - all based on rigorous risk management criteria. In the future, these best practices will be integrated into our

"Knowledge Hub for Water" web platform, providing a valuable resource for stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners to support the development of sustainable water reuse practices across Europe.

What is the current thinking around expanding the regulation's scope beyond agricultural irrigation, for example, toward industrial or urban applications of reclaimed water?

There is a growing interest in expanding the Water Reuse Regulation beyond agricultural irrigation to include industrial and urban applications. It is already happening, considering that reclaimed water is being used in these sectors, and some EU countries are proactively incorporating these uses into their national laws. We have collected some interesting case studies on industrial and urban water reuse, such as using reclaimed water for park irri -

Credit: Gabriele Breitenbach

©European Union, 2025.

"The JRC's scientific advice is rooted in a collaborative approach; we work closely with academia, startups and the private sector"

gation, street cleaning, and other industrial applications. For example, industries are using municipal reclaimed water for purposes like producing pulp and paper, plaster, and in cooling systems, which reduces pressure on freshwater abstraction. It is encouraging to see that industrial settings are already adopting a 'fit-for-purpose' risk management approach, a key principle of the Water Reuse Regulation. Our goal for now is to assess the current state of play across the EU, analyse the potential of reuse in other sectors, and determine whether further regulatory frameworks are needed.

With increasing attention on contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), how are they being factored into risk assessments and water quality monitoring under the current framework?

We stay up-to-date on the latest scientific research by working closely with academic experts, and using this knowledge to develop new approaches to identify and assess CECs. A key focus area is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which has become a critical concern in the water sector. We are collaborating with top research centres and universities to integrate CECs and AMR into risk

management approaches. In addition, the new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which requires the removal of micro pollutants and monitoring of AMR and microplastics, will also help. This comprehensive approach will enable us to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with these contaminants, ensuring safe and sustainable water reuse practices.

Looking ahead, what are the next steps or priorities for the JRC and the European Commission to ensure water reuse becomes a cornerstone of the EU’s climate adaptation and circular water strategies?

In June 2025, the European Commission launched the Water Resilience Strategy, which puts forward a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach, including promoting water reuse. As part of this initiative, we have launched the European Water Academy, which will offer training, capacity building, and knowledge transfer. The academy will have a pillar dedicated to water reuse, supporting researchers and innovators in identifying commercialisation pathways for new technologies. The JRC is a fundamental player in advancing the Water Resilience Strategy by providing scientific and technical expertise, developing new tools and methodologies, and working closely with stakeholders to address barriers to water reuse. In all of this, our goal is to support water reuse as a key element of this strategy, aligning with its objectives to create a more resilient, sustainable, and circular water economy.

"We are now seeing operators, irrigators, and farmers working together to develop risk management plans and implement water reuse systems"

ALON TAVOR

CEO OF IDE TECHNOLOGIES

We are no longer talking about climate change, rather, it is about the interference with the classic water cycle, which is redefining global water security for millions globally. The evolving climate exerts unprecedented stress on our planet's water cycles, fundamentally altering precipitation patterns, increasing drought frequencies, and exacerbating water scarcity. As traditional water sources become less reliable, communities worldwide increasingly turn to desalination, as we all understand the cost of not having water. Today, over 18,000 desalination plants operate globally, a number expected to grow in response to escalating needs.

But the future of desalination is not just about making saltwater drinkable, but doing it efficiently and sustainably. Current desalination technologies offer a critical solution to water scarcity, with a relatively low environmental footprint. Yet, we should ask ourselves what can be done better. Can we further minimise the environmental impact?

Desalination plants are energy-intensive; the process of reverse osmosis, the most common method of desalination, requires large amounts of energy to force water through semi-permeable membranes to remove the salts. In numbers, it translates to 3 to 4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to produce a cubic meter (m³) of freshwater, which converts to carbon dioxide emissions.

Other concerns about environmental impact are the use of chemicals and their potential impact on the marine environment during project execution (some people have concerns about the brine emissions and their impact, but those are being proven wrong again and again in plants that follow the right engineering practices).

The desalination industry has recognised the urgency of adopting more sustainable practices, leading to significant innovations aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of desalination plants. One notable technological advancement is the integration of renewable energy sources—solar, wind, and even geothermal energy—into desalination processes. For example, several facilities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region (Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the UAE) now operate partially or entirely on solar energy, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale renewable energy integration.

Yet renewable energy has its limitations; energy is not generated consistently during the hours of the day and the seasons. Solar is available typically only 20-22% of the time, so buying "green energy" from the grid is either misleading or requires substantial storage that has its environmental impact.

Securing our future: the vital role of sustainable desalination

At IDE, we believe that for desalination to be truly sustainable, the desalination plant and the energy source must be in direct synergy. When we aim to reduce CO2 emissions, we must either produce water using real 100% renewable energy or focus on minimising emissions and implementing carbon capture solutions. 30 years ago, energy recovery technologies transformed the landscape of desalination, making it economically feasible. Modern plants incorporate energy recovery devices that capture and reuse energy from the desalination process itself, significantly improving energy efficiency. This

"Energy

recovery technologies have been pivotal in reducing the energy requirements of reverse osmosis systems by up to 40%"

technology has been pivotal in reducing the energy requirements of reverse osmosis systems by up to 40%. Now is the time to introduce newer technologies that will reduce the plant’s carbon footprint, making desalination more environmentally friendly.

At IDE, we recognise that the first step in reducing the environmental footprint of desalination is acknowledging and quantifying it. That's why we've taken the lead by implementing the Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) model, becoming the first company to measure and quantify the carbon footprint of desalination plants. We see this as pivotal in setting the industry standard for sustainable desalination and advancing towards net-zero desalination. Upon implementing our LCA methodology in Sorek II, our latest desalination project, which began

operating earlier this year, we found out that by implementing several sustainable technologies, we could cut down 30% of the carbon emissions. When you consider the quantities that this plant is going to produce, multiplied by the savings, you're talking about savings of over 150,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

Sorek II, the world's first steam-driven Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant is a living testament to IDE’s commitment to sustainable desalination and a living proof that environmental sustainability and economic efficiency can go hand in hand. The plant, which boasts innovative steam-drive high-pressure pumps, in-house chemical production, an independent power station, advanced modular design, and a carbon capture system, delivers high-quality water at an exceptionally low cost.

Regulatory frameworks play a pivotal role in shaping the sustainability practices within the desalination industry. Governments and international bodies can drive the adoption of green technologies by setting stringent environmental standards and providing incentives for low-carbon technologies. For example, carbon pricing mechanisms can make the cost of carbon-intensive production processes reflect their environmental impact, thereby encouraging investment in cleaner alternatives. Additionally, regulations mandating the use of energy-efficient technologies can accelerate the shift towards more sustainable desalination methods.

In regions where water scarcity poses a significant challenge, policies that support the integration of renewable energy sources into desalination plants have proven effective. Subsidies for solar or wind-powered desalination projects, or regulations allowing easier integration of these technologies into the grid, can reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources and decrease the carbon footprint of new and existing facilities.

From an economic perspective, the argument that sustainable desalination practices are cost-prohibitive is increasingly being challenged. Initially, the capital expenditure for greener desalination technologies can be higher, but when viewed through the lens of long-term operational savings, the investment often proves economically viable. Energy-efficient systems lower the cost of energy consumption over the plant's lifetime, which is one of the most significant operational costs in traditional desalination processes.

Moreover, the economic implications of not pursuing sustainable practices can be severe. The environmental dam -

age caused by traditional desalination can lead to costly mitigation efforts and loss of biodiversity, which can have cascading effects on local economies, especially in regions dependent on marine tourism. As such, integrating sustainable practices is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic strategy that can lead to greater resilience and sustainability of water resources. In this evolving landscape,

"From an economic perspective, the argument that sustainable desalination practices are costprohibitive is increasingly being challenged"

companies like IDE Water Technologies are demonstrating that investing in sustainable desalination technologies not only aligns with global regulatory trends but also makes sound economic sense.

Large desalination plants emit over 150,000 tons of CO2 per year, with mega-sized ones exceeding 300,000 tons. These figures highlight the urgent need for sustainable desalination. The same applies to reducing chemical use, minimizing environmental impact during execution, and other elements. Focusing on the problems enables solutions. However, transitioning to sustainable practices requires a collective effort from industry leaders, governments, and communities. Together, through innovation and supportive policies, we can ensure a secure, sustainable water future for all.

MEHUL PATEL

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA

OPINION

How Orange County’s GWRS revolutionized water reuse

More than 461 billion—and counting. This striking figure, prominently displayed on the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD) website, represents the gallons of potable water produced by the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) since it became operational in 2008. As the world’s largest advanced water purification system for indirect potable reuse, the GWRS stands out as a visionary project that takes a once-wasted resource, wastewater, and purifies it into high-quality drinking water—a remarkable feat that reflects innovation, leadership and sustainability.

OCWD’s visionary leadership in water recycling dates back to the 1970s, when it built and operated one of the region’s first advanced wastewater reclamation facilities, Water Factory 21. Building on this legacy, OCWD expanded upon the partnership with its neighbours at the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) to develop a solution that would prioritise water reuse and redefine regional water reliability.

A joint initiative of the two agencies, GWRS began producing purified wastewater at an initial capacity of 70 million gallons of water per day (MGD). A 2015 expansion increased that figure to 100 MGD. With its final phase completed in 2023, the system now recycles 100 per cent of OC San’s reclaimable wastewater flows, producing up to 130 MGD—enough to serve one million people. It's an impressive milestone that sets a new standard in the industry for large-scale potable reuse.

The purified water is then injected into wells located near the Pacific Ocean coastline to protect seawater intrusion into the Orange County Groundwater Basin, directly injected into the basin, and sent to recharge basins to allow for percolation into the basin. Managed by OCWD, the groundwater basin is the primary drinking source for 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County.

Getting to this final phase didn’t happen overnight. It took strategic planning, technical expertise and community outreach – all necessary ingredients to a successful project. For the final expansion, innovation and new technologies also played a crucial role, whether it was testing and developing new membranes to optimize performance, reducing energy usage and

maximizing water output, building new pipelines and infrastructure to get more wastewater to the facility or evaluating the quality of the new source water that was coming into the plant.

When OCWD and OC San launched the GWRS, it marked a bold step toward investing in and securing a resilient water supply. Today, that vision has paid off many times over. Not only is GWRS less expensive and less energy-intensive than importing water from northern California or the Colorado River, but it also offers local reliability and reduced dependency on increasingly strained external sources. It’s a solution that continues to benefit both partners and the communities they serve.

The final completion of GWRS comes at a critical time. As many parts of the world face the impacts of extreme weather

"The system now recycles 100% of OC San’s reclaimable wastewater flows, setting a new standard in the industry for large-scale potable reuse"

cycles, the need for sustainable water solutions is more urgent than ever. Recently finalised regulations in California supporting direct potable reuse provide an opportune time for other water agencies to explore advanced water recycling strategies, and, for those agencies pursuing indirect potable reuse or direct potable reuse projects, they can look to the GWRS as a model.

Water reuse has proven to be a successful investment for OCWD and its communities and reflects our commitment to explore all possible water supply solutions. Even with the success of GWRS, OCWD continues to innovate and test new technologies to identify more opportunities to enhance operations and support our diversified water supply portfolio. We are always looking ahead as we remain committed to our mission to bring reliable, high-quality water to our communities.

ELIZABETH DENLY - TRC’S NATIONAL PFAS INITIATIVE LEADER AND CHEMISTRY DIRECTOR

“It's important for businesses to determine their PFAS risk and plan for potential liabilities”

Since its incorporation in Connecticut in 1969, TRC has evolved from a meteorological and air quality analysis firm into a global leader in engineering and consulting.

TRC is a recognised leader in tackling the complex challenges associated with PFAS and other emerging contaminants. In this interview, we speak with Elizabeth Denly, a highly respected expert in environmental science and chemistry with over 30 years of experience in environmental regulation and remediation. Elizabeth shares her insights into the dynamic PFAS regulatory landscape, its far-reaching implications for the water industry, and the cutting-edge strategies and technologies being developed to assess and manage PFAS-related risks effectively.

Please tell us briefly about your background and your current professional role.

I received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of New Hampshire, began my career in an environmental analytical laboratory, and

"US EPA intends to continue to regulate

eventually moved into consulting. I have been working in the environmental industry for over 30 years. I currently work for TRC Companies and have been with TRC for over 25 years. Currently, I serve as TRC’s National PFAS Initiative Leader and Chemistry Director. In this role, I

lead the TRC Center of Research & Expertise (CORE) PFAS Team, a group of scientists devoted to staying informed of current PFAS issues, science, and regulations. As a Chemistry Director at TRC, I am responsible for providing quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC) oversight in support of different environmental investigations, including remediation programs, ambient air monitoring, and human health/ecological risk assessments. I am currently engaged in many different types of PFAS investigations with a specific focus on risk liability assessments, chemistry, sampling procedures, data interpretation, forensics, QA/ QC, and analytical methodologies.

In addition to my role at TRC, I have a very active leadership role with the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC), a national coalition focused on developing tools and strategies to reduce interstate barriers to the deployment of

Z Olivia Tempest

innovative environmental technologies. I currently serve on the ITRC Board of Advisors as a representative of the Industry Affiliate members. In addition, I serve as a leader on ITRC’s PFAS Team as a co-leader of the History & Use/Naming Conventions sub-team and as a trainer for PFAS Sampling & Analysis topics. I received the 2017 and 2022 ITRC PFAS Team Member of the Year Awards for my contributions to the ITRC PFAS team.

Can you explain the current status of PFAS regulation in the U.S. and the potential implications for industries like water utilities and chemical manufacturers?

From a federal perspective, PFAS regulation in the US is in a current state of flux, with some uncertainties for the future. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) recently issued a press release stating its commitment to

PFAS. For certain, the EPA has confirmed that it intends to continue to regulate two PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), in drinking water. But, at the same time, they also intend to rescind or revise the 2024 maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for four other PFAS chemicals. Logically, this could result in fewer public water systems requiring extensive PFAS treatment systems, but it is important to remember that the states will likely continue to enforce and develop even stricter PFAS regulations. From day one, many of the states have been the leaders in developing and enforcing PFAS regulations in drinking water and other media such as groundwater and soil. This will likely continue, and therefore, EPA’s deregulation of some PFAS MCLs may not provide any relief to water utilities in those states with the PFAS regulations.

Chemical manufacturers will similarly be impacted, and litigation will continue to be on the rise. In addition, the EPA has stated it will be moving forward with establishing effluent limitation guidelines, which will impact discharge permits of chemical manufacturers and other industries. Companies may want to evaluate PFAS in their discharges now to avoid any surprises; understanding PFAS in these discharges will allow companies to begin to consider how best available technologies and effluent limitation guidelines could impact their operations and future budgets.

Finally, industry could be impacted depending on where the CERCLA Superfund Hazardous Substances designation lands for PFOA and PFOS; this Biden CERCLA ruling is in the midst of litigation by industry, and the EPA will be making decisions in the near future over whether to maintain or repeal this ruling.

Could you elaborate on the strategies for PFAS risk liability assessment and management plans that you have worked on at TRC?

It is important for businesses to determine and understand their potential PFAS risk profile and begin to consider how to manage potential PFAS liabilities, in order to be prepared for and to be able to respond to the regulations. Understanding a PFAS risk profile may also become important for buyers, sellers, lenders, investors, and insurers during transaction due diligence. The PFAS risk profile could be dependent upon the specific PFAS in use, as not all PFAS

"Many of the states have been the leaders in developing and enforcing PFAS regulations in drinking water, groundwater and soil"

"The water industry could be impacted depending on where the CERCLA

Superfund Hazardous Substances designation lands for PFOA and PFOS"

are equal in terms of risk or regulatory requirements. TRC’s comprehensive PFAS Liability Assessment/Management services can help identify if and where a business needs to focus resources on PFAS.

We work with our clients to ensure corporate buy-in and collaboration with the team of experts on the strategic approach. Each operation in the company has to be vested in the PFAS risk/ liability assessment process. So, even if a company hires a firm like TRC for this assistance, an in-house team needs to be involved every step of the way to help with the collaboration; this includes the appropriate company leaders, EHS Managers, and internal and/or external legal counsel.

A PFAS management plan would ultimately be developed, if needed, based on the risk characterisation and prioritisation for each facility using the conceptual risk/process model. It would start with a summary of where the PFAS risks lie and the conceptual model we develop. It will include recommended strategies to address the identified risks strategically

"ART-PFAS is a green and efficient technology that can concurrently remediate PFAS and volatile organic compound impacts in groundwater"

and cost-effectively. This could include different mitigation actions such as replacement with PFAS-free alternatives, it could mean re-engineering of the process to remove legacy PFAS, it could mean some form of treatment or modification to a treatment system to meet existing or future PFAS regulatory limits or wastewater discharge requirements. The risk management plan could also include goal-oriented sampling plans for environmental media, industrial materials, processes, raw materials, and wastes. Having a sampling strategy and plan proactively in place will save time and resources when the need arises or in response to requests from a governmental authority or even a supply chain vendor.

Performing a comprehensive liability review can help identify potential trigger points in a company’s business and provide support in developing a strategy to mitigate that risk.

You’ve researched the leachability of PFAS from environmental sampling products. Can you share your findings and their potential impact on sampling protocols?

TRC and Pace Analytical Laboratory embarked on a study to evaluate the potential for PFAS in commonly used sampling materials to cross-contaminate environmental samples (e.g., drinking water, groundwater, soil, etc.). Our goal was to determine if these sampling materials could be leaching PFAS. Our spe-

cific objectives were (1) to determine the relative concentrations of PFAS in leachates of each of the tested sampling materials; and (2) to determine the types of PFAS that can potentially be transferred from the tested materials to samples during the sampling process.

Some of the products we looked at included the following:

Different types of tubing: high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, or Teflon™), silastic, and silcone

• Aluminium foil, adhesive notes, field books, bubble wrap, sample labels

• Tyvek, passive diffusion bag sampler, nitrile gloves, bailer line, bladders used in groundwater sampling pumps (PTFE & polyethylene)

• Bentonite (to determine if PFAS could be in the coating on time-released bentonite)

We garnered the following conclusions from this study:

In general, this study demonstrated that low levels of PFAS may leach off of some of the different sampling materials. However, this study was also able to demonstrate that PFAS did not leach off of several different materials.

Samples which did yield leachable detections of PFAS should be considered conservative measurements as all leachates were generated over a 24-hour time period. In reality, samples will not be in contact with these materials for 24-hours and in most cases, contact time will be significantly less (i.e., minutes).

One useful benefit from the study is the determination of the different types of PFAS that may be associated with a particular sampling material. These data may be useful in cases where equipment contamination may be suspected. Knowing the types of PFAS that may leach off of a particular sampling material may also be helpful in the forensic evaluation of sample data.

The importance of collecting equipment blanks during any sampling event is not diminished because of the information gained from this study. In fact, this study demonstrated that different manufacturers of the same type of tubing (PTFE, HDPE, and LDPE) may yield variable concentrations of different PFAS and different batches of the same product from the same manufacturer may yield variable concentrations of different PFAS due to quality and process variability.

What are some of the most promising PFAS remediation technologies in development, and what challenges remain in scaling them up?

TRC has been involved in the development of an innovative in-situ PFAS remediation technology and recently received the 2024 Environmental Business Journal Business Achievement

Award for our work on this technology. This technology, called ART-PFAS, was co-invented by TRC’s Nidal Rabah, PhD and Accelerated Remediation Technologies, Inc. (ART) (patent pending). ART-PFAS is a green, cost-effective and efficient technology that can concurrently remediate PFAS and volatile organic compound impacts in groundwater and soil in the saturated zone and capillary fringe. ART-PFAS (owned by ART) is the only proven active in-situ alternative to pump-and-treat to remediate PFAS-impacted groundwater.

ART-PFAS was implemented at a site in New Jersey by retrofitting an existing air sparging/soil vapor extraction (AS/ SVE) system with an ART-PFAS well. Within a few months, PFAS concentrations in groundwater of 2,000-3,000 nanograms per litre (ng/L) were reduced by 50 to 100% in the test well and up to

40% in a monitoring well. PFOA and PFOS concentrations that ranged from over 400 to 1,000 ng/L were successfully reduced below EPA drinking water MCLs of 4 ng/L. PFAS concentrations in soil were reduced by 50 to 65%. PFAS was enriched by 100-300 times in the recovered foam (vs. groundwater), while generating only about 50 gallons of residual liquid after circulating over 500,000 gallons of groundwater (10,000 times less water volume vs. pump-and-treat for aboveground management).

"Businesses need to determine and understand their potential PFAS risk profile and begin to consider how to manage potential PFAS liabilities"

VIJAY SUNDARAM & ROSA GWINN GLOBAL ONE WATER DIRECTOR | GLOBAL PFAS TECHNICAL LEAD AT AECOM

OPINION

Potable reuse: an opportunity to overcome the PFAS dilemma

Sustainable water management is in an era of rapid change. Worsening drought and increasing water demand across the U.S. have pressured utilities to develop new water supplies and deliver more with ageing infrastructure. Meanwhile, implementation costs continue to rise, straining tight budgets. This alone might seem daunting for utilities, yet there is still a further challenge.

A new generation of emerging contaminants—specifically perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—pose significant risks to water supplies for thousands of communities. In response, some water utilities have had to augment their treatment systems to keep consumers safe and meet strict regulations on PFAS in drinking water. The dual challenges of water scarcity and quality threats pose a seemingly immense task for utilities. And while a perfect solution doesn’t exist, there is something close to it: potable reuse.

Potable reuse is a powerful drought mitigation and water resiliency solution. At the same time, potable reuse treatment technologies like Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) have proven effective for PFAS removal. We see an opportunity for potable reuse solutions to provide additional value, supporting resiliency while removing PFAS from the water cycle. For communities planning to invest in both PFAS and reuse systems, it makes sense to integrate both solutions to reduce long-term capital expenditures.

In practice, the integration of PFAS treatment into potable reuse is relatively straightforward. It involves the inclusion of an RO or GAC filtration step into the potable treatment train. Indeed, regenerable ion exchange resins and novel sorbents have added benefits and can be considered as alternatives to GAC.

While this approach is imminently viable, it poses an additional question: what happens with the spent media or RO concentrate? In past decades, disposing of those materials posed significant risks. Thermal regeneration of spent media, which is the dominant form of PFAS destruction, carries a host of negative environmental impacts, from air pollution to GHG emissions. Ocean discharge of PFAS-laden RO concentrate carries similar potential negative environmental impacts.

Yet, today’s technologies have changed the picture, providing more sustainable, safe and adaptable solutions. Super Critical Wa-

ter Oxidation (SCWO), for instance, destroys PFAS under high pressures and temperatures, while Electrochemical Oxidation (EO) applies an electrical current to treat PFAS-laden streams. These solutions have already been commercialised globally, and PFAS and potable reuse have become increasingly integrated and implemented.

In communities with water-dependent industries, a water outage can result in millions of dollars in economic damage. A study by the Metropolitan Water District of Orange County, found that just a 15% reduction in water supply would reduce local economic output by $6.5 billion and

"We see an opportunity for potable reuse solutions to provide additional value, supporting resiliency while removing PFAS from the water cycle"

lead to 19,000 lost jobs across Orange County. Integrating PFAS and reuse technologies can allay this risk, simultaneously expanding supply while ensuring compliance to limit service disruptions.

Integrated potable reuse and PFAS management can also mitigate the effects of outflows from conventional wastewater treatment facilities, in some cases protecting agricultural land that has increasingly experienced PFAS contamination. This not only carries economic upsides but also obvious social and economic benefits.

While an integrated reuse and PFAS treatment system may seem daunting to implement and manage, it is greater than the sum of its parts. Together, these two solutions can provide more safety, resilience, and value for consumers while helping preserve critical resources and mitigate contamination for decades to come.

JESS STEIER

DRPH, FOUNDER AND CEO OF UNBIASED SCIENCE

OPINION

Water fluoridation: a critical partnership between public health and water utilities

As communities across the U.S. grapple with fluoridation decisions, water utilities find themselves at the centre of one of public health's most enduring debates. Recent policy changes and mounting pressure from anti-fluoridation activists have placed water professionals in challenging positions. Understanding the science behind fluoridation is essential for utilities navigating these waters.

Water fluoridation represents one of the most successful public health interventions of the 20th century, preventing at least 25% of tooth decay. For water utilities, implementing fluoridation at the recommended level of 0.7 mg/L represents a straightforward technical process with profound community health benefits. Every dollar invested in community water fluoridation saves approximately twenty dollars in dental treatment costs, with the most significant impact occurring in underserved communities where access to regular dental care is limited.

Recent research challenging fluoridation safety has created confusion among policymakers. However, examination reveals critical limitations making findings irrelevant to community water fluoridation. The National Toxicology Program report and meta-analyses examine fluoride concentrations at or above 1.5 mg/L, more than double the recommended U.S. level. Only 0.6% of the U.S. population is exposed to such high naturally occurring levels.

Anti-fluoridation research contains methodological flaws. Studies rely on cross-sectional designs that cannot establish causation, fail to control for confounding variables like socioeconomic status, and report effect sizes within standard measurement error. Most studies were conducted in regions with naturally high fluoride levels bearing no resemblance to controlled fluoridation programs.

The distinction between naturally occurring high fluoride levels and controlled fluoridation is critical. Natural fluoride often occurs alongside contaminants like arsenic, making it impossible to isolate fluoride's effects. Controlled water fluoridation uses pharmaceutical-grade additives at precisely monitored levels, providing consistent, safe exposure refined over 75 years.

The health equity implications of fluoridation decisions cannot be overlooked. Water fluoridation provides universal protection regardless of socioeconomic status, education level, or access to

dental care. Communities that have removed fluoride consistently show increased dental health disparities, with the heaviest burden falling on children from disadvantaged families. Calgary's experience after discontinuing fluoridation exemplifies this pattern, with researchers documenting increased social inequities in dental health.

Water utilities considering fluoridation changes should understand broader health connections. Poor oral health extends beyond cavities, linking to cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and respiratory infections. Bacteria from periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream, creating systemic health risks that fluoridation helps prevent.

Anti-science movements have built careers manufacturing doubt about public health measures, using playbooks deployed against

"The scientific consensus is clear: community water fluoridation at recommended levels is safe, effective, and essential for public health equity"

vaccines and climate science. These actors publish flawed research, generate alarming headlines, and leverage political appointments to dismantle protective policies.

Water utilities serve as guardians of community health, and fluoridation represents a critical tool in that mission. The scientific consensus remains clear: community water fluoridation at recommended levels is safe, effective, and essential for public health equity. As pressure mounts to abandon this intervention, water professionals must ground decisions in sound science rather than fear-based rhetoric.

The well-being of our communities depends on maintaining evidence-based policies that have protected public health for generations. Water utilities can continue this legacy by supporting fluoridation as both a technical success and a moral imperative.

KEVIN CASSIDY

CEO OF NEWTERRA

OPINION

Flexible reuse solutions address site-specific water challenges

Circular economy practices are gaining traction across industries as more sustainability-minded companies aim to reduce waste, recover value, and conserve resources. In the water sector, a circular economy view recognises wastewater as a valuable resource. Rather than a burden, it holds the potential to recover clean water, energy, and other materials for beneficial use.

Water reuse plays an important role in sustainable water management. Treating wastewater for reuse reduces freshwater demand and provides a reliable, onsite supply that acts as a buffer against water-related disruptions. For organisations, water reuse is a practical example of water stewardship that supports broader sustainability goals.

Water reuse has a well-established track record of success. The technologies are mature and proven. As these technologies continue to evolve, the potential for water reuse has never been more promising—it offers a viable strategy in the face of a changing climate and mounting water scarcity. The following examples illustrate the diverse opportunities to implement reuse projects and address challenges across very different environments.

In Western Canada, a major potato processing facility is undertaking a $450 million expansion to double its production capacity. From the outset, the company aimed to make sustainability a defining element of the project. A key component of that commitment is a wastewater reuse plant that will treat process wastewater to produce high-quality effluent for reuse.

Newterra was engaged to design and supply a robust, scalable system capable of handling high organic loading wastewater and enabling reuse across the facility. Designed to treat up to 1.58 million gallons per day, the multi-stage solution features a membrane bioreactor (MBR) to remove high-strength organics and solids. It also includes granular activated carbon to eliminate residual organics, followed by high-recovery reverse osmosis (RO) to remove salts and trace constituents—allowing over 97.5% of processed wastewater to be recovered and reused.

Newterra is also delivering a second reuse system: A modular, skid-based unit will treat a blend of municipal and reclaimed process water using filtration, softening, and RO to produce

high-purity water for boiler makeup. The reuse systems integrate multiple technologies into a site design with numerous interconnected water streams. Together, the solutions reduce freshwater withdrawals, minimise waste, and optimise water use efficiency, supporting long-term sustainable operations.

Like many arid regions, communities in Texas face ongoing challenges in securing reliable water supplies for the future. Water reuse is a critical strategy for maximising the utility of available resources and preserving limited reserves.

In Travis County, Newterra is partnering with JA Wastewater to deliver a custom MBR system for a lifestyle residential community. Designed to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards, the system will produce high-quality effluent suitable for Type I reuse—including ir-

"Water reuse technologies are mature and proven, offering a viable strategy in the face of a changing climate and mounting water scarcity"

rigation, toilet and urinal flushing, and other non-potable applications. At full build-out, the system will have a treatment capacity of 120,000 gallons per day.

The project enhances regional drought resilience while minimising the environmental impact of wastewater disposal by reducing sludge generation. And by producing high-quality effluent, it helps protect local water bodies and ecosystems. As a modular solution, the system offers the added advantage of decentralised treatment—addressing wastewater close to the point of generation, avoiding costly infrastructure expansions, and alleviating pressure on overburdened centralised systems.

Taken together, these projects speak to the value of reliable technologies to address unique demands through reuse—regardless of scale or location.

INGEDRIVE TM

“THE COMMUNITY MUST RECOGNISE

THAT OUR SUCCESS AS A WATER UTILITY IS THEIR SUCCESS AS A COMMUNITY”

As public utilities face rising costs, growing scrutiny, and a rapidly evolving digital landscape, communication has become a critical part of building trust and securing support for long-term investment. In Portland, Oregon, Felicia Heaton, Communications Director at the Portland Water Bureau, is leading the charge with creative, values-driven engagement strategies that connect with the community and bring visibility to the essential work of water utilities.

How do you think communication in the water sector has evolved in recent years?

As the cost of maintaining our infrastructure soars and public utilities battle for funding, it is increasingly important to demonstrate the value of water and the critical services we provide to our communities.

At the same time, the overall communications landscape has shifted drastically. People want to be informed immediately, concisely, and by people and organisations that align with their values. Distrust in government and news media is amplified on TikTok, X, Instagram, and other social platforms. It’s imperative that water communicators evolve to keep up!

We’ve diversified our tools and methods to capture our community’s attention and meet our customers where they are. We’re emphasising values-based messaging, speaking to the heart from the heart.

And we’re bringing people in and elevating them, making

our community members partners in our work and our success. Slowly but surely, we’re shifting from “You pay the bill, we’ll take care of the rest!” to expressing gratitude to the public for joining the good fight: Water is worth it, your investment matters, together, we’re protecting a precious resource and the critical systems that will serve you and your family for generations to come.

Why do you think it is important to communicate about water?

Is there anything more crucial than water? Clean, safe drinking water is the foundation of a healthy community, but the work and infrastructure often go unnoticed—until there’s a disruption. We need our community’s support and advocacy for long-term investments that ensure the longevity of our system and the protection of our limited resources.

To build that support, it’s critical that the community

recognises that our success as a water utility is their success as a community. Reliable access to clean, safe water—or “that sweet, sweet life juice” as our stellar communications team is fond of calling it—is fundamental to our city’s liveability, its economy, and its future.

We also have moral, ethical, and legal obligations to ensure that everyone in our community can access essential information about their drinking water. We must develop content and communication strategies that meet the needs of people with varying levels of income, education and English proficiency, differing abilities and generational experiences. To be effective, communications efforts require a lot of forethought and a decent budget.

What are the most challenging aspects of communicating water-related news?

We’ve all experienced the breakneck pace of change in communications, so I’ll cut

to the chase. Today, our customers choose how they want to get their information, and it’s on us to break through the static and capture a sliver of their time for water.

Here are some realities: We’re in constant competition for mere snippets of attention from the people responsible for funding our projects; we live in an increasingly polarised society that distrusts government; rising costs are here to stay; effective communication can be expensive.

The only way to guarantee that you can get someone’s attention these days is to pay for it through multimedia advertising, digital engagement and mailing and robust staffing of communications professionals.

Which brings us to what might be the biggest challenge: convincing the people who hold the public purse strings to approve spending on communications campaigns – something that’s still a very new concept for many in the public utility world.

Z Olivia Tempest

Felicia Heaton, Communications Director for the Portland Water Bureau in Portland, Oregon

MILES MENYHERT

APPLICATIONS ENGINEER SPECIALISING IN DRINKING WATER TREATMENT WITH JACOBI CARBONS, INC.

OPINION

Disinfection byproducts in drinking water: balancing chlorine, monochloramine, and organic removal strategies

Monochloramine or chlorine is used by a municipality as a disinfectant to ensure that the whole drinking water delivery system, from the municipality to the tap, is free of illness-causing bacteria. Municipalities started to utilise monochloramine as opposed to chlorine due to the discovery of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in the 1970s. DBPs are formed from the interaction of chlorine with organic matter in the source water that can be introduced by a variety of contaminants such as industrial pollution (factory/road runoff) or natural contamination (leaves biodegrading, animals living near or in source water). According to the U.S. EPA, these DBPs can cause harm to humans when ingested in levels above safe limits for an extended period, causing liver, kidney, or central nervous system damage as well as an increased chance of cancer. To limit the public’s exposure to these DBPs, the EPA implemented Stage 1 and Stage 2 disinfection byproduct rules, triggering many municipalities to transition from chlorine to monochloramine. Monochloramine is more stable than chlorine, making it less likely to form DBPs. This decreases the risk of exposure to the public without requiring pre-treatment of the water for organics prior to dosing disinfectant. Currently, the U.S. EPA indicates that approximately 113 million Americans are drinking water that is disinfected using monochloramine.

Around the same time as discovering DBPs and the increased study and use of monochloramine, an unidentified byproduct was found in water that had been treated with monochloramine. Because of the analytical limitations at the time, the EPA determined it could not be speciated. However, with advancements in analytical capabilities and the work done by Julian Fairey et al., this byproduct was recently identified as the chloronitramide anion. The chloronitramide anion is a chemical compound with the structure Cl-N-NO2-. Because of its recent speciation, it has an unknown health risk and is therefore treated with an abundance of safety as potentially hazardous in drinking water. If testing determines that the chloronitramide anion is a health hazard, current and future studies will be required to determine specific health risks and how to remove this compound from the water.

Since chlorine produces more DBPs than monochloramine and further research is needed on DBPs from monochloramine, it's important to focus on minimizing DBP formation overall. This can be managed by minimising the organic concentration flowing into the system with a disinfection agent prior to treatment. This limiting of total organic carbon (TOC) is commonly accomplished through the application of powder activated carbon (PAC) or granular activated carbon (GAC). PAC is introduced into the municipality’s system like a chemical dosage, allowed contact time for adsorption, and removed in the coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation step of a conventional treatment train. PAC is commonly applied to systems that have transient spikes in organic pollutants such as 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin. GAC, on the other hand, is more common-

"Municipalities started to utilise monochloramine as opposed to chlorine due to the discovery of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in the 1970s"

ly used for consistent organic contamination and applied in a fixed bed system. Due to the fixed nature of GAC application, it requires more capital expenditure than PAC but allows for better utilisation of the carbon’s capacity. This higher utilisation of the media commonly results in lower media replacement costs over the long run if continual treatment of the water is required.

Both PAC and GAC are commonly used to limit organic concentrations in drinking water. The benefits of each—GAC utilises more of the carbon’s capacity while PAC can be applied intermittently to treat spikes in contamination—must be weighed against both the performance of the material and cost. With further studies being conducted on DBP formation, organics removal in advance of disinfection could become an increasingly more viable option for DBP treatment for regulatory compliance.

EYAL HAREL

CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF BLUEGREEN WATER TECHNOLOGIES

OPINION

Water: the overlooked frontline of global security

Water-driven disputes are no longer distant possibilities; they are unfolding realities shaping today’s geopolitical landscape. As freshwater scarcity worsens, the value of every drop rises. Yet, while global attention rightly focuses on energy and food security, freshwater resources are quietly deteriorating—polluted by industrial runoff, overwhelmed by nutrient loads, and destabilised by a changing climate. These pressures shrink supplies and fuel competition over shared waters.

Efforts to protect freshwater before a crisis hits face steep barriers. Water rarely demands urgent political attention until it's too late. Fragmented governance, overlapping and often transboundary responsibilities, and limited real-time data access hinder coordinated responses. Meanwhile, deteriorating water quality, less visible than scarcity, triggers toxic events like harmful algal blooms, making water unsafe for drinking, irrigation, or fishing. This devastates local economies, threatens public health, and compounds existing fragilities. In volatile regions, ecological deterioration fuels poverty, displacement, and unrest.

The link between water stress and instability is increasingly clear. In South Asia, climate shifts and irrigation demands are straining the once-resilient Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan. Recent escalations over dam construction brought the two nuclear-armed nations perilously close to conflict, defused by last-minute diplomacy. In Northeast Africa, Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam has intensified tensions with Egypt and Sudan, with water security framed in existential terms.

These aren’t outliers, they are a preview of what's to come. Without early, coordinated action, deteriorating water quality will continue to erode regional stability and elevate the risk of conflict. Water is no longer just an environmental issue; it’s a geopolitical flashpoint.

Preventing water crises means treating water management as a national security priority. Real-time data technologies, including satellite monitoring, AI-driven analysis, and predictive tools, offer powerful early-warning systems. With accurate insights, authorities can respond before degradation becomes a disaster.

One compelling example: South Africa’s Setumo Dam, once overwhelmed by harmful algal blooms, threatened 500,000 peo-

ple who depended on it. Using high-resolution data, authorities implemented targeted treatment that restored water clarity, revived aquatic life, and safeguarded livelihoods. This recovery wasn’t just ecological but built on social and economic resilience.

Despite these success stories, investment in freshwater ecosystems remains inadequate. The chronic underfunding of water quality interventions leaves nations vulnerable to cascading crises. We can’t afford to let scalable, proven solutions languish while risks escalate.

Equitable resource sharing is also critical. The Syrian civil war, partly driven by drought and worsening water scarcity, also revealed the fallout of upstream actions, like Turkey’s damming of shared rivers that cut vital flows to Syria. This mix of environmental strain and geopolitical pressure shows the high cost of inaction.

"Without early, coordinated action, deteriorating water quality will continue to erode regional stability and elevate the risk of conflict"

We can’t wait for similar crises to unfold before taking preventive steps.

Sustainable water stewardship demands both economic and political innovation. By linking water conservation to broader climate goals—like carbon sequestration through ecosystem restoration— we can unlock new investment channels. Ultimately, securing freshwater requires more than funding or technology. It requires political will, cross-border collaboration, and a global recognition of water’s role not just in survival, but in peace.

Water quality decline is not an invisible threat. It’s a visible driver of instability, which is growing. Recognising water as a core element of geopolitical strategy is the first step toward a more secure and equitable future. The tools exist. The risks are clear. What remains is the resolve to act before scarcity becomes conflict.

FROM WASTE TO RESOURCE: ORANGE COUNTY'S GROUNDWATER

REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM AS A SCALABLE

MODEL FOR WATER SECURITY

Orange County’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) is a leading example of advanced water reuse in action. This article explores the system’s role within a diversified water strategy and the technical, institutional, and financial factors that have shaped its success.

Z Cristina Novo

Water reuse has rapidly moved from a niche innovation to a central pillar of sustainable water management. As cities and utilities grapple with the unpredictability of climate change and growing populations, the ability to diversify and secure water sources has never been more critical. Among the various strategies being deployed—network optimisation, demand management, and non-conventional resources—water reuse stands out as one of the most practical, environmentally sound, and socially promising approaches. One of the clearest examples of this is Orange County’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). In this June issue, you will also find an opinion article by Mehul Patel, Executive Director of Operations at the Orange County Water District, who shares a first-hand

The Groundwater Replenishment System is the world’s largest advanced water purification facility for indirect potable reuse

account of the system’s inception, evolution, and technical leadership. This article aims to complement his perspective by focusing on GWRS as a replicable model, exploring the factors that have enabled its success and potential applicability in other contexts.

A circular solution in Orange County

The Groundwater Replenishment System, operational since 2008, is the world’s largest advanced water purification facility for indirect potable reuse. Jointly managed by the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San), the facility applies a rigorously engineered multi-barrier treatment train. OC San provides approximately 185 million gallons per day of secondary-treated effluent, produced through conventional primary and secondary wastewater treatment, including bar screening, grit removal, trickling filters, activated sludge, clarification, and disinfection. A source control program curtails industrial pollutants and emerging contaminants before they enter the wastewater stream.

The tertiary treatment process at GWRS begins with microfiltration (MF), which utilises 0.2-micron hollow-fibre membranes to remove suspended solids, protozoa, bacteria, and some viruses. The filtered water then undergoes reverse osmosis (RO), where high-pressure pumps drive it through semi-permeable membranes that exclude dissolved salts, organic compounds, pharmaceuticals, and viruses. The final stage, ultraviolet (UV) advanced oxidation, combines high-intensity UV light with hydrogen peroxide to degrade trace organic contaminants, including NDMA and other micropollutants.

The result is a water quality profile approaching distilled water, necessitating post-treatment stabilisation before recharge. Once treated, the water is distributed strategically to support regional groundwater sustainability. Approximately 30 MGD are injected into coastal wells in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach, forming a seawater intrusion barrier. Another 90 to 100 MGD are conveyed to percolation basins in Anaheim, where the water filters through sand and gravel into the deep aquifers of the Orange County Groundwater Basin, replenishing the local drinking water supply. Additionally, up to 10 MGD can be directed to mid-basin injection wells located in Santa Ana to further stabilise groundwater levels. Following its final expansion in 2023, GWRS now operates at a

capacity of 130 MGD—producing up to 44 billion gallons annually—making it a cornerstone of Orange County’s resilient and diversified potable water supply.

Operational excellence and integration

Operational resilience and treatment performance are foundational to GWRS’s credibility. The system achieved 98.9% uptime in 2023, delivering over 112,000 acre-feet of purified water. It is embedded in a diversified water portfolio that also includes flows from the Santa Ana River, stormwater capture, and imported supplies from the Colorado River and State Water Project. Approximately 85% of the water demand in north and central Orange County is met through the groundwater basin, with imported water bridging the balance.

What distinguishes GWRS is not just its engineering sophistication but its seamless integration into Orange County’s long-term water management strategy. This integration ensures adaptive operational control, hydraulic stability in the basin, and independence from increasingly variable imported supplies. A jointly staffed steering committee governs the project, reflecting the institutional collaboration between the water supply and sanitation sectors. California’s progressive regulatory framework for indirect potable reuse, combined with OCWD’s proactive compliance and

With 98.9% uptime in 2023, GWRS delivered over 112,000 acre-feet of reliable, climate-resilient water to Orange County users

outreach, has established a precedent-setting governance model.

Beyond scarcity: why reuse matters everywhere

Although born of water scarcity concerns, the rationale for reuse transcends arid climates. GWRS also addresses effluent management, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas mitigation—providing a decentralised, climate-resilient source that aligns with integrated resource planning principles. For utilities in coastal or high-density regions, reducing ocean discharge volumes and diversifying risk exposure are increasingly compelling drivers.

GWRS also excels in stakeholder engagement. From its inception, OCWD invested in building public trust through transparency and education. Over 60,000 individuals—including water professionals, regulators, and students—have toured the facility. Initiatives such as classroom outreach, media engagement, and even distributing bottled

The GWRS exemplifies the transition from linear to circular water systems: potable reuse is not only feasible but scalable and sustainable

GWRS water have helped normalise the concept of potable reuse. Surveys and feedback indicate a consistent uptick in community support, converting initial scepticism into advocacy.

Exporting the model: opportunities and requirements

Replicating GWRS demands specific enabling conditions. A consistent supply of secondary effluent is essential, as is access to a hydrogeologically suitable aquifer for indirect potable reuse. Regulatory clarity is paramount: jurisdictions must define water quality objectives, environmental buffers, and pathogen/chemical log removal requirements. Equally important is the institutional capacity to coordinate between utilities, manage stakeholder relationships, and ensure sustainable finance mechanisms.

The GWRS treatment train has also proven highly effective in managing emerging contaminants. PFAS compounds, including PFOA and PFOS, are routinely monitored. The multi-barrier system—particularly RO and

UV/AOP—achieves non-detect or trace concentrations, far below California’s health advisory levels. This positions GWRS as not only a supply solution but a public health safeguard against contaminants of concern.

Financing the vision

The financial structure behind GWRS is as significant as its engineering. From inception to completion of its final expansion, the project has required over $900 million in capital investment. The system first came online in 2008 with a capacity of 70 MGD at a construction cost of approximately $481 million. It underwent two major expansions: in 2015 to 100 MGD (at a cost of $142 million), and in 2023 to its current capacity of 130 MGD (at a cost of $284 million).

This level of investment was made feasible through a combination of local, state, and federal funding mechanisms. OCWD and its partners leveraged grants, low-interest loans, and operational subsidies to keep long-term costs

manageable. These included Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans, federal support through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI program and the EPA’s WIFIA financing, and support from California’s various water bond propositions.

For international water professionals, the key takeaway is the importance of diversified funding streams and early stakeholder alignment. While the precise sources and terms of financing will differ by country, the GWRS model shows that a complex, high-performance reuse project can be made economically viable through layered, long-term financial planning. The project's evolution also underscores the importance of building financial resilience into phased expansion, enabling utilities to scale infrastructure responsively as demand and regulatory conditions evolve.

Global recognition and influence

The international relevance of Orange County’s efforts is underscored by the global recognition OCWD has received.

In 2014, OCWD was awarded the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize by Singapore’s Public Utilities Board (PUB), in acknowledgement of its pioneering leadership in groundwater recharge and potable reuse. This recognition not only honoured the success of GWRS, but also highlighted OCWD’s earlier innovation—Water Factory 21—which was among the first in the world to produce potable-quality water from treated wastewater using reverse osmosis.

The influence of OCWD’s work extended directly to Singapore’s own water reuse strategy. Inspired by OCWD’s technologies and public engagement practices, Singapore developed the NEWater initiative, a cornerstone of its water sustainability efforts. OCWD’s approach—particularly its use of advanced treatment barriers, long-term monitoring, and emphasis on building public trust—helped shape international benchmarks for potable reuse.

The GWRS model demonstrates how local solutions can catalyse global change, offering transferable insights

for cities confronting water security issues. Its success reinforces the value of integrating technology, governance, and public communication in the development of reuse systems.

A blueprint for the future

As regulatory frameworks evolve to accommodate direct potable reuse and climate pressures intensify, GWRS stands as a proven reference model. It has inspired analogous projects in Texas, Arizona, Singapore, and Australia. Utilities globally can look to GWRS for both technical validation and strategic guidance.

In essence, GWRS exemplifies the transition from linear to circular water systems. Its value lies not just in its infrastructure, but in the institutional, regulatory, and social architecture that supports it. For water professionals tasked with securing future supplies, the lessons from Orange County are clear: potable reuse is not only feasible but scalable, sustainable, and essential.

JUAN

FELIPE TORRES

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

OPINION

Rethinking desalination: a thermodiffusive revolution in the Water–Food–Energy Nexus

The Water–Food–Energy Nexus highlights the deep interdependence between water resources, food production, and energy generation. These systems are tightly connected—actions in one often have cascading effects on the others. For instance, evaporation ponds used for lithium extraction—critical to the electrification of society—consume vast areas of land and lose significant volumes of water to the atmosphere, reducing land available for agriculture and worsening water scarcity.

Water and energy are the pillars of civilisation. Yet over 70% of global freshwater is used for agriculture, a sector facing immense pressure from population growth and climate change. While distillation has purified water for millennia, it’s energy-intensive. Reverse osmosis (RO), now the dominant desalination technology, is more energy-efficient but still too costly for widespread agricultural use. Meanwhile, evaporation ponds and solvent-based methods remain common for brine treatment, despite their inefficiency and environmental footprint.

Membrane-based systems degrade, chemical methods are hazardous, and phase-change processes are energy-hungry. Despite six decades of commercial use, desalination meets less than 0.5% of global freshwater needs. With over a billion people affected by water scarcity, we urgently need new, scalable, and sustainable water technologies.

What makes an ideal water treatment technology? It should (1) run on low-cost or free energy—ideally waste heat below 80°C, (2) operate in a single liquid phase—avoiding energy-intensive evaporation, (3) use no membranes or chemicals—cutting cost and complexity, and (4) be scalable and manufacturable, for example, via injection moulding or 3D printing.

At the Australian National University (ANU), we developed multichannel thermodiffusion—the first thermal desalination method fully operating in the liquid phase. Based on the Soret effect (species movement under temperature gradients), this process avoids evaporation, membranes, or chemical additives. It's simple, scalable, and energy-efficient.

Last year, we demonstrated lab-scale desalination devices at ANU, handling 36 mL/h with a 2,000 ppm concentration

drop. Now, our spin-off Soret Technologies Pty Ltd is scaling up to modular systems processing over 100 L/h with salinity shifts in brine concentration exceeding 35,000 ppm. Our goal is full-scale facilities handling 10,000+ m³/day.

Thermodiffusion performs exceptionally well across a wide salinity range—from typical reverse osmosis (RO) brine levels (~70,000 ppm) to near saturation (>200,000 ppm). It surpasses evaporation ponds both in energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, even when heat is supplied using electricity. Unlike evaporation-based methods, thermodiffusive brine concentration preserves water instead of losing it to the atmosphere, making it ideal for water reuse in agriculture and industry. It is also well suited for resource recovery from brines and treatment of produced water in the oil and gas sector. When powered by waste

"Multichannel thermodiffusion, a desalination method operating in the liquid phase, avoids evaporation, membranes, or chemical additives"

or low-grade heat, its operational costs drop significantly, offering a sustainable and economical alternative to conventional methods.

There’s also a timely opportunity: data centres, surging due to AI, cloud computing, and crypto, produce vast amounts of low-grade waste heat. Instead of letting it dissipate, we’re exploring ways to power multichannel thermodiffusion with this thermal energy—using waste heat for freshwater production, brine concentration, and even extraction of critical minerals.

As climate change and resource stress escalate, the future of the Water–Food–Energy Nexus lies in smart, system-wide optimisation. Multichannel thermodiffusion is a transformative step in that direction.

MICHAEL TIMKO & AMELIA THOMAS PROFESSOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AT WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND CO-FOUNDER OF RIVER OTTER | CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF RIVER OTTER

OPINION

PFAS destruction technology offers potential for fuel generation

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a highly dangerous family of “forever chemicals” present in consumer goods ranging from dental floss to personal electronics. They are toxic at minuscule concentrations, as low as parts per trillion, and have been linked to testicular cancer, infertility, heart issues, and immune disorders. Seventy years of PFAS use have resulted in significant contamination of our soil and water. Toxic levels have been detected in everything from beef cattle to wild deer.

The scope of the challenge to contain and remove PFAS contamination is daunting. There is no single solution because PFAS will take centuries to degrade on their own. Public and private organisations will both play important roles in combating this challenge. Wastewater treatment facilities will be essential partners in minimising the spread of PFAS in our environment.

Sewage sludge is a known hot spot for PFAS concentration and environmental spread. While some sludge is incinerated, the majority is either landfilled, where PFAS can leach out into surrounding land and water, or used as fertiliser to condition soil for growing crops, further dispersing PFAS into the environment.

Plant operators should not have to, and do not have to, take on this battle alone. Researchers worldwide are developing PFAS-destroying technologies to remove these persistent toxic foes. However, as plant personnel, municipalities, and private wastewater treatment companies look for applicable PFAS removal and destruction solutions, they often need to balance removing PFAS with other operational challenges, including costs and logistics. Interviews with wastewater professionals emphasise the complexity of implementing novel technologies into the rigidly controlled and highly regulated wastewater ecosystem.

Radical initiated hydrothermal liquefaction, or RI-HTL, is a new multipurpose technology invented at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and licensed for commercialisation by River Otter. RI-HTL has the potential to destroy PFAS and reduce the volume of sludge waste requiring disposal while producing beneficial green energy.

RI-HTL is based on hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), a decades-old waste-to-fuel technology using hot pressurised water. Traditional HTL has not been widely adopted due to its low waste

conversion efficiency. RI-HTL uses a green radical chemical to turbocharge the HTL process, increasing the breakdown of PFAS while improving waste conversion into useful crude oil. Initial RIHTL PFAS destruction results have been promising: WPI’s technology removed 99% of 40 known PFAS from the processed water while converting sewage sludge into crude oil.

Sludge conversion into crude oil during PFAS destruction provides both environmental and economic benefits for wastewater treatment by decreasing the solid waste requiring disposal. RIHTL bypasses the challenges with landfilling, incineration, and land application, which have hindered PFAS containment and destruction efforts in the past. River Otter estimates that RI-HTL can reduce sludge waste disposal costs by roughly 45–70% through

"RI-HTL

has the potential to destroy PFAS and reduce the volume of sludge waste requiring disposal while producing beneficial green energy"

converting sludge waste into crude oil and reclaiming nearly 99% of the processed water through simple oil-water separation.

Our history as an extractive economy, which uses natural resources and discards them as waste, has made PFAS a major challenge that must be addressed to preserve the environment and human health. Instead of viewing wet waste as a source of toxins, we envision a future in which communities use these wastes to recover billions of gallons of water and millions of kilojoules of energy.

River Otter is actively fundraising to build a large-scale demonstration unit to prove the reliability and performance of the technology. Please reach out for additional information and to help bring us one step closer to putting an end to forever chemicals.

MANAGING PFAS CONTAMINATION IN WATER: CANADA’S EVOLVING APPROACH

As concerns grow over PFAS — the so-called "forever chemicals"— Canada is advancing new policies, monitoring programs, and strategies to address contamination in drinking water and wastewater. This article explores Canada’s evolving response to this growing environmental and public health challenge.

Canada’s regulatory response to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has undergone significant evolution over the last decade. The federal government initially targeted individual PFAS substances such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which were listed as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), and subjected to restrictions on manufacture, import, and use.

However, growing scientific understanding of PFAS persistence, mobility, and cumulative risks led to a strategic shift. In March 2025, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Health Canada finalised their comprehensive State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report. The report concluded that PFAS as a broad class meet CEPA’s toxicity criteria for poten-

Canada is moving toward a class-based approach to regulating PFAS, rather than addressing each chemical individually as it has in the past

tial harm to the environment and human health. This finding underpins Canada’s movement toward a class-based approach to regulation rather than a chemical-by-chemical strategy.

The class-based approach allows federal regulators to act on the full range of PFAS, including legacy compounds (e.g., PFOS, PFOA) and thousands of newer, replacement chemicals. This mirrors growing global scientific consensus that all PFAS share certain hazardous properties: extreme environmental persistence, widespread occurrence, and bioaccumulation potential in wildlife and humans.

In support of this regulatory strategy, the Government of Canada included all non-polymeric PFAS on Schedule 1 of CEPA (the List of Toxic Substances) in 2025. This listing provides broad legal authority to implement preventive measures across the full PFAS lifecycle, including new restrictions on manufacturing, product content, and environmental releases. For example, Canada has proposed updated controls on PFAS-containing firefighting foams, fluorinated surfactants, and industrial uses that may lead to environmental discharges.

Drinking water guidelines

Health Canada’s efforts to manage PFAS contamination in drinking water reflect

this precautionary approach. In 2024, Health Canada published an updated objective for Canadian drinking water quality for PFAS. This objective recommends a treatment-based limit of 30 nanograms per litre (ng/L) as a cumulative sum for 25 high-priority PFAS. This guidance replaces earlier individual maximum acceptable concentrations set for PFOS and PFOA.

The 30 ng/L sum-of-25 objective was selected based on the technical feasibility of current treatment technologies, achievable detection limits, and the goal of minimising cumulative exposure. Although the guideline is not legally binding, it informs provincial regulators,

municipalities, and utilities responsible for public water systems.

Wastewater policy

In parallel, policymakers have begun addressing the role of wastewater in PFAS contamination. Traditional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), designed

Z Cristina Novo

primarily for nutrient removal and pathogen reduction, are generally unable to capture PFAS effectively. Consequently, PFAS discharged into wastewater enter receiving water bodies, sediments, and sludge.

While Canada has not yet established enforceable PFAS effluent standards for

wastewater treatment facilities, this is recognised as a critical regulatory gap.

The March 2025 State of PFAS Report recommends the development of discharge limits, PFAS monitoring requirements for wastewater plants, and national standards for PFAS levels in biosolids to prevent land-based contamination. The federal government is reviewing wastewater-specific regulations under CEPA and the Fisheries Act to address these pathways.

Provincially, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec have begun incorporating PFAS into their contaminated sites regulations and environmental quality guidelines for groundwater and biosolids management, but comprehensive wastewater discharge standards remain in development.

Monitoring programmes

Nationally coordinated monitoring of PFAS in drinking water has historically been limited. However, recent years have seen significant expansion in testing, particularly following Health Canada’s publication of its new PFAS objective.

In 2023-2024, ECCC and Health Canada initiated a targeted National Drinking Water Survey on PFAS, which sampled source water and treated drinking

In 2024, Health Canada published an objective for drinking water quality of 30 ng/L as a cumulative sum for 25 high-priority PFAS

The drinking water objective value is not legally binding, but informs provincial regulators, municipalities, and water utilities

water from over 40 municipal systems across Canada. The survey found that PFAS were detectable in approximately 85% of systems tested, with total PFAS concentrations ranging from below detection limits to 25 ng/L.

Several provinces have conducted their own monitoring programs. Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario have implemented voluntary or pilot monitoring of drinking water systems since 2019, finding similarly low but widespread PFAS detections.

Wastewater surveillance of PFAS remains more limited but is expanding. In 2024, ECCC launched a National Wastewater PFAS Monitoring Initiative as part of the broader Chemicals Management Plan. Samples were collected from influent, effluent, and biosolids at 15 municipal WWTPs across Canada. Preliminary results indicate that PFAS are present in nearly all wastewater streams analysed. Effluent discharges commonly contained total PFAS in the range of 50 to 150 ng/L, significantly higher than typical drinking water concentrations.

Biosolids, often applied to agricultural land, contained total PFAS concentrations ranging from 200 to 900 µg/kg (dry weight). This creates concern about the long-term fate of PFAS in soils and potential leaching into groundwater. Several provinces are now considering restrictions or enhanced monitoring requirements for biosolids land application.

Cleanup and remediation initiatives

The federal government manages a portfolio of over 20,000 contaminated sites across Canada, many of which are located at military bases, airports, and firefighting training facilities where PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) were historically used.

Through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP), renewed in 2020, Canada has prioritized PFAS remediation projects. As of 2025, over 130 federal sites have confirmed or suspected PFAS contamination. Cleanup efforts focus on containing PFAS plumes, installing groundwater extraction and treatment systems, and isolating contaminated soils.

Where groundwater contamination threatens public water supplies, local authorities have installed point-of-entry filtration systems, provided alternative drinking water supplies, or initiated

full-scale remediation projects. In some Indigenous communities affected by PFAS-contaminated firefighting foam releases, temporary bottled water supplies have been provided while long-term treatment solutions are implemented.

Some larger WWTPs in Canada have initiated pilot projects to explore PFAS removal technologies, including advanced oxidation, foam fractionation, and electrochemical destruction. However, these technologies remain expensive and are not yet widely deployed. At present, most wastewater systems lack fullscale PFAS treatment, allowing continuous low-level discharge into receiving waters. Recognising this issue, ECCC and several provinces are evaluating the feasibility of requiring PFAS pretreatment from industrial dischargers, tighter biosolids management controls, and eventual PFAS removal requirements for municipal WWTPs.

Canada in the global context: comparing PFAS water policies

Canada’s regulatory trajectory on PFAS increasingly parallels U.S. actions but with some important differences. In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set limits for five individual PFAS in drinking water. The enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS are 4 ng/L (ppt) each, and for PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX chemicals, the MCLs are 10 ng/L each. In addition, when two or more of PFNA, PFHxS, GenX chemicals, and PFBS are present together, a hazard index is applied to account for their combined health risks. However, in May 2025 the EPA announced its intent to rescind the regulations and reconsider the regulatory determinations for PFNA, PFHxS, GenX, and the hazard index mixture that includes these three substances plus PFBS. Furthermore, the U.S. has taken aggressive steps on PFAS

under its Superfund program, designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances in 2024 under CERCLA, which triggers strict cleanup requirements.

The U.S. standards are numerically more stringent than Canada’s 30 ng/L sum-of-25 objective, though Canada’s approach covers a broader set of PFAS compounds collectively. Canada is closely monitoring U.S. developments and may revise its objectives further based on emerging science and treatment capabilities.

The European Union adopted new Drinking Water Directive standards in 2020, setting a 100 ng/L limit for the sum of 20 PFAS and a 500 ng/L limit for total PFAS, with full implementation required by 2026. In 2023, the EU finalised the common monitoring list, defining exactly which 20 PFAS are included in the 100 ng/L sum parameter. Canada’s 30 ng/L objective is more protective than the EU standard in numerical terms, but not yet legally binding.

While Canada has not yet established PFAS effluent standards for wastewater treatment facilities, this is recognised as a regulatory gap

The EU is advancing a broad REACH restriction proposal that would phase out most non-essential uses of PFAS across consumer products and industrial applications. Canada’s class-based CEPA listing offers similar flexibility for future product controls but remains under policy development.

International organisations such as the OECD and UNEP continue to promote global PFAS phase-outs. Canada ratified the Stockholm Convention amendments listing PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and related chemicals for elimination, consistent with its domestic restrictions.

In summary, Canada’s PFAS strategy is broadly aligned with international best practices while tailoring regulatory measures to domestic capacities. The combination of class-based regulation, precautionary drinking water objectives, expanded monitoring, and growing investment in wastewater and remediation solutions reflects a comprehensive but still evolving national approach.

STEVE SALVIN CEO AND FOUNDER OF AIIMI

OPINION

From data to decisions: AI’s role in transforming the UK water sector

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to solve some of the most pressing issues in the UK water sector. With its ability to predict infrastructure failures, optimise operations, and improve communication with customers, it could help utility companies meet tough new regulatory targets. And, as the sector prepares for AMP8, the opportunity to embed AI at the heart of operations has never been more compelling.

Decades of data collected from infrastructure, customer interactions, environmental monitoring, and operational systems form a rich foundation for this transformation. What’s changing now is the ability to activate that data, turning it into actions. Beyond just insights, AI can now suggest next steps in plain English - helping teams act faster, plan smarter, and embed data-driven decisions into daily operations.

AI is already helping water companies reimagine what’s possible. For example, systems that once broke down without warning can be monitored in real time, using AI to flag early signs of deterioration before they turn into expensive emergencies.

In customer services, AI can simplify the language around complex infrastructure events like storm overflows. Instead of just technical updates, customers can receive clear, human-friendly explanations of what’s happening and why. This kind of transparency is essential at a time when public trust in the industry is under pressure.

In operations, energy-intensive systems like pumps and motors can be synced and optimised in line with real-time data on energy pricing and renewable availability. The result? Lower carbon emissions, reduced bills, and better use of the resources already in place.

AI also opens new possibilities for long-term climate resilience, helping water companies anticipate vulnerabilities and strengthen networks before issues arise, from flood-prone infrastructure to assets at risk during drought.

For years, the challenge has been how to access and use information effectively; much of it lives in legacy systems, disconnected formats, or organisational silos. But that’s changing.

AMP8 will see a surge in investment focused on digital transformation. As companies prepare for AI adoption, data modernisation is becoming a top priority. That means getting

years of legacy data into shape - ensuring it’s properly labelled, searchable, and consistently structured. It’s not just about traditional tabular data anymore. Documents, images, audio files, and even video are increasingly part of the picture, and all need to be governed, integrated, and made usable. This broader approach requires robust governance frameworks that support high-quality, accessible data. By improving system integration and building the right skills internally, water companies are laying the foundations for AI to deliver real value.

Adopting AI isn’t just about having the right tools - it’s also about getting the culture right. For real transformation to happen, data needs to be seen and managed as a strategic asset. That means building data and AI skills across teams and making sure efforts align with wider IT goals. Collaboration is key –

"With AI and data working hand in hand, the industry can rise to today’s challenges with greater confidence, resilience, and agility"

not just between departments, but also by learning from others across the sector. As AI opportunities evolve, some roadmap priorities may need to shift to make sure the business is set up to take full advantage.

With water bills rising in 2025, there’s a renewed focus on value for money. AI offers a path forward - to help deliver more meaningful outcomes for customers and the environment.

Having properly governed and high-quality data in place will enable the sector to unlock AI’s potential. The benefits are clear: more efficient operations, improved customer trust, climate resilience and smarter investment decisions. With AI and data working hand in hand, the industry can rise to today’s challenges with greater confidence, resilience, and agility and build a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable future.

DAMIAN LEWIS

MARKET

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT VIASAT ENTERPRISE

OPINION

Can satellites help water firms navigate this summer’s UK drought crisis?

After the Environment Agency recently raised concerns about the availability of water following the driest spring in nearly seven decades, the UK water industry faces a period of significant challenge as we move into summer.

With water firms under pressure to maximise efficiency with reduced resources, and industry bodies highlighting the ripple effect of droughts on industries like agriculture, a proactive approach is vital. It’s how the utility sector could weather this period of unpredictable, possibly intense, weather.

Fortunately, satellite-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) solutions could be a key component in pinpointing and managing issues in the water network. Satellite can be a key enabler of IoT due to the size and sometimes remoteness of infrastructure.

British water infrastructure is decades old in most areas, presenting complex challenges for utility firms beyond drought threats. Leaks, bursts, and inefficiencies are occurring all too often, leading to water loss and increased operational costs. Without real-time monitoring across these vast networks, it's tough to pinpoint exactly where and why problems are occurring, making quick fixes a real struggle.

This reactive approach means we're often playing catch-up, which is insufficient to prevent major disruptions. Plus, controlling assets remotely is often limited, forcing costly and time-consuming site visits even for small adjustments. The current situation demands a shift towards a more proactive and preventative approach to avoid major issues as drought risks loom.

The challenge with ageing water infrastructure can be boiled down to two key issues: awareness and control. Adopting IoT technologies can help utility firms overcome these issues, arming themselves with the insights they need to work around these challenges. By deploying sensors across the water network, utility firms can gather a wealth of real-time data on critical parameters such as reservoir levels, water pressure, flow rates and water quality.

Analysing this data using AI provides valuable insights into the health and performance of the infrastructure. These insights can enable early detection of leaks and identification of potential equipment failures, in addition to optimising water distribution,

which could prove invaluable should we see extreme drought conditions in the summer.

Control is just as important as monitoring. IoT devices can also be used to remotely control pumps, valves, and other equipment, enabling rapid responses to changing conditions and reducing the need for manual intervention. This proactive approach not only improves control of limited resources. It minimises operational costs and enhances network resilience for any unforeseen circumstances in the future.

"PFAS

have been a key target of environmental legislation in recent years, with many countries aiming to address their presence in drinking water"

The effectiveness of IoT hinges on reliable connectivity. Many parts of the UK’s water network are in remote areas where terrestrial connectivity is limited or non-existent.

Satellite-enabled IoT provides ubiquitous coverage, ensuring that all sensors and devices can communicate regardless of their location, even in the most remote or inaccessible areas. Narrowband satellite frequencies are also less susceptible to disruptions caused by extreme weather or disasters. Where telecommunications faults have led to environmental incidents in the past, space networks can provide an alternative or back-up to terrestrial networks, ensuring continuous environmental monitoring and remote infrastructure control.

The challenges ahead for the water industry are clear, but technology offers a part of the solution. Proactive monitoring isn't just about mitigating risk; it's about building a water network that’s resilient, efficient, and sustainable. Faced with unpredictable weather patterns and stretched resources, satellite IoT puts proactive water management firmly back in the hands of utility firms.

PROFESSOR GÜNTER BLÖSCHL

2025 STOCKHOLM WATER PRIZE LAUREATE

Professor Günter Blöschl has been awarded the 2025 Stockholm Water Prize for his transformative work in flood hydrology and water resource management. As a leading hydrologist and head of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management at Vienna University of Technology, he has helped shape the fields of regional process hydrology and sociohydrology, key to understanding how climate change drives global flood risk. Blöschl’s pioneering research has produced groundbreaking insights into the relationship between climate drivers and flood events, showing that recent decades have been significantly more floodprone than historical norms. His data-driven approach and global

perspective have revolutionised flood risk analysis, enabling more effective and sustainable water management practices worldwide. A visionary educator and mentor, Blöschl founded the Doctoral Programme of Water Resources Systems at Vienna University of Technology and has directed it for over 15 years. His work internationally, from the U.S. and Canada to Australia, reflects his belief in the importance of cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural exchange to address global water challenges. His work not only deepens our understanding of water systems under climate pressure but also lays the foundation for safer, more resilient communities around the globe.

ED MITCHELL

CEO OF WATER AND SANITATION FOR URBAN POPULATIONS (WSUP)

OPINION

Why low-income urban communities matter

With the recent dismantling of USAID and cuts in aid budgets elsewhere, what is the future for water and sanitation provision in urban slums, and why does it matter?

Migration and climate change pressures mean that extending water and sanitation services to low-income communities in urban areas in the Global South is getting harder, just as governments are reducing their aid spending.

The number of people living in cities in sub-Saharan Africa has grown from around 210 million in 2000 to over 500 million today and will double again by 2050. Both water scarcity and flooding are increasing, and for most new urban residents, the only available space to set up home is in climate-vulnerable areas such as flood plains, marshland and river valleys.

So what is the answer? In densely packed slums, the only sustainable solution is for existing utilities to extend services into these new settlements. This is a win-win; residents get reliable, affordable and higher quality water, and the utility becomes more financially sustainable. Likewise, in most cities in the Global South, only a small proportion of residents are connected to a functioning sewer system. So households are having to make alternative arrangements. Thankfully, examples of the “flying toilet” (a plastic bag filled and then tossed over the fence for those not familiar with this euphemism) are reducing, but there are still far too many rudimentary pit latrines operating on a “dilute and disperse” basis, with serious implications for public health. Again, the utility is key, often not as the direct service provider but by having a clear mandate to ensure that pit design is good and that emptying and disposal services are available and affordable.

Water and Sanitation for Urban Populations (WSUP) has helped more than 43 million people over the past 20 years by helping utilities better serve their low-income customers. In Madagascar, through a combination of “smart” pressure management and tackling leaks and commercial losses, we have helped the national utility JIRAMA save 5.9 billion litres of water, recovering US$ 850,000 and allowing them to extend services to over 750,000 new customers for the first time. In Bangladesh, we have supported local businesses, utilities, and city authorities

set up viable latrine-emptying businesses that serve low-income communities alongside richer customers, which, between them, now have over 2.5 million customers—creating economic development as well as protecting public health and the environment.

The enabling environment matters too. Stronger regulation leads to better service provision for the poor, which is why, for instance, WSUP has been supporting Kenya’s Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) to introduce a measure of service provision to low-income communities in their assessment of all 95 Kenyan utilities, and why we have worked with the World Health Organisation on their recently-published Roadmap for Advancing Sanitation Regulation, which we now want to roll out across Africa.

"Utilities

need support with reducing water losses, developing customer service models and accessible tariffs, contracting and procurement"

The challenge is that utilities need support in making this transition. They need help with reducing water losses, developing customer service models and tariffs that are accessible to low-income residents, contracting and procurement—in fact, all the things that a utility anywhere needs to do well to thrive. This won’t be paid for by loans, but without it, the loans won’t be effective, which is why grant funding remains vital. Thankfully, as governments step back, many corporate foundations and philanthropic donors are stepping forward—as evidenced by the recent announcements from Bill Gates, Jeff Skoll and others.

At WSUP, our mission is to drive inclusive and resilient urban water and sanitation systems and services through pioneering practices, partnerships, and policies. We do this because low-income urban communities and the utilities that serve them really do matter.

SOMETHING TO READ...

THE WORLD ATLAS OF RIVERS, ESTUARIES, AND DELTAS

A guide to Earth's dynamic waterways the Brisbane River

This book is a visually rich and informative guide to Earth's dynamic waterways. Blending maps, essays, and photographs, it explores how rivers, estuaries, and deltas shape ecosystems and human civilisations alike. It offers a compelling look at the critical role these landscapes play in our environmental and economic future.

SOMETHING TO ENJOY...

THE SEA

Summer’s anthem

"The Sea," written and performed by Morcheeba, is one of the English trip-hop band’s most iconic singles. Featured on their second album, Big Calm, the track has been widely praised for its distinctive sound and laid-back vibe. It’s the perfect song to unwind to and to let your mind drift toward summer days and the open sea.

BY: SWM TEAM

SOMETHING TO WATCH...

WATER WARRIORS

The power of standing united

This award-winning short documentary tells the powerful story of a community that stood together to resist the oil and gas industry. When an energy company begins to explore for natural gas in New Brunswick, Canada, Indigenous and nonIndigenous families join forces in a unified campaign to defend their water and protect their way of life.

The future FLOWS

For industries, cities, and life itself.

s that

WEG manufacturing park in Jaraguá do Sul, SC – Brazil

With a nominal diameter up to 1200 mm, TOM® is the largest PVC-O pipe in the world. It offers superior resistance, ductility and efficiency thanks to improvements in its unique molecular orientation.

With a nominal diameter of up to 1200 mm, TOM® is the largest PVC-O pipe in the world. It offers superior resistance, ductility and efficiency thanks to improvements in its unique molecular orientation.

Designed for maximum uniformity, ecoFITTOM® is the first PVC-O fittings range, offering unmatched strenght, lightweight, and corrosion resistance. Compatible with all PVC pipes for a superior performance.

Designed for maximum uniformity, ecoFITTOM® are the first PVC-O fittings, offering unmatched strenght, lightweight and corrosion resistance. Compatible with all PVC pipes for a superior performance.

From DN90 up to DN1200 mm

PN12.5, 16, 20 and 25 bar

From DN90 up to DN1200 mm PN12.5, 16, 20, and 25 bar

From DN110 up to DN400 mm PN16 bar

From DN110 up to DN400mm PN16 bar

*Check the conditions of the 50 Year Warranty at www.molecorsea.com

inquiry.malaysia@molecor.com www.molecorsea.com