World Water Week 2022

Across the globe, water experts are once again united to focus on one of humanity’s greatest challenges – transforming how we manage water. This week, 23 August to 1 September 2022, has been World Water Week. First organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) 30 years ago, this is an opportunity for those concerned with global water to find new ways of working towards a water-wise world. The theme this year is “Seeing the unseen: The value of water”.

We asked colleagues across the globe how water is valued in their parts of the world and about the novel approaches implemented to help tackle this issue.

EUROPE

“We are situated in a semi-arid environment - water is considered as a precious commodity, particularly in agriculture and tourism. We need to get better at being efficient with water and knowing how to manage it properly during times of scarcity. From a water preservation and efficiency point of view, I’m excited to be part of a digital solution using AI as an early warning platform to flag water pollution.”

Dr Ester Vilanova Muset, Head of Amphos 21 Digital Solutions, Barcelona, Spain, who has a PhD in hydrogeology

?According to the UN, overextraction of ground water, human intervention and surface water loss from rising temperatures has led to an increased risk of water shortages in Spain. In fact, intense irrigation in southern Europe has affected aquifers, leading to water scarcity and hydrological stress in terms of both water quantity and quality.

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ASIA?

“In Singapore, we have no natural water resources. Water is?imported from our neighbours and we are prudent with our water use. With developments like Keppel Marina East Desalination plant , Singapore’s water supply is diversified and made more sustainable. I am proud to be part of this Singapore water story to help maintain water security for my generation and future generations to come.”

Jason Tan, Director, Engineering, Binnies, Singapore

According to the UN, the Asia Pacific region contains 60% of the world’s population, but only 36% of its water resources. Excessive water extraction and pent-up demand for supplies have led to water scarcity. However, flooding is also a common occurrence in some parts of Asia.

AFRICA

“I am proud of the work we do in maintaining and installing water access to communities in dry regions in Tanzania. Access to water is a question of livelihood that remains an ongoing challenge in our country. The solar powered smart water taps that I’m maintaining are accessible 24/7 at any quantity, creating flexibility and accessibility for locals who would otherwise walk miles and miles for water. These taps generate a revenue for the local governments and employment for local staff in Singida and Dodoma.”

Joshua Kyambile, Plant Maintenance Engineer, RSK Tanzania, Africa

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According to the UN, only 9% of the world’s freshwater resources are estimated to exist in Africa. Most of the water is unevenly distributed, with 54% of Africa’s water located in Central and Western Africa. Climate change further exacerbates the water scarcity issue, affecting how communities view water.

MENA

“Water demand is outstripping water supply, leading to vast environmental, social and commercial impacts. RSK Middle East has witnessed first-hand the impacts of water scarcity on the livelihoods of vulnerable groups across southern Iraq. In some cases, this has led them to abandon their land and migrate from the rural to urban areas in search of clean water and other natural resources. The unprecedented scale and impact of water scarcity has moved into a new, heightened state of urgency, with swift and decisive action needed to address the challenge.?Collaboration between international bodies, national and regional governments, the private sector and civil society is needed to find practical and sustainable solutions to address the situation.“

Jak Fazakerley, Associate Director, RSK Middle East

?According to the UN, the MENA region is the most water scarce in the world; over 85% of the Arab population is living under water-scarce conditions. Factors leading to water stress in the region include increasing ambient temperatures, deteriorating water infrastructure, hydro-political issues over water resource rights, and conflict. Agriculture in the Middle East is also set to intensify in line with population growth, further impacting on water resources, and this is exacerbated by urbanisation and underdeveloped water infrastructure.

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UK

“As recent weeks have shown, water, although previously thought of as plentiful in the UK, can no longer be treated as the Cinderella utility. We are living through the effects of climate change today with droughts and floods coexisting due to extreme weather events. We need to manage our water carefully at all times, not just when it is in the headlines, and the government needs to mobilise the entire community behind this effort. Furthermore, the industry must reduce the amount of water lost to leaks from pipes, given that 25% of all water treated to food-grade standard and pumped to our homes and businesses is lost from the pipe before it is ever consumed.”

Mark Smith, Strategic Business Development Director, water sector

According to the UN, 75% of the urban water networks in the UK are more than 100 years old. The UK will be subject to more acute and frequent droughts, according to studies examining water resources and looking 50 years ahead. DEFRA also highlights the risks of surface-water flooding because of dry weather, and excessive discharges from storm overflows.

Let us keep this momentum to discuss and highlight the important issues of water – working together regionally and globally towards a water-wise world. Please get in touch and e-mail [email protected] with your comments and questions.