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Water Leaders Summit
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Undoubtedly the crowd-puller of the day – the Water Leaders Summit – headlined by 4 keynote plenaries cast the spotlight on critical issues faced by the water sector. Convening global water leaders in the likes of Maree Lang, Managing Director, Greater Western Water, Patrick Decker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Xylem, Mads Leth, Chief Executive Officer, VCS Denmark, Elijah Hutchinson, Vice President, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Debra Roberts, Co-Chair, Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Jose Victor Emmanuel A. de Dios, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manila Water, Steve Clark, Chief Executive Officer, SUEZ Asia, Alan Ryder, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, RSK Group, Neeta Pokhrel, Chief of Water Sector Group, Asian Development Bank, Chew Men Leong, President, Urban Solutions, ST Engineering, Professor Asit Biswas, Distinguished Visiting Professor, Glasgow University, strategic discussions on key thematic areas including climate resilience, resource circularity, and sustainability to spur collective action were aplenty.
Here’s leaving you with some memorable quotes for reflection, as we ponder on ways to navigate the existential threats of climate change:
“From the lens of a ‘one water standpoint’, we must overcome droughts and dry weather spells with a collective, nation-wide strategy, where we connect water resources more effectively and efficiently.”
“We must partner cities to take advantage of good water management. Achieving market liquidity is a win-win situation, and it is that that makes an organisation bankable and sustainable.”
“Water water everywhere, not a drop to drink. More than ever now, we must pay attention to warnings from nature, going back, re-learning and building it into our systems.”
“Digitalisation, you need to unleash it, cash it and use it to get into dialogue with customers. It is an entry point towards greater inclusivity.”
“Climate change is real and it will kill us if we do nothing. Climate change is not about government and litigation only. It is about an individual.”
“The water sector role is crucial. 60% of adaptation or intervention measures lies in water when it comes to managing effects of climate change. It is therefore critical to talk to water people, bringing resources and dialogue to water actors.”
“Act now, the adaptation gap is increasing, lest it becomes too late.”
Water Convention Technical Sessions
Today marks the start of the 47 Water Convention technical sessions that seeks to push the lever forward in addressing current and emerging water challenges. Covering wider topics in policy planning to stakeholder engagement and cross-sectorial collaboration, as well as asset management and network renewal, delegates had a lot to soak in while engaging in fruitful discussions and debates.
Over the course of the day, the high-quality presentations also zoomed in on technological innovations, management strategies and best practices zoomed in topics such as membrane technologies for reuse, innovations in desalination – pre-treatment, non-municipal wastewater reuse, wastewater-based epidemiology, and digital twins for water quality management.
Water Expo @ SIWW2022
It was a melting pot of products, services, and solutions in the Water Expo. Local and regional buyers with specific sourcing needs or purchasing plans were able to browse through the latest innovations, solutions and products put up by some 250 international exhibitors, including 12 pavilions, offering solutions across 21 product categories, ranging from Catchment Management, Coastal Protection/ Engineering, Desalination and Water Reuse, Disinfection Technologies, Industrial Water Solutions, Robotics and Automation, Water Demand Management, Water Distribution and Network Management, etc.
Some highlights of the day include:
Singapore Pavilion Product Showcase
The Singapore Pavilion is organised by the Singapore Water Association. Participating exhibitors brought their best-in-class technologies and innovations to an in-person Product Showcase at The Stage, B2 from 9am – 12pm. Trade delegates and visitors had the opportunity to learn more through a series of product demonstrations, from portable water filters, sealing solutions for cables and pipes, to fluid control systems and membrane technology.
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Exhibitor Product Showcases
- 1.00pm: Advances in Membrane Technologies for Water Industry Applications
- The pathway of developing and commercializing a technology inspired by mother nature: Forward Osmosis.
- Towards efficient and fouling-resistant membranes for water treatment: Chemical, physical and machine learning pathway
- 1.40pm: CPG Corporation - Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
- Environmental Management
- Stormwater Management
- Water & Wastewater Plant
- 2.20pm: De Nora AOP Solution
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Visiting Delegations
Amidst trade delegates and visitors streaming into the Expo Halls, the Water Expo also welcomed visiting delegations from Malaysia Water Association and PERPAMSI - Persatuan Perusahaan Air Minum Seluruh Indonesia. Delegates include Chairman of PERPAMSI, President Director of Water Utility Kota Bogor, President Director of Water Utility Kota Samarinda and Operational Director of Water Utility Kota Surabaya.
Singapore Netherlands Water Innovation Forum
It was full house at the Singapore Netherlands Water Innovation Forum today! The session’s comprehensive line-up opened with addresses by H.E. Margriet Vonno, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Singapore and Chew Men Leong, President, Singapore Water Association.
Following this was a panel discussion that built on broad knowledge and experience in coastal and urban resilience of both countries. Fronted by panellists, including Michèle Blom, Vice Minister, Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Annemiek Nijhof, Chief Executive Officer, Deltares, Chua Soon Guan, Deputy Chief Executive (Planning & Development), PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, Professor Koh Lian Pin, Director, Centre of Nature-Based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, the session moderated by Johan Verlinde, Program Manager Rotterdam Climate Adaptation Plan, the panel spoke about the quintessential need to collaborate on many levels, from policy exchange to research and development, as well as global challenges that would require bold solutions to keep cities sustainable, liveable and safe.
The forum then culminated in company pitches on:
- Climate adaptation and coastal resilience: Delta Marine Consultants, FlexBase
- Circular economy and resource recovery: Dutch Water Refinery
- Water technology and digitalization: Acquaint, C-Cube, Optiqua, Wateroam Delta Marine Consultants, FlexBase, Dutch Water Refinery, Acquaint, C-Cube, Optiqua, Wateroam
Networking Functions
What’s a trade event without an abundance of networking opportunities, over a mug (or two) of NEWBrew, no less?
Over at Industry Night @ Water Expo and Water Leaders Networking reception tonight, delegates and exhibitors had time to unwind and indulge in casual banter after a fulfilling day of business meetings, discussions, and learning, with a beer in hand!
Making its return at SIWW2022 and for the first time going on public sale, NEWBrew is a unique craft beer made using NEWater, Singapore’s own brand of ultra-high grade recycled water.
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