Oct. 25, 2012 -- GHD, one of the world’s leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting companies, is hosting 15 Pacific Island nation delegates for a technical skill-building seminar prior to the 5th Pacific Water and Wastes Association (PWWA) conference and expo to be held in Auckland next month. Engineering News Record (ENR) recently placed GHD at #9 in its Annual Top List for water and wastewater companies.

The two-day seminar will promote the importance of, and offer guidance on, effective wastewater and sanitation management which is highly topical throughout Pacific Island nations. The sessions are aimed at highlighting specific utility needs and the most appropriate mechanisms to assist.

The seminar coincides with a recent report by the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme in April. The report, "Freshwater under Threat - Pacific Islands," cited water management as one of the greatest challenges to water security, particularly the limited technical and governance capability of some island nations.

Delivered pro bono by GHD, with travel costs for delegates funded by AusAID, the seminar incorporates Pacific, New Zealand, Australian and U.S. knowledge to encourage senior leader awareness and commitment, followed by practical options and tools for implementation of good practice sanitation options.

Steve Carne, water business leader at GHD says that "the UN report highlighted the challenges faced by Pacific nations in the area of wastewater and sanitation. What is apparent is the need for countries and industry to help provide greater capacity and technical know-how to Pacific nations that will allow them to improve public health and in turn, living standards."

"We are pleased to be doing our bit to help people in our Pacific region, we and look forward to watching good practices further develop within these communities. With Auckland having the largest Pacific population in the world, we feel it is imperative that we are doing something that leaves a lasting legacy on these island nations."

The seminar is aimed at equipping delegates with useful and practical information on good practices and improvement. It will also develop an informed basis for further discussions at the Pacific Water Conference with the theme "Wastewater and Sanitation - A Pacific Solution?" held immediately afterwards in Auckland from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

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