World News

1) US: CALIFORNIA

The development of drought-resilient water resources and a sustained emphasis on water-use efficiency mean that San Diego County will continue to have a safe and reliable water supply for decades, according to the San Diego County Water Authority’s draft 2015 Urban Water Management Plan. The draft plan - known as the 2015 UWMP has been released for public review. The Water Authority Board of Directors will consider adoption of the plan during its regular meeting on June 23.

2) US: NEW YORK

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $187,379,000 to the state of New York to help finance water project improvements. The funds will primarily be used to upgrade wastewater systems and drinking water systems throughout the state. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, was awarded $147,479,000.

3) BRAZIL

Over $10 billion worth of municipal water/wastewater contracts are under development through private participation in Latin America, according to market analyst Bluefield. Transformative events in Brazil, Cuba and Mexico are creating opportunities for global technology providers, system integrators and investors. Efforts by Cuba and the US to restore relations will also open the path for bidders to address the need for over $7 billion investment in Cuba’s water infrastructure.

4) SAUDI ARABIA

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Water & Electricity Minister Abdullah al-Husayen has been sacked with media reports quoting that an increase in water tariffs had not been implemented as planned.

The move to increase water and electricity tariffs, reducing government subsidies, has been introduced in response to the drop in oil price and a wider move from Saudi Arabia to raise non-oil revenue. In 2015 around 70% of the country’s revenues came from oil.

5) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Developers have been invited to prequalify for the utility provider FEWA (Federal Electricity & Water Authority) Umm al-Quwain seawater desalination project. After expressions of interest were received in early April, request for qualification (RFQ) documents were sent by FEWA to select companies. ILF Consulting Engineers will provide consultancy services for the IWP. FEWA is expected to appoint a developer to help create a long-term water purchase agreement.

6) SINGAPORE

Singapore utility PUB is adding to its desalination supply after calling for a tender to build a fourth project at Marina East. To be delivered under a design-build-own-operate arrangement, the 136,000 m3/day plant will treat two different sources of water: seawater from the Singapore Straits or raw water from the Marina Reservoir. Black & Veatch will provide consultancy services. By 2060, desalinated water is expected to provide up to 85% of Singapore’s water needs.

7) NEPAL

Indian engineering company VA Tech Wabag has won its second contract in Nepal after being awarded an order to expand a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Guheshwori. Worth 141 crores (US$21.2 million), the project is being funded by the Asian Development Bank and includes operation & maintenance over 10 years. The plant has a capacity of 16,200 m3/day and will be expanded to 32,400 m3/day. Plans include to generate power from biogas produced from onsite sludge.

8) HONG KONG

The Water Supplies Department of Hong Kong has approved a new data logging system from British company i2O to measure the performance of its water supply network. The organisation will deploy dNet, a new data logging system from i2O, as part of a hydraulic modelling project with consultants Black & Veatch and Innopipe Engineering Co. As part of the contract, loggers will be deployed throughout the Kowloon region of Hong Kong.

9) GERMANY

The European Commission (EC) has referred Germany to the Court of Justice of the EU for failing to take stronger measures to combat water pollution caused by nitrates. The decision followed recent reports from authorities in the country showing worsening nitrate pollution. The EC said although German authorities were warned back in 2014, they have not “taken sufficient additional measures to effectively address nitrates pollution and revise its relevant legislation to comply with the EU rules on nitrates”.

10) FINLAND

Helsinki Region Environmental Services (HSY) has awarded consultancy Pöyry detailed engineering assignments for the Blominmäki wastewater treatment plant to be built in Espoo, Finland. The Blominmäki treatment plant will replace the Suomenoja treatment plant once completed in 2020, and it will treat the wastewater from 400,000 residents. The Blominmäki treatment plant will be built mainly underground in caverns excavated into bedrock, and the excavation project is already in progress. Actual water treatment will take place underground, according to HSY. The value of the order was not disclosed.