According to the IDA, there are more than 1000 desalination plants in Latin America, capable of producing four million cubic metres per day. Three countries are leading the market: Brazil, with 40% of this production - followed by Chile and Mexico, which represent 30% of production capacity in more than 400 plants. Industry is the main driver for desalination growth especially in oil and gas and mining in such countries as Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico and Colombia.
To reflect this, several technical sessions will be dedicated to regional success stories that showcase how water reuse and desalination are helping in Latin American countries to develop the main economic sectors. Other sessions will address water policy, development, governance, finance and market challenges, water reuse practices, desalination and water reuse in industrial applications.
In total, approximately 350 abstracts representing 40 countries were submitted for consideration in the WC technical program, which will run from the Monday to the Thursday. Furthermore, additional presentations and panels will be available in the Innovation Theatre.
Three facility tours have been organised to give visitors a flavour of local projects. They will include Sabesp’s Rio Grande Water Treatment Plant, which supplies 1.5 million people with water using ultrafiltration membranes; Aquapolo Ambiental - the largest water reuse system for industrial purposes in the Southern Hemisphere and also the Sanasa Mebrane Bioreactor (MBR) installation treating municipal wastewater.
As well as the conference, exhibition and networking opportunities in the daytime, a “Cultural Night” has been organised on Tuesday 17th October. A Samba School will bring all the excitement of the Carnivale to the World Congress and light up the night with a performance that embodies the festival spirit and theme of the world renowned Samba Parade.
