• White paper outlines innovative ideas from industry thought leaders during six major global conferences
KANSAS CITY, MO, Sept. 20, 2010 -- Dan McCarthy, President and CEO of Black & Veatch's global water business, today posted four key recommendations for overcoming global barriers to reuse of water as part of an integrated water industry portfolio. High-level roundtable discussions with approximately 75 water industry thought leaders at or during six major global conferences yielded the recommendations as well as actions and processes to help the water industry overcome identified barriers to water reuse.
These recommendations are a part of a just-released white paper by McCarthy, titled "Overcoming Global Barriers to Water Reuse," available at http://waterdialogue.com/resources/reuse-whitepaper/.
"Our purpose was to delve deeper into issues commonly seen as potential barriers to water reuse and to provide a platform for networking and linking our clients, colleagues and business partners," McCarthy said. "This enlightening series of conversations won't immediately eliminate barriers, but helps our partners learn more about the challenges we collectively face and raise awareness of issues and potential solutions."
Representatives of leading agencies around the world came together to discuss common themes and specific regional differences in reuse practices. Some came from geographic regions with rapidly expanding populations, some from arid or water-stressed locations, and others from areas where water was plentiful.
Taking part in the six conversations -- three in the United States, two in Asia Pacific and one in Europe -- were panelists from 13 countries: Israel, Saudi Arabia, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Mexico, United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, PR China and Hong Kong SAR. They represented a wide spectrum of experience with water reuse.
Four key recommendations emerged from discussion points common to the various venues, leading to the conclusion that water utility and other industry leaders should:
• work together to overcome existing public misconceptions through clear, consistent and continuous communications about water reuse and its place within an integrated water portfolio;
• emphasize the value of recycled water as a sustainable resource that will help meet future demands on the water supply;
• take a more integrated and open-minded approach to portfolio management as they develop water resources for their customers; and
• call for more streamlined regulations and clearer guidelines around standards in order to improve industry knowledge of the impact of water reuse.
Participants agreed that adequate future water supply hinges on intelligent recovery and reuse, but advancing the option of water reuse will require new ways of thinking and greater cooperation among agencies working with water, wastewater and stormwater. Better controls, data monitoring, public education and portfolio management, as well as continuously learning from best-management practices and models around the world, will also help overcome potential barriers to water reuse.
"We deeply appreciate the contribution of time and expertise of roundtable participants from around the world who came together to share their knowledge, insights and best practices for the benefit of all," McCarthy said.
Links to the white paper, other background materials and published articles about each individual roundtable discussion are also available on the microsite www.waterdialogue.com .
Additional information for editors
Participants represented a wide spectrum of experience with reuse and included government officials; municipal and private water/wastewater utility leaders; financial advisers; technical experts, suppliers; non-profit agency representatives; manufacturers of food, pharmaceuticals and chemicals; trade association leaders and academics.
Each roundtable was held at or during a major industry conference between October 2009 and June 2010:
- Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) - 12 October 2009, Orlando, Florida
- Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies' Water Climate Forum (WCF) - 28 January 2010, Washington, D.C.
- Australian Water Association's Ozwater'10 (Ozwater) - 8 March 2010, Brisbane, Australia
- Global Water Intelligence's Global Water Summit (GWS) - 26 April 2010, Paris, France
- American Water Works Association's Annual Conference & Exhibition 2010 (ACE) - 23 June 2010, Chicago, Illinois
- Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) - 30 June 2010, Singapore
About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients' needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions are provided from the broad line of service expertise available within Black & Veatch, including conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, program management, construction management, environmental, security design and consulting, management consulting and infrastructure planning. With $2.7 billion in revenue, the employee-owned company has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents.
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