daily solutions 2010 show news - day 3

WHAT’S NEWS

HOTSHOT

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Companies are getting smart – and creative – about promoting environmental awareness at Singapore International Water Week. Yesterday, delegates may have noticed this group of avid “readers” consumed by an issue of “The Smarter Planet Times,” part of an IBM (booth E12) marketing initiative.

Sustainable Cities: Clean and Affordable Water Solutionsdaily

www.siww.com.sg

Thursday 1 July 2010

Morning Late Morning Afternoon Late Afternoon Evening

Australia Business Forum Americas Business ForumClosing Dinner @ Universal Studios

Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa(Guest-of-Honour:

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the

Environment and Water Resources, Singapore)

China Business Forum India Business Forum

Europe Business Forum Singapore Exchange Panel Discussion

Water Convention

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Water Expo & World Cities Summit Expo




Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre • 1 July 2010 • Issue 3

Thursday

Find out how Singapore Exchange activities affect the water industry

pg 4

Hear from just a few of the people around Asia discussing the business angle of water

pg 5

So, you want to know who won the IWA Innovation Awards on Wednesday evening? Also, see some more cool stuff at the Water Expo

pg 6

Our candid camera has been networking with the networkers, young and not so young

pg 8

Learn about more water issues from industry experts

pg 3

Today Singapore - Tomorrow the World

by Geoff Andrew

The team from the well-known TV programme “BBC World News World Debate” arrived in Singapore yesterday.

Hosted by the Institute of Water Policy, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the debate at the Raffles City Convention Centre addressed the vital question “Are we running out of water?”.

It is only the second time that the programme has been filmed in Singapore and coincided with the broad range of Water Week events at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The TV programme will be aired by BBC World

News around the region on Saturday and Sunday 17/18 July. In Singapore, it will be broadcast on Starhub Cable TV Channel 701.

Under the astute guidance of veteran BBC broadcaster Nik Gowing, the experts on the panel were:

• GerardPayen–President,AQUAFED–theAssociation for commercial water suppliers

• ErnaWitoelar–aformerIndonesian Minister for Human Settlements and Regional Development

• TanGeePaw–Chairman,PUB, Singapore

• ProfessorAsitBiswas–Third World Centre for Water Management

• GidonBromberg–Friendsof the Earth, Middle East.

The audience comprised nearly 200 industry experts attending the various activi-ties at Water Week, several of whom were invited to pose their own questions to the panel.

The most fundamental question ensured a rigorous exchange of opinions on the topic “By 2020, only 60% of the demand for water will be met”. The consensus view was that it will only become true if there is poor management or a lack of use of newer technologies.

Panellists began to disagree on how to address

UNDP’s prediction of increasing demand for water. Tan identified a change of mindset to “ensure that water is loaned, cleaned and re-used”, whilst Biswas felt that “the price for delivery, treatment and disposal was more important”. Payed believed that “costs can be reduced by developing the type of desalination found naturally in mangrove forests”.

Food and water issues do mix because, as Gidon explained, producing 1 kg of beef requires 10 times more water compared to 1 kg of wheat, whilst Tan felt that mindsets on food purchase needed changing.

Finally, the inevitable political angle was introduced because of the 250 shared cross-border river basins, but Biswas saw the benefits of co-operation rather than conflict whilst Erna considered that the potential conflicts should be a way of concentrating the minds of political leaders.

Do tune in to BBC World News on 17 or 18 July.

Panellists and moderator Nik Gowing

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LEE KUAN YEW WATER PRIZE 2010

The highlight of the Singapore International Water Week, the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize recognises outstanding contributions towards solving global water problems by either applying technologies or implementing innovative policies and programmes which benefi t humanity.

The Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC) has been awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2010. YRCC’s integrated river basin management strategies have transformed China’s second longest river over the past 10 years into a life-nurturing resource for more than one hundred million people. Large areas of wetlands and biodiversity have also been restored in the Yellow River Delta.

Through its sustainable technological innovations and holistic policies the YRCC has successfully balanced water availability with social, economic and ecological developments to benefi t future generations to come.

Nomination for Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2011 is now open until 31 October 2010.

Please visit www.siww.com.sg for nomination guidelines and form or email: [email protected].

Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize Sponsor:

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Solutionsdaily Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre Thursday • 1 July 2010 • Issue 3

by Khaw Chia Hui

Meet the industry

There is no better time to network with industry leaders than at the Water Week with 10 Industry-to-Industry Networking Sessions held throughout the week. Today, there will be two sessions hosted by the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Society (TUCSS) and the Association of Consulting

Events to look forward to TODAY & TOMORROW

Engineers Singapore (ACES) respectively.

These sessions bring together their members, Water Week delegates and exhibitors for an informal meet-up. Attendees can share ideas, understand the markets and network with the who’s who of the industry. The TUCSS session will be held in Networking Lounge 2 from 1pm to 2pm whilst the ACES session is from 4.30pm to 5.30pm, at

the same venue. Food and beverage will be provided.

Visuals galore

Held in conjunction with Water Week, the Best Post-er Award saw more than 100 entries encompassing topics such as Solutions for Water Systems Efficiency & Effectiveness, Planning for Sustainable Water Solutions, Water Quality & Health and Governance & Finance.

The judges looked at several criteria including poster organization, presentation and content, in a judging session held on June 29, 2010. In assessing the sole winner, 70% of the marks were based on a panel of more than 20 judges, all experts in their own fields, and

the remaining 30% from delegates’ votes.

There was plenty of interaction among the delegates and contestants, when inspecting the entries on display in the foyer on Level 2.

The winner will be announced today at the closing of the Water Convention, in room 203 at 4pm and will take home a cash prize of S$1,000 and a framed certificate.

Explore Singapore’s water icons

As one of the leaders in the water industry, wouldn’t it be interesting to experience Singapore’s water facilities first-hand? At Water Week, there will be five technical tours in which delegates can take part. All you need

to do is to sign up at the registration counter.

On Friday, 2 July, the tours will visit Punggol 21+, Marina Barrage and NEWater Visitor Centre, Deep Tunnel Sewerage System, Changi Water Reclamation Plant and Sembcorp NEWater Plant, Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Plant at Ulu Pandan and four ABC Waters projects (Kolam Ayer ABC Waterfront, Balam Estate Rain Garden, MacRitchie Reservoir and ABC Waters@Kallang River-Bishan Park).

The tours will be conducted simultaneously. Free shuttle services will leave Suntec Convention Centre at 9am and return from the sites at 2pm. Make sure you book a place, folks.

by Majella Gomes

“Thecruxofthematter–although everyone fights shy of admitting it - is that the opportunity to make money is what drives technology,” stated Dr Andrew Benedek flatly at the Water Leaders Summit Roundtable 2. The session on Innovative Technology

for Clean and Affordable Water saw five speakers from the private sector who talked about the advances made by their respective organisations in the treatment, recovery and management of water resources.

Dr Kenji Matsumoto outlined the latest developments in RO

technology, whilst Charles Gordon of Siemens spoke about the challenges of using less energy to create more usable water. “Water is a local issue,” said Gretchen McClain of ITT Corp. “We need to understand local needs before we know how to manage it properly. The biggest expense is for

the energy used in water treatment, so if we have the appropriate technology to control processes, the cost of water can be reduced.”

This symbiotic water-energy relationship was also addressed by Leon Awerbuch of the International Desalination Association who remarked that the current myriad technologies would eventually help to provide reliable water supply at reasonable costs.

The question of cost was uppermost in the third Roundtable, which included speakers from multi-nationals and finance institutions. Everyone wants water to be as cheap as possible (or free, preferably) but its infrastructure is inevitably expensive. Roundtable 3 focused on financing strategies and affordability. Steve Bolze of GE stated that its policy is one of long-term growth and profit. Accordingly, it seeks out long-term investments.

Money and technology make water flowManila Water, on the other hand, made its services just too good to resist, convincing customers to connect to its network through better delivery, customer service and competitive pricing, said its CFO, Luis Juan Oreta.

Dr Bindu Lohani of ADB pointed out that both urban and rural projects (which are often more expensive) have to be considered when deciding on finance, and the decisions were never based solely on profitability, as equity was sometimes provided for up to 30 years. Olivia Lum of Hyflux singled out government guarantees, collaboration and commitment to projects as integral to success, and the last speaker, Hiroshi Watanabe of Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) wrapped it up succinctly when he said, “Right now, there is more money in the world than water, so it is not about the money!”

Experts share their insights

Taking advantage of networking opportunities

Questions&Answers4

SolutionsdailySuntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre Thursday • 1 July 2010 • Issue 3

InBriefEWI announces first RFP resultsThe Environment and Water Industry Programme Office (EWI) announced the results of its first Request-for-Proposal (RFP) for Industry-Led Research. The aim of this RFP is to solicit R & D proposals from the local industry in all aspects of water. 6 companies were awarded S$1 million in research funds.

PUB and PWN Technologies in joint alliance PWN Technologies and PUB will collaborate on research into new technologies for water treatment processes and jointly perform demos on these technologies in operational conditions.

Collaborative partnership for innovative water technology solutionsMeidensha Corporation (MEIDEN) and PUB have signed an agreement to collaborate on research for advanced water treatment technology.

Round-up of water re-use roundtable seriesThe final session of Black & Veatch’s global series of water re-use roundtables at Water Week concludes the four-country series which included six industry dialogue sessions held in Paris, Brisbane, Chicago, Orlando, Washington DC and Singapore. Meanwhile, the company has donated S$25,000 to the Emergency Resource Group of the Singapore Water Association.

ITT and PUB agree to explore R&D possibilitiesITT Water & Wastewater Division, Stockholm and PUB are in collabo-ration to explore R&D possibilities and project test-bedding in common areas of interest namely energy efficient pumping and secondary wastewater.

Tokyo trade missions to five Asian countriesThe five missions during August-October 2010 will visit India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Maldives. They will identify issues relating to water utilities.

The third in a three-part question-and-answer series on how innovative technology, good governance and sound finance are improving the water world of today

It is a para-dox of our times that despite the awareness that a hu-man being cannot sur-vive beyond

a few days without water, the water sector is one of the most under-funded.

“The long-term growth prospects of the water sector are blighted by the fact that water, in general, is sold for less than it costs to treat and deliver,” argued Christopher Gasson in a recent editorial in Global Water Intelligence magazine.

With the help of the Singapore Exchange, however, the times may be a-changing.

Already, 27 cleantech companies are listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), 13 of which are in the water sector, and this obviously provides valuable capital for these growing companies.

Those companies interested in finding out how to successfully list on SGX would do well to attend the Singapore Exchange Panel Discussion & Networking Reception today (Thursday) to hear Ong Chong Jin, Head of Marketing and Business Development at SGX, and panelists share their insights.

Daily Solutions also interviewed Mr. Ong separately on his views abouthowcleantech–andwater-related companies in particular–couldhaveasuccessful relationship with SGX.

DS: There is a lot of interest in companies involved with cleaning up the environment in some way, but what would enable these companies to list successfully on SGX?

Ong: Companies with proven technology and services will attract investors’ attention. Every company will have their own value proposition. Businesses need to make clear what that would be. How well companies succeed will be driven by the fundamentals of their businesses. We would welcome more cleantech companies listing on our exchange. We currently have 27 and a 28th is coming soon. Ours is a proven platform and companies do access equity capital through listing platforms.

DS: How can these companies list on SGX?

Ong: We have our main board and a Catalist board. Our main board has certain entry criteria and is intended for companies with a longer track record. The Catalist platform has more flexibility. Many aspiring water technologies have a track record which is shorter. Some may be start-ups. We have even had one Catalist company which was loss-making when it listed.

How SGX can help to grow cleantech companiesDS: What do you think of the prospects of Cleantech companies generally?

Ong: Cleantech itself is an emerging business activity. It also links to higher social awareness –forexample,theimportanceof a cleaner environment and renewable energy. Some activities are proven; some have yet to be proven. Companies will need to demonstrate the value-add in their space.

DS: What are some of the biggest challenges water technology companies may face with respect to listing?

Ong: If start-up companies are not positioned in the right way, that would limit the amount of equity capital. Among aspiring cleantech companies, some will not succeed. But, many successful companies in Silicon Valley also had those challenges when they began, so it can be done.

Editor’s note: This article was reproduced in part from The Water Leader, an Institute of Water Policy newsletter.

Ong Chong Jin

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Solutionsdaily Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre Thursday • 1 July 2010 • Issue 3

SEA of opportunities

by Majella Gomes

The South-East Asia Business Forum was an appropriate platform for companies seeking opportunities in the region. Not only did government officials present an up-to-date picture of what water resource management and infrastructure was required in their respective countries, representatives from multinationals were also on hand to share their experiences and expertise.

Of particular interest were the presentations from Dr Mareth Mok and His Excellency Ohn Myint. Dr Mok, Cambodia’s Minister of the Environment,

covered the current needs of the country for development of water resource management and infrastructure and outlined the relevant government policy and legal framework. His Excellency, Myanmar’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, spoke of the challenges facing his nation: providing the energy necessary for good water resource management and the threat of climate change.

Chan Yoon Kum, PUB Singapore’s Assistant Chief Executive, said that Singapore’s water consumption was high for a relatively small population because it was extensively industrialised. This was also the reason for the country’s re-doubled efforts in recycling and desalination. He added that there were still opportunities to get on the Singapore water wagon, however, as the tendering process was now online and therefore also accessible to non-resident companies.

Re-using water in Middle-East and North Africa

Accelerating water industry development

by Shantini Harriet

Water re-use is gaining significant popularity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with increasing water scarcity. Against this backdrop, the theme for the 2010 MENA Forum “Water Re-use”, speakers from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Oman and UAE provided a comprehensive overview of upcoming water re-use projects and insights into the potential business opportunities in the region as well as the many challenges which it needs to overcome.

These challenges were the topic of concern for His Excellency Dr Mahmoud Abu Zeid, President of the Arab Water Council during his opening address at the forum. For over 8,000 years water-based civilizations have flourished in the MENA region despite the fact that it is an arid region. The major challenges faced are water scarcity, food insecurity and access to

by Khaw Chia Hui

Speaking to a packed room at the Japan Business Forum, Masakazu Ichikawa, Deputy Director-General for Infrastructure and Advanced Systems Promotions, Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry of Japan outlined seven strategies to expedite development of the water industry.

The seven strategies are:

- Policy Dialogue

Water Policy Dialogues should be established where it serves as a platform for strategic countries to meet and strengthen partnerships.

clean water and sanitation. The added vulnerability of water resources, mounting environmental problems and inefficiencies in the governance structure further adds to the problems in the region. With distinct differences between the different countries, about 83 million people (27 %) need to be supplied with safe water and 96 million

- Technology Development and Demonstration

Demonstration of innovative core technology such as new models for water resource recycling will strengthen government support.

(30 %) with sanitation services in order to meet the United Nations Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).

Some of the innovations in non-conventional interventions to narrow the gap between supply and demand which have been implemented are desalination of sea water, municipal wastewater and drainage reuse, and groundwater development for wadi-systems.

Through more improved quality of water services as well as better governance in water resources, Dr Mahmoud believes that the region will have a better chance of overcoming the challenges and the ramifications of imbalances in the supply-demand chain.

- Consortium Formulation

A consortium in which Japan is involved tackles water treatment technology and packages it into a know-how package. Countries can also collaborate

Masakazu Ichikawa

Chan Yoon Kum

on other infrastructure projects in the region.

- Public - Private Partnership (PPP)

PPP and Public Finance Initiative (PFI) systems should be promoted and exploited for domestic markets.

- Human Resource Development

Countries need to examine their human resource development tools and make the best use of overseas trainees who have participated in programmes such as JICA.

- Financial Support

Government policy agencies relating to the water industry should find ways to expand and bolster finance tools.

- Standardization

With so many companies coming up with their own advanced technologies, there is always a need to have some form of standardization.

The Japan Business Forum is jointly organized by PUB Singapore and the Japan Water Forum. It consisted of a speech session and roundtable discussion.

Mahmoud Abu Zeid

Business Forums TodayEvent Time Room

Australia 9:00 am Level 3, Gallery EastChina 9:00 am Level 6, Hall 603Europe 9:30 am Level 6, Hall 601India 1:00 pm Level 3, Gallery EastAmericas 2:00 pm Level 6, Hall 603

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CoolStuffUsing the sun to create water

Utilizing the sun to create drinking water from seawater may sound like a dream come true but that is exactly what Solar Driven Membrane Distillation unit from Memsys Clearwater Distribution

Pte Ltd promises to do. This is the first time that membrane distillation process is being commercialized and uses new German technology which was seven years in the making.

Designed for disaster relief and remote areas lacking water and infrastructure, the desalination unit is completely mobile and independent of external infrastructure. It will be placed in a 20-foot shipping container, will be driven entirely by solar power (both thermal and PV), and is designed to run with a minimum of maintenance and huge energy savings.[Memsys : Booth #M24]

Snowing in on youWaiting for natural snow to come can be a hit-and-miss affair. Why not make your own? IDE Technologies’ lat-est all weather snowmaker is capable of producing up to 1,600 m2 per day of environmentally-friendly snow at all ambient temperatures.

Based on IDE’s Vacuum Ice Maker (VIM) technology, water is exposed to a deep vacuum where it produces water-snow mixture. It is then pumped out to a snow concentrator which separates the water from snow crystals and extracts the snow. This particular technology has been operating for more than 20 years worldwide.[CDM: Booth #E18]

Stick it inAccording to studies in Japan, Korea and US, drinking alkaline water could help to restore the pH balance in our body, slow down the effects of aging and enhance detoxification. However, obtaining alkaline water on the go can be challenging.

Biocera Co Ltd have invented a portable ionizer known as the Natural Antioxidant Alkaline Ion Stick which converts regular drinking water into alkaline water. You just need to dip it in water for five to ten minutes and swish it around to wash it. Then put it into your drinking water; five minutes later, you can start drinking.

It measures 20mm in diameter and 113mm in height, making it highly portable. As for shelf life, it lasts for about four to six months. [Biocera : Booth #H21]

IWA Awards celebrate excellence in engineering projectsSingapore’s national water agency, PUB’s Marina Barrage and Variable Salinity Plant emerged as winners of the 2010 International Water Association’s (IWA) Asia Pacific Regional Project Innovation Awards in the Design and Applied Research categories respectively at the Asia Pacific Regional Awards Ceremony and Dinner held last night at the Megu Event Hall at the Singapore Flyer.

The Variable Salinity Plant and Marina Barrage which creates the Marina Reservoir are shining examples of PUB’s innovative solutions to meet the country’s challenge in ensuring water sustainability. Apart from augmenting Singapore water supply, the Marina Barrage also helps in flood control and offers a host of recreational possibilities such as boating and wind surfing.

The full list of all winners in their respective categories given due recognition are:

Applied Research

Variable Salinity Plant PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency Singapore

Design

Marina Barrage CDM and PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency Singapore

Operations/ManagementFutureFlow Irrigation Modernisation Project

Goulburn-Murray Water’s FutureFlow Alliance Australia

PlanningClarence Valley Coffs Harbour Regional Water Supply

CVC, CHCC, NSW Public Works and Leighton Contractors Australia

Small ProjectsFlinders/Shoreham Pressure Sewer Project

‘us’ – Utility Services and South East Water Australia

IWA President, David Garman congratulated all winners and expressed his satisfaction with the achievements of each of the projects entered this year, “The IWA Project Innovation Awards recognizes innovation in water engineering projects globally. This year, we received many outstanding entries from the Asia Pacific region and we are pleased to celebrate these unique achievements at the 2010 Singapore International Water Week.”

The Project Innovation Awards Programme (PIA) was established by

the International Water Association in 2006 to recognize excellence and innovation in water engineering projects throughout the world. The Awards programme supports IWA’s goal to “connect water professionals worldwide to lead the development of effective and sustainable approaches to water management”. Amongst other criteria, the evaluation of projects was based on social, economic and sustainable design and the future value to the water engineering profession.

It is the first time Canadian companies and government officials have come under one pavilion with 12 companies, two provincial governments (British Columbia and Ontario) and the federal government.

According to trade commissioner Michael Redenbach, companies are mostly exhibiting pipeline and leak inspection solutions. There are also seawater screening and water treatment products available. In addition, an investment firm, XPV Capital Corporation, is on hand to take questions and share thoughts.

Redenbach added that the exhibitors are happy with the global response they are getting and opportunities from Singapore’s government agencies. Delegates who want to meet Canadian speakers can go to the pavilion and obtain the relevant contacts.

Canada Pavilion : total solutions

Marina Barrage

A valuable new book has been launched by the Institute of Water Policy (IWP) to draw attention

to the contrasting Drinking Water Adequacy levels around Asia.

It is the result of work by four full-time researchers and edited by Seetharam Kallidaikurichi and Bhanoji Rao.

The book can be purchased from NUS Press, with further details available by email from Marketing Manager Joann Keong at [email protected]

For your extra reading pleasure

See you at the next Singapore International Water Week from 4 to 8 July 2011

Thank Youfor being a part ofSingapore International Water Week 2010

SIWW_AD_SponsorLogos_V1.indd 1 6/28/10 11:34:58 AM

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Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Matt Young

Managing EditorGeoff Andrew

ReportersMajella GomesShantini HarrietKhaw Chia Hui

PhotographerDwayne Foong

DesignerWinson Chua

Sales & MarketingMatt Young

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daily solutions 2010 show news - day 3

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