| HIGHLIGHT
Protecting water resources means protecting health (and lower water bills): Key takeaways from the APE & Eau de Paris joint seminar
Effective upstream protection of water resources from pollution sources is the most effective and less expensive way to ensure high water quality. The new Drinking Water Directive requires to prioritise preventive measures to mitigate pollution risks at the catchment level, establishing a beneficial synergy with the Water Framework Directive. Many good practices – often relying on stakeholders’ cooperation - already exist, demonstrating that this approach can enhance higher water (and soil) quality, while reducing treatment costs and, ultimately, the water bill.
These are the main conclusions of the seminar “PROTECTING WATER RESOURCES: TIME TO ACT!”, co-organised by Aqua Publica Europea and Eau de Paris in the French capital on 29 November. The event featured contributions from representatives of European and national institutions, NGOs, experts and public water utilities. Click here to view the event report, photo album, and presentations.
| APE NEWS
From service providers to water cycle managers: Exploring the new mission of public water operators
Public water operators are progressively enlarging the scope of their activity to address the new challenges and societal needs that are driven by the combination of economic transformation, climate change and regulatory developments. From biodiversity protection to water reuse, from water quantity planning to nutrients recovery, water operators are taking new responsibilities, developing additional capabilities, integrating a wider range of expertise.
This evolution goes beyond simply adding new functions; it is fundamentally reshaping the mission of public water utilities. The transformations and their implications were discussed by APE Management Board, during a strategy review meeting held in Paris on 28 November. Board members agreed that the traditional definition of ‘service providers’ no longer fully captures the role of public water utilities, which are increasingly transitioning into true water cycle managers.
APE delegation invited to attend the Executive Management Conference of the American Municipal Water Agencies Association
In October, APE board members Miguel Lemos Rodrigues (Águas de Gaia, Portugal) and Roberto Mantovanelli (Acque Veronesi, Italy) represented APE at the Executive Management Conference of the American Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) in Miami. During the meeting, they were invited to share insights on APE's initiatives and present the governance of the European water sector to US colleagues. Their participation is meant to pave the way for greater collaboration between APE and AMWA, with discussions focused on key challenges and opportunities for exchange between the water sector on both sides of the Atlantic, including: PFAS and emerging pollutants, Security & Cybersecurity, Digitalisation & Artificial Intelligence.
APE was invited for a meeting at the European Parliament by Spanish MEP Vicent Marzà to discuss resilience post-DANA
At the invitation of MEP Vicent Marzà, APE had the opportunity to exchange with elected representatives from some of the municipalities most impacted by the DANA. Hearing the firsthand accounts of the tragic events in Valencia was affecting, and the extent of the devastation is concerning. We discussed what solutions should be prioritised in the reconstruction phase in order to increase resilience, taking into account the current EU framework and drawing on the experience and best practices of APE members.
APE joins other organisations in calling on the European Parliament to start swiftly the negotiations on new quality standards for water
APE, together with EurEau, the European Water Association (EWA), the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), has signed a joint letter urging the European Parliament to act swiftly and authorise the start of trilogue negotiations to protect Europe’s water resources. Read our full joint letter here. Further to our letter, the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) voted to open trilogues with the European Commission and the Council on 4 December.
APE showcases innovative strategies to combat water scarcity at Metropolis Solution Lab 5
On 23 October, APE took part in an exchange organised by Metropolis on Cities Under Water Stress, as part of their Solution Lab model, which promotes policy exchanges between cities worldwide. During the event, we presented our publication on strategies to tackle drought and water scarcity, showcasing best practices from our members and the tangible solutions they are implementing to better prepare for water scarcity. The full publication is available here.
APE shares insights into EU policy developments at France Eau Publique's General Meeting in Troyes, France
Following the EU elections in June, the formation of a new European Commission and European Parliament marked a significant shift in the EU’s political landscape. At the General Meeting of France Eau Publique - the French Association of Public Water Operators - that took place in Troyes on 13 November, APE shared insights on the implications of these elections for the newly established institutions and provided an overview of anticipated policy developments affecting the water sector. We also explored key updates on the implementation of the Drinking Water Directive and the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), highlighting their potential impact on the sector.
| WATER ERASMUS EXCHANGES
Reports and presentations from our recent webinars are available to download
Water Erasmus is the flagship initiative of APE to promote the circulation of know-how and best practices in the water sector through staff exchange and ad-hoc workshops. Click here to learn more.
- Technical Workshop on social and environmental reporting: The workshop took place online on 17 September with contributions from our members De Watergroep (Flanders, Belgium), Aqua Flanders (Flanders, Belgium), and SMAT (Turin, Italy). The report of the exchange and the presentations are available in the members-only section of our website here.
- Joint Webinar on experiences on reusing wastewater for industrial applications co-organised with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), took place on 1 October. The focus was on innovative approaches to reusing wastewater in industrial processes, with real-world case studies from our members SMAT (Italy), Uisce Éireann (Ireland), Hydria (Belgium), and Kalundborg Forsyning (Denmark). The report of the webinar and the presentations are available here.
- Joint Webinar on Nature-based Solutions for stormwater management co-organised with the International Association of Water Service Companies in the Danube River Catchment Area (IAWD), took place online on 14 November featuring contributions from our member Syndicat des Eaux et de l’Assainissement – SDEA (France). The report of the webinar is available here, and the recording is available here.
| MEMBERS NEWS
Warsaw Waterworks is on the lookout for greener energy solutions
As part of the circular economy, Warsaw Waterworks (Warsaw, Poland) has signed an agreement with Veolia Energia Warszawa S.A. to pilot a heat recovery project using untreated wastewater. This innovative initiative aims to provide sustainable energy for Warsaw’s residents while promoting environmental responsibility. Read more here.
Águas de Gaia earns seal of excellence for water quality
Águas de Gaia (Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal) was awarded the "Seal of Exemplary Water Quality for Human Consumption" by ERSAR (Water and Waste Services Regulation Authority). This recognition underlines Águas de Gaia's ongoing commitment to excellence in water management and supply, ensuring the quality and safety of the water consumed.
Acquedotto Pugliese hosts the 6th meeting of the European Commission's Working Group on Water Reuse
Acquedotto Pugliese (Apulia, Italy) hosted the 6th meeting of the European Commission's Working Group on Water Reuse (WGWR) in Bari. The event, held on 14-15 October, brought together policymakers, scientists, and water utilities (including some of our members) to address challenges in freshwater management.
De Watergroep secures €350M EIB loan to modernise and sustainably upgrade water network
De Watergroep (Flanders, Belgium) secured a €350 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). This funding - spread over the next five years - will be instrumental in modernising and future-proofing De Watergroep’s water supply network. By upgrading the network, they aim to combat leakage, reduce energy consumption, and enhance the sustainability of their operations. Learn more here.
