| HIGHLIGHT
APE "Resilience in Action": High attendance at our public seminar organised at the European Parliament
On 14 February, APE organised a public seminar entitled "Resilience in Action: Towards a coordinated effort for a sustainable water resources management" at the European Parliament to discuss how to strengthen effective collaboration to ensure sustainable water resources management. The event report and a photo gallery from the seminar are available on our website.
| APE NEWS
APE urges the European Commission to reinstate water resilience as a top priority on its agenda
The European Commission unexpectedly decided to pause the publication of a communication on water resilience, which was meant to shape the EU vision for water by 2050. APE calls on the European Commission to reinstate water resilience as a top priority on its agenda and to ramp up efforts in better managing the risks posed by the adverse effects of climate change on Europe’s water resources. You can find our reaction on our website and two joint letters sent to the President of the European Commission we co-signed (here and here).
APE presents members' approaches to strengthen water resilience at European Commission’s Ad-hoc Task Group on Water Scarcity and Droughts
On 21 March, APE was invited to present members' approaches to strengthen water resilience within the framework of the 6th Meeting of the European Commission’s Ad-hoc Task Group on Water Scarcity and Droughts. Several good practices from members that can mitigate the risk of water scarcity by enhancing efficiency and reducing water usage were presented, including leakage reduction, awareness-raising, stewardship, and water reuse. Many more practices are available in our publication on water operators' strategies to tackle water scarcity and drought, which you can find here.
APE President participates in the European Water Movement’s Annual Meeting in Lyon (France)
APE President, Bernard Van Nuffel, participated in the annual meeting of the European Water Movement, a Europe-wide coordination of NGOs and social movements striving to strengthen recognition of water as a universal fundamental right, which took place in Lyon on 4 and 5 April. Bernard Van Nuffel contributed to the panel discussion on “Public Management and Democracy” together with representatives of civil society, trade-unions, and elected officials.
APE signs a Memorandum of Understanding with IAWD to foster knowledge sharing for European water utilities
Aqua Publica Europea and the International Association of Water Service Companies in the Danube River Catchment Area (IAWD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to seize potential synergies between the two organisations with the goal of strengthening services for their members. Read more about the strategic partnership here.
APE signs a Memorandum of Understanding with WaterLinks to enhance the capacities of water and wastewater utilities in Europe and Asia
To enhance the capacities of water and wastewater utilities in Europe and Asia, Aqua Publica Europea has signed a memorandum of understanding with WaterLinks, a regional non-profit organisation based in Manila, the Philippines, that promotes and facilitates capacity building programmes to improve the operational efficiencies of water and sanitation service providers throughout Asia.
Read more here.
On 14 February, APE organised a public seminar entitled "Resilience in Action: Towards a coordinated effort for a sustainable water resources management" at the European Parliament to discuss how to strengthen effective collaboration to ensure sustainable water resources management. The event report and a photo gallery from the seminar are available on our website.
| WATER ERASMUS EXCHANGES
APE holds a new meeting of its Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and Sludge Directive Working Group
On 28 February, APE held a new online meeting of its ad-hoc Water Erasmus Working Group on the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and Sludge Directive, chaired by Armando Quazzo (SMAT). The meeting provided an opportunity to give an overview of the provisional agreement found by the European Parliament and the Council on the revision of the UWWTD and to discuss the Joint Research Centre's feasibility study in support of future developments of the Sewage Sludge Directive. You can find materials presented at this meeting on the members-only section of our website.
| MEMBERS NEWS
Aqua Publica Europea members celebrate World Water Day 2024
Many of APE members carried out public initiatives and activities to engage citizens in the celebration of World Water Day on 22 March. Click here to read about some of our member’s initiatives.
SIG inaugurates its new wastewater designed to address micro-pollutants
On March 22, SIG (Public water operator of Geneva, Switzerland) inaugurated its revamped wastewater treatment plant in Villette - one of the 4 major wastewater treatment plants in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. Modernised and expanded, the Villette plant is also the first in the canton of Geneva to have a micropollutant treatment system. Click here to find out more.
At our latest UWWTD Working Group meeting, SIG shared their experience with other members on the development of quaternary treatment (a new requirement for large agglomerations under the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD). SIG's experience and knowledge in this area are very valuable for EU members who are nearing the adoption of similar measures.
HYDRIA presents its water reuse project with AUDI car maker
11 March marked an important moment in the promotion of sustainable and circular water management in Brussels. Hydria (responsible for the collection and treatment of wastewater in Brussels) and AUDI Brussels jointly announced the launch of a project, which will enable AUDI to use reclaimed water from the recently revamped treatment plant of Brussels in their manufacturing process. Thanks to this industrial cooperation and innovative project, AUDI will be able to save 100,000 m³ of drinking water annually, contributing to the sustainability of the automotive industry. Click here to find out more.
ACQUEDOTTO PUGLIESE promotes tap water consumption in the hospitality sector
Acquedotto Pugliese (AQP), the public water operator of Puglia (Italy) introduced the "Acqua in Brocca" initiative to promote sustainable practices in hospitality across Puglia. Launched at the Fiera del Levante (an international fair) in Bari, this project encourages establishments to offer tap water to customers, reducing plastic and glass waste associated with bottled water. Click here to find out more.
