EMWIS Flash N°88, March 2011

EMWIS Flash - March 2011 Euro-Mediterranean Information System on the know-how in the Water Sector EMWIS is a program of the Union for the Mediterranean. For further information: www.emwis.net Monthly Flash produced by the EMWIS Technical Unit- OIEAU, CEDEX, SOGESID- It is available in English, French & Arabic. (French & Arabic versions are available few days later) Mediterranean Water Information Mechanism / Geo-Catalogue / UfM-Water

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In this issue N°88 (www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash88)
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HEADLINE
1- 4th WEG meeting, 10-11 May 2011, Barcelona (Spain)
IN BRIEF

2- The preparation of the next 6th World Water Forum 2012 in Marseille (France)
3- Union for the Mediterranean: Young Water Ambassadors Forum, Paris (France)
4- Union for the Mediterranean: ARLEM on “Water Management Report”, Agadir (Morocco)

5- WssTP 4th Stakeholder Event: "Water Efficient Europe"
6- France: The Water Academy published a critical analysis of the right to water
7- Cyprus: Protesa wins two Cyprus desalination pipe contracts
8- Malta’s water resources ‘among scarcest in the world
9- Israel : Chinese Electricity Firm Turns To Israel For Desalination Technology
10- Palestine’s Green City Tackles Water and Wastewater Management
11- Jordan: Experts call for stricter enforcement of water-related laws
12- Mauritania, Kuwait, Jordan water said least secure
13- Lebanon to face severe water crisis if key steps aren’t taken
14- Algeria: The Suez contract renewed, Geslsen Wasser's not for sure
15- Algeria: The Algerian Hoggar capital supplied with water
16- Algeria, Morocco Ink Water Project
17- Morocco: Japan provides a grant of 58 million DH for a flood forecasting system in the High Atlas
18- Tunisia: First interview with the new Minister of Agriculture & Environment since his nomination
19- Tunisia: Water and Climate Change - Drop of water supplies by 2030
20- Libya: Hyflux's Libya projects could face delays
21- Egypt maintains legal and political position on Nile water crisis
22- Saudi Arabia signs off water projects worth $130m
23- Statement on the Right to Water and Sanitation: WCC central committee, Geneva
24- Analysis of greywater reuse considers pollutant management
25- Banana Peels Get a Second Life as Water Purifier
26- Water DataBase Project: Quantis Creates Database to Help Companies Manage Their Impact on Water Resources
27- Space Technology for Water Treatment
NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS  
CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
PROJECTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
CONTACT US / COMMENTS

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HEADLINE
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1- The Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat is now in place and has received a working budget for the future identification, development and promotion of UfM-branded projects. In that context, the Water Expert Group (WEG) will meet for a technical workshop to be held at the Palau de Pedralbes, headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean’s Secretariat, in Barcelona on 10-11 May 2011.
The meeting will address two main issues. First, it will be an important step towards the implementation of future projects in the field of water in the Mediterranean. An updated project proposal form has been released to allow countries to present initiatives in the pipeline. Moreover, recognizing that the strategy for water in the Mediterranean (SWM) has not yet been approved by the 43 member states/participants mainly for political rather than technical reasons, the meeting will also discuss future technical organization for the drafting of the Action Plan as decreed by the Ministerial conference on water held in the Dead Sea (Jordan) in December 2008, so that the strategy and its action plan (if ready) may be submitted together for endorsement whenever the Co-Presidency deems appropriate. Further information on EMWIS website or see the UfM website (Cooperation in the water sector).

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IN BRIEF (Full news)
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2- The preparation of the next 6th World Water Forum to be be held in 2012 in Marseille, France is moving on. The Europe region process, animated by IOWater, has pubished an agenda of preparatory events leading to WWF6. Two first meetings were successfully organized on 21 December 2010, in Brussels and on 18 January in Paris, which have strongly involved the heads of the main European networks of the water sector and some of European official institutions. The next one will be 2nd Istanbul International Water Forum, to be held 3-5 May 2011. For Euro-Mediterranean countries a meeting will be organised in Porto, 27-30 September 2011 by Europe INBO and MENBO at the invitation of the Basin Organization and district authorities of Portugal. In addition, 12 priority targets have been defined for the Europe Regional Process. Further information on OIEAU website. 

3- The Young Water Ambassadors Forum organized a workshop in Paris on 9 February 2011. The event was attended by several eminent personalities in the field of water. It was a good opportunity for several countries such as;  Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, France and Palestine to present several small size project proposals. Dr. Husseini, UfM Secretary General in charge of water and environment, confirmed that one of these projects called “Strat'eau” is currently being evaluated by the Water Division. The meeting allowed the UfM Secretariat to expand its network and call for increasing the dialogue between the young as part of project promotion. The meeting was organized by the Chairperson of the Embassy of Water, Mrs. Jeanette Pretot, who gathered many prominent water experts as well the youth members of her “Embassy” NGO. Deputy Secretary General Dr. Huseeini also conducted strategic bilateral meetings with different stakeholders in Paris. Further information on EMWIS website.

4- 40 nationalities were represented at this second annual meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and local Assembly (ARLEM) held on 29 Jan 2011 in Agadir, Morocco. Three important reports on “State of the territorial dimension of the UfM”, “Urban Development” and “Water Management” were debated and endorsed by ARLEM members and then handed to the UfM Secretariat. ARLEM reports constitute important steps to enhance projects and programmes cooperation in those key sectors for the development and the cohesion in the Mediterranean and, more specifically, they will help strengthening the concrete cooperation between ARLEM and the UfM Secretariat to whom those reports are explicitly dedicated. ARLEM is made up of 84 members, bringing together local and regional authorities from across the Union for Mediterranean countries, of which 30 members are from the EU Committee of the Regions (CoR) and 10 representatives from organisations engaged in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. It is co-chaired by the CoR President Ms. Mercedes Bresso and Mohamed Boudra, President of Morocco's Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region. The organization aims to give local and regional representatives greater access to Brussels and boost cooperation between Europe and its Mediterranean partners. Further information on EMWIS website.

5- Every year, WssTP organises a Stakeholder event that aims at gather key representatives, speakers and stakeholders to discuss and provide recommendations to the European Commission in order to boost a strong and competitive water sector. In 2011, the focus of this event will be on strengthening collaboration in research and innovation for a “Water Efficient Europe.” WssTP will discuss the ongoing challenges of a shaping a successful European Innovation Partnership for water to bring joint efforts and involvement from stakeholders towards the accomplishment of the Innovation Union. The event will be held in Brussels next 17-18 May 2011. Further information on  EMWIS website.

6- In France, at least two million people do not have the right to drinking water and sanitation because of shortcomings in the implementation of water laws. The study of the French Water Academy analyses for the first time the various components of the right to water and highlights, point by point, the weaknesses in a country where the law is in effect for about 96% population. Drinking water is good in cities but does not meet quality standards in 10% of villages, public sanitation is in progress but sanitation in rural areas is inadequate in almost 50% of cases and about 2.4% of rural households reject directly in nature their effluents without treatment. The right to water is officially recognized as a human right, and French Parliament has recently introduced several laws to apply this right.  Informing the public about drinking water is organized in a systematic way, but his participation in decisions on water services and sanitation remains limited. The study of the Water Academy shows that solutions exist to provide access to water for all but those solutions are not always implemented at local level. Further information on EMWIS website.

7- Contracts for glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) pipes and fittings for two desalination plants in Cyprus were announced on 21 March 2011 by Spanish manufacturer Protesa.  At the Limassol desalination plant, Protesa's will supply two different projects within the plant for MNEPC Water Co, a company owned by Mekorot of Israel and Netcom of Cyprus. The scope of both projects includes the supply of piping and fittings of diameters of up to DN 1400 with a nominal pressure of 10 bar and covers the above-ground section, the underground section and storage tanks. The reverse-osmosis (RO) plant, which has a capacity of 40,000 m³/d, will meet the drinking water needs of Limassol, which is the second largest city in Cyprus and a strategic point within the Mediterranean. At the same time Protesa was also awarded the supply and installation of the GRP piping for the new Vasilikos Desalination Plant, on which the company will work with IDE Technologies, also of Israel. Further information on EMWIS website.

8- The newly-formed Malta Water Association is warning that urgent action is needed to protect Malta’s water resources which “are among the scarcest in the world and under severe stress.” Reversing this unsustainable trend will require “difficult decisions” but these measures will only work if the population is informed and encouraged to play its part, the association says. In its first statement the MWA notes that with annual rainfall of 559mm and a high population density Malta can only provide 58 cubic metres of water per person. The European Union considers any country with less than 2,000m3 per capita as having “very low” water resources. Due to the shortage of natural water resources Malta is increasingly relying on the costly and energy consuming desalination process which accounts for 56% of Malta’s water supply according to statistics issued by the National Office of Statistics yesterday. Reverse Osmosis Plants consume nearly 4% of Malta’s electricity supply. Further information on EMWIS website.

9- Israel has been a world leader in desalination technology through companies like Tahal and IDE Technologies. IDE has already constructed more than 400 desalination plants in 40 countries, including at least 3 in Israel – the world’s largest reverse osmosis plants. Now IDE is expanding its foreign operations even more by signing a deal with China’s large Tianjin SDIC electricity company to build four additional Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) desalination units, each with a production capacity of 25,000 cubic meters of distilled water per day. The idea is to power the plants using wasted heat from other sources. The four new Chinese plants which will convert processed steam into fresh water, will together with previously constructed desalination plants, result in a total daily capacity of 200,000 cubic meters per day making it China’s largest desalination plant complex. The desalinated water will be used both by the power plant to generate electricity as well as for drinking by residents of Tianjin, a city of more than 12 million people. Further information on EMWIS website.

10- The Arab region is believed to be one of the driest in the world- 70% of the land is dry and rainfall is sparse and the effects of climate change will only exacerbate the situation.  The planners of Palestine’s first green city called Rawabi (or ‘Hills’ in Arabic) have recently given the go-ahead for a feasibility study for a new regional wastewater facility which strengthens their commitment preserving water. Despite initial reservations about the projects lack of solid waste and wastewater management, the recent announcement has gone someway toward alleviating environmentalists’ concerns. The feasibility study will help plan for a wastewater treatment plant for the city and will also be “instrumental in identifying permanent solutions for the treatment of wastewater in a regional context.” Rawabi has also launched a GROW for a Greener Palestine initiative which is working to plant trees and encourage young Palestinians’ to embrace nature by working with environmental experts. The project is also teaching the youth about the value of trees due to their ability to stop soil erosion, conserve Palestine’s scarce water resources and encourage rainfall. Together the two projects can play an important role in establishing Rawabi as an example of a green and sustainable city to be emulated in the whole of Palestine. Further information on EMWIS website.

11- Water sector experts and decision makers called last 24 March for stricter enforcement of water-related laws and regulations for better protection of Jordan’s scant water resources. They said laws and regulations protecting the country’s water resources exist, but criticised their weak enforcement, which allows for violations and thus depletion of the precious resource. During a workshop organised by the USAID-funded Public Action in Water, Energy and Environment Project and the National Campaign for Public Awareness of the Drivers of Change, participants analysed consumption patterns in agriculture, households and large establishments, such as hotels and hospitals. After reviewing water laws and regulations, participants concluded that there is a need to draft legislation regulating water consumption in apartment buildings. Participants also criticised laws that allow farmers to extract 1,500 cubic metres of water from underground wells free of charge and for activating green building codes for efficient use of water and energy. Further information on EMWIS website.

12- Mauritania, Kuwait and Jordan have the least secure water supplies, according to a ranking that says shortages in the Middle East and North Africa might cause political tensions and even higher oil prices. The list, by British risk analysis group Maplecroft, said businesses needed to take more account of water security in investment decisions due to rising demand from a growing population and other impacts such as climate change. It said Mauritania in West Africa had the least secure supplies of about 160 nations reviewed, followed by Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Niger, Iraq, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Extreme water security risks across the Middle East and North Africa may lead to further increases in global oil prices and heightened political tensions in the future according to Maplecroft. Many OPEC oil producers, including Saudi Arabia in 13th place, faced stresses on supplies. Water from aquifers is often injected into oil reservoirs, for instance, to raise pressure and enhance oil recovery. As aquifers are depleted, water shortages could push up oil prices. Water from desalination plants or water piped from the sea would be more expensive. Mauritania was top since it has only one year-round river, the Senegal, and "aside from a small number of oases and wadis, the country is almost entirely dry," the report said. Population growth was forecast at 3 percent a year, boosting demand. Further information on EMWIS website.

13- Lebanon is facing an unprecedented struggle to effectively manage its dwindling water resources as an unplanned and unchecked surge in regional urban migration threatens Middle Eastern drinking and sewage infrastructure, an international conference concluded last 22 March. The U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) summit on the occasion of World Water Day featured testimonies from lawmakers and academics concerned over the state of water supply in a part of the world where urban populations will increase by 50 percent by the year 2040. Lebanon, in particular, was set to suffer from severe water shortages if immediate measures were not undertaken, speakers said. With Lebanon’s annual water consumption, according to the Energy and Water Ministry, to rise from the current 1.37 billion meters cubed to 1.8 billion meters cubed by 2035. According to ESCWA’s latest research, 29 million Arabs lack access to reliable and safe drinking water, with 34 million living without adequate sanitation facilities, due to paucity of rainfall and functioning storage facilities. Water and Energy Minister Jibran Bassil said his ministry had already come up with a long-term plan to address a looming water crisis. As well as aiming to install up to 1 million water meters across the country by 2020, Bassil said the ministry was working on safeguarding and procuring better access to public and private subterranean wells. Further information on EMWIS website.

14- The French Suez will receive a new contract for the outsourced management of water in Algiers. It was in the air for several months. The Algerian Minister of Water Resources, Abdelmalek Sellal has confirmed it on the World Water Day (last 22 March). He took the opportunity to give an overview of delegated management contracts for water in other cities. The Minister of Water Resources expressed its appreciation of the French group Suez, responsible for water management in the greater Algiers. The Minister noted the improvement in the level of water in the greater Algiers thanks to a partnership signed with the French group Suez Environnement with which it intends to consolidate the gains made ​​since 2005 by renewing a new contract. The minister said that Algeria currently has plans in the medium and long terms to ensure the security of water supply. He recalled that Algeria currently has 65 dams in operation of which 21 were conducted during the last ten years and 19 planned for the next five years in addition to the 13 desalination plants. Further information on EMWIS website.

15- The Algerian Minister of Water Resources, Abdelmalek Sellal, inaugurated on March 15, 2011 the first part of the network of water transfer between Ain Salah & Tamanrasset over a length of 750 km. The routing network has six pumping stations and a demineralization station able to reduce the salinity of 100 000 m3 of water per day. At a cost of 197 billion Algerian dinars, or € 1.951 bn, this achievement can now feed the Hoggar city's drinking water at 50 000m3/day. It is expected to double this capacity around 2030. The needs of 337 400 inhabitants of Tamanrasset and the region still do not reach 25 000 m3/day. The aquifer of Ain Salah contains 45 000 billion m3 of water. It will be able to cover the regional water needs for several centuries. This infrastructure has been carried out by two business groups. The first has two Chinese companies (GSC-SIPSC) while the second consists of the Algerian Cosider, the Lebanese Zakhem and theTurkish Erciyas . This achievement will enable the development of villages on the route of the transfer infrastructure and the creation of a dozen new small settlements of nearly 10 000 inhabitants each. Further information on EMWIS website.

16- Algeria and Morocco concluded last 18 March in Rabat a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) in water resources, to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The agreement, signed by Abdelmalek Sellal, the minister of Water Resources and Amina Benkhadra, the Moroccan minister of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment provides for boosting cooperation between Algeria and Morocco mainly in irrigation, hydraulics, dam management, water transfer and seawater desalination. Under the MOC, and as a first step in the relaunch of such cooperation, a meeting is to be held by the bilateral committee of the respective general managers of the two ministries, on April 18 in Algiers. The two sides will tackle issues relating to water management and purification and seawater desalination. Further information on EMWIS website.

17- Japan has granted last 23 March in Rabat (Morocco), a donation of 58 million dirhams for the project of flood forecasting and warning system in the watersheds of Ourika and Rhea in the High Atlas region. The project comes within the framework of support for the National Plan for Protection against floods. Its main objective is to put in place in watersheds and Rhereya Ourika, a region of high recurrence of floods, automated forecasting and high accuracy flood warning. The project reviews the development of a hydrological observation subsystem, including the installation of 11 new hydrological stations, rehabilitation of 7 other stations and the establishment of monitoring equipment and monitored by the telemetry. It is also expected the creation of a sub-analysis system and transmission and another warning system through the installation of 13 alarm stations along the valley and a monitoring station of 'flood warnings. Further information on EMWIS website.

18- For over an hour and a half Mr. Mokhtar Jalali new Tunisian Minister of Agriculture and Environment gave a first interview since taking office at the ministry to talk about a number of pressing issues in agriculture that have been raised recently. The Minister also spoke on the proposed solutions and programs planned to develop this vital and strategic sector. The minister also gave an insight about the structuring of the department and the resources available to initiate cooperation with the agricultural organization. Further information on EMWIS website. (in French)

19- More than 150 participants from the agricultural sector, the Tunisian National Society of Water Distribution (Sonede), the meteorology, etc. hosted a symposium on "Water and Climate Change", organized by the Association for Research and Study in Sousse. It appears from the presentations given that by 2030, there will be an alarming decline in water resources (dams, aquifers ...) due the influence of climate change and of natural phenomena such as severe drought. Thus the recommendations were directed towards the need to create reserve tanks for the recovery of rainwater in houses, factories ... to preserve this source of life. This meeting took place at the cultural center of Sousse on 22 of March to mark the celebration of World Water Day. Further information on EMWIS website.

20- Singapore's water treatment firm Hyflux said last week of February that its projects in Libya could be delayed due to the political uncertainty in the country. Hyflux recently won a US$100 million engineering, procurement and construction contract for a seawater desalination plant in Tobruk, and was also in negotiations on two projects in Benghazi and Tripoli. However, the firm said that its two seawater desalination projects in Algeria have not been affected by the demonstrations there and are progressing as scheduled. Hyflux said that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which contributes 60 per cent to the group revenue, remains a key market. Further information on EMWIS website.

21- Earlier in 2010, several riparian states signed an agreement between them calling for a redistribution of Nile waters, threatening Egypt's disproportionate share based on prior treaties. Signatory states argued the need for a greater share of Nile waters to drive domestic development. The Egyptian Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Hussein El-Atfi had said at the time that there must be consensus among all Nile states to amend any standing arrangement. Neither Egypt nor Sudan signed the new agreement. El-Atfi added that the agreement did not abrogate the commitments of signatory states towards Egypt, and that he was surprised by the signing. Al-Atfi said he needed the help of all related ministries and civic groups. Despite previous calls by the Egyptian Council on Foreign Affairs for the creation of an Egyptian national agency responsible for the issue, to include technical water specialists at the ministries of agriculture and irrigation, representatives from the National Security Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no action was taken. Further information on EMWIS website.

22- Saudi Arabia announced contracts had been signed for water and sanitation projects worth SR487m ($130m). The deals were inked by Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Hossein, the Minister of Water and Electricity, Saudi Press Agency reported. The projects will be implemented in the provinces of Makkah, Madinah, Baha, Northern Borders, the Eastern Province, Qassim, Najran, and Tabuk, SPA added. The projects cover sanitation systems, water pipelines and networks, dam building, well digging and reservoirs. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest desalinated-water producer, needs to invest SR124.9bn in desalination and water recycling plants to meet demand, Riyadh-based NCB Capital said in a report. Further information on EMWIS website.

23- The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee, met in Geneva, Switzerland, 16-22 February 2011, and rejoiced in the recognition of the human right to water and sanitation; commended the international community for the progress made towards the Millennium Development Goals related to water and sanitation; stressed that more needs to be done to ensure that policies and other measures reach the poor and most vulnerable, as access to water and sanitation is still marked by discrimination, injustice and inequality. The WCC called for the establishment of a mandate for a Special Rapporteur on the right to water and sanitation at the UN Human Rights Council and finally reaffirmed the commitment of WCC member churches and ecumenical organizations to undertake advocacy efforts for the implementation of the right to water at all levels and to foster international co-operation through participation in the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN), as expressed in the Statement on ‘Water for Life’ of the WCC Assembly in 2006. Further information on EMWIS website.

24- Research into reuse of domestic 'greywater' (non-toilet wastewater) has found that typical treatment systems can significantly reduce overall water consumption. However, non-biodegradable micropollutants will continue to reach municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), unless a new disposal route is found for the greywater treatment sludge. There is no legislation in the EU specifically addressing water reuse. Urban wastewater treatment is regulated in the EU by the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which sets obligations for treatment and defines the levels of quality for effluents released by treatment plants. There is increasing worldwide interest in water recycling technologies as well as treatment of greywater (i.e. waste water with low organic pollutant and pathogen content). However, 'xenobiotic micropollutants', which include heavy metals and organic compounds, can be found in greywater and can increase pressure for WWTPs. If these enter the environment, they can potentially cause human health problems and ecosystem damage. New research conducted under the EU SCOREPP project suggests that most greywater treatment systems do not efficiently intercept these pollutants. Further information on EMWIS website.

25- To the surprisingly inventive uses for banana peels -- which include polishing silverware, leather shoes, and the leaves of house plants -- scientists have added purification of drinking water contaminated with potentially toxic metals. Their report, which concludes that minced banana peel performs better than an array of other purification materials, appears in ACS's journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. The researchers found that minced banana peel could quickly remove lead and copper from river water as well as, or better than, many other materials. A purification apparatus made of banana peels can be used up to 11 times without losing its metal-binding properties, they note. The team adds that banana peels are very attractive as water purifiers because of their low cost and because they don't have to be chemically modified in order to work. Further information on EMWIS website.

26- Quantis, an international firm specialized in sustainability, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), carbon footprinting and water footprinting, is joining forces with a consortium of businesses to develop an innovative water-footprint database across various sectors of manufacturing. To bring this project to fruition, Lausanne-based Quantis is working in partnership with Ecoinvent, the leading supplier of LCA data. In addition, seven partner companies support this project. These companies are food and beverage corporations Danone (France) and Kraft Foods (USA), Molson Coors Brewing Company (UK) Ltd, cosmetics manufacturer Natura (Brazil), consumer products group Unilever PLC (UK), environmental services group Veolia Environnement (France) and office furniture manufacturer and space planner Steelcase (USA). The database offered by Quantis aims to provide a complete life-cycle view of a company's or product's water footprint so that impacts associated with water can be reduced. Life cycles span the entire supply chain, encompassing logistics and utilisation. The Water DataBase Project is covering several thousands of processes and is adaptable to different regions so that local conditions can be taken into account. Further information on EMWIS website.

27- The American National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recognised the success of ASA Analytics for commercialising technology originally developed for the space program. The automated spectrometry technology, developed in 1991, evolved into a line of automatic process analysers with water quality and treatment applications. ASA Analytics is featured in the 2010 edition of Spinoff, an annual publication featuring companies that have successfully commercialised technology originally developed for the space agency. NASA funded the development of automated spectrometry technology in 1991 through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants to detect nutrients and contaminants in water. Vegetation grown hydroponically, with only nutrient laden water in contact with the root systems, would serve as an important food source for astronauts during multi-year space missions. Today, municipal and industrial treatment plants use ASA Analytics' ChemScan Automatic Online Analysers to monitor and control processes that perform tasks such as disinfection of drinking water and management of the biochemistry that breaks down sewage before returning it to the environment. Further information on EMWIS website.

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NOMINATIONS and VACANCIES
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28- Egypt: Mr. Hussein El-Atfy is the Egyptian Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources in the Egyptian government of transition. Mr. El-Atfy was Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation during several years. Further information on EMWIS website.

29- France: Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, French Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transportation and Housing, has appointed Martin Guespereau Director General of the Water Agency: Rhône-Méditerranée & Corse. Further information on EMWIS website.

30- Dr. Ania Grobicki has been re-appointed as Executive Secretary by the GWP Steering Committee, in line with our decision of November 2010. Following a first term of 2 years, she will serve a second term of 3 years (March 11, 2011 to March 10, 2014). Ania will continue her efforts in the coming years towards implementing the GWP 2009-2013 Strategy. Further information on EMWIS website.

31- International Water Law Scholarship Programme: As capacity-building support to its Partner organisations, the IHP-HELP Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, under the auspices of UNESCO, at the University of Dundee, together with the Global Water Partnership, will offer scholarships for 30 participants to undertake a module in International Water Law, in Dundee, August 1-19, 2011. Applications will be accepted from 4 March to 30 April 2011. The module is aimed at persons working in water resources who wish to acquire specialist knowledge of international water law, especially as it relates to transboundary water challenges in the GWP regions.  Further information on EMWIS website.

32- Programme Officer (P4) - UNEP (Duty Station: ATHENS, Posting Period: 4 March 2011– 3 May 2011): Among other responsibilities the successful candidate should ensure timely and active support to MAP Institutional Meetings: Plan, coordinate and supervise the work of MAP Secretariat relevant to organizing  meetings of the relevant stakeholders; Ensure that recommendations and decisions of the Contracting Parties and of the Bureau meetings are managed efficiently; Prepare relevant documentation and budgets, write policy statements and prepare progress and evaluation reports; Support regional policy and legal developments of MAP relevance; Liaise with and maintain cooperation with the respective Intergovernmental Organisations (IGO) bodies and programmes. Further information on EMWIS website.

33- SIWI Announced the 2011 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate on World Water Day: Stephen R. Carpenter, Professor of Zoology and Limnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, will receive the 2011 Stockholm Water Prize. Professor Carpenter’s groundbreaking research has shown how lake ecosystems are affected by the surrounding landscape and by human activities. His findings have formed the basis for concrete solutions on how to manage lakes. Further information on EMWIS website.

34- UNESCO-IHE Vacancy (Professor in Hydraulic Engineering – Land and Water Development): The UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education offers post-graduate courses and PhD research programmes in Delft, The Netherlands, and carries out research and capacity building projects all over the world. The mission of UNESCO-IHE is to contribute to the education and training of professionals and to build the capacity of sector organisations, knowledge centres and other institutions active in the fields of water, the environment and infrastructure in developing countries and countries in transition. The Department of Water Engineering wishes to appoint a: Professor in Hydraulic Engineering – Land and Water Development. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

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PUBLICATIONS
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35- "REVOLVE: Water around the Mediterranean": REVOLVE is an international platform for POLITICS, ENERGY and ART. The online magazine is complemented by a twice yearly print edition, which features a selection of the best political essays, features and artist profiles. In 2011/12, REVOLVE’s focus on WATER AROUND THE MEDITERRANEAN examines challenges facing the water sector and explores innovative solutions to water scarcity, drought and pollution. Through a series of essays, features and interviews with decision-makers and analysts, this section sheds light on key issues, including transboundary water management in strategic basins; the impact of climate change; alternative sources such as desalination and treated wastewater; and the future of agriculture in the Mediterranean. Main articles published up to now are: Interview with Mazzitti & Mino from EMWIS, Agricultural Water Demand by Florence Pintus (OIEAU) and Water Scarcity by Francesca de Châtel (REVOLVE). Further information on EMWIS website.

36- International training - IWRM catalog: The International Office for Water (OIEAU) adopts an integrated approach for water resources management, to better respond to issues, which is an important step towards sustainable development. The implementation of such Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is inseparable from a modern governance, legal framework and institutional framework that can address the different challenges. OIEAU presents its international trainings program on IWRM through this catalog. Further information on EMWIS website.

37- The third issue of the MEDSTAT III Newsletter, is available in English, French and Arabic. This new issue is focused on the results of the sector Task Force round and of the first technical activities of the programme. Further information on EMWIS website.

38- The European Commission published last 21 March the third report on the progress in addressing water scarcity and droughts in Europe. In the run up to a major water policy review in 2012, the report, presents the water management measures introduced by Member States to tackle water scarcity and droughts and highlights the areas which will need to be tackled better in the future. Further information on EMWIS website.

39- Since 2007, GWP and the EU Water Initiative Finance Working Group (EUWI-FWG) have worked together to organise workshops across the world to raise awareness and build capacity on financing for water and sanitation. EUWI-FWG has produced a new publication, Financing for Water and Sanitation – A Primer for Practitioners and Students in Developing Countries, published by GWP as a knowledge partner. Further information on EMWIS website.

40- World Water Day Bulletin - Vol. 13 No. 5 - World Water Day 2011 - Final Summary: World Water Day 2011 (WWD 2011) convened in Cape Town, South Africa, on 22 March 2011. Under the theme of “Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge,” participants gathered to hear addresses from dignitaries, as well as take part in panel discussions on water and sanitation infrastructure in Africa, and the role of local government in bridging the water and sanitation gap. Further information on EMWIS website.

41- Freshwater supply in demand and under threat: Essential to sustaining life and supporting a healthy environment, water is also imperative for economic growth.  In observance of World Water Day, IFPRI and Veolia released a joint study revealing that inefficient water management—in lieu of available sustainable practices—will significantly undermine society’s ability to grow, and will impact the quality of life of millions of people and our planet’s environmental water resources. Further information on EMWIS website.

42- The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation has now published the report of its Task Force meeting on Monitoring Drinking-water Quality. This meeting took place in France on 16, 17 and 18 November 2010. It reviewed options to strengthen the water quality component in the current JMP context as well as the outlook for enhanced global drinking-water quality monitoring post-2015.  Further information on EMWIS website.

43- Prof. Jacques Ganoulis, UNESCO Water Chair/International Network of Water-Environment Centres for the Balkans on ‘Sustainable Management on Water and Conflict Resolution’ at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece recently released the book titled Risk Analysis of Water Pollution. This new edition of a classic text has now been extensively updated to include the latest developments in risk analysis and water quality assessment and management. It takes into account the role of ecological water quality in integrated regional and transboundary water resources management, according to the latest UNESCO programmes and the new EU-Water Framework Directive. Further information on  EMWIS website.

44- The full report: Uncertainty Quantification and Reduction in Urban Water Systems (UWS) Modelling: Evaluation Report is now available online. Further information on EMWIS website.

45- The re-designed, re-vamped TheWaterChannel was re-launched on World Water Day 2011. The new design and structure has been developed based on the feedback we'd been getting from our viewers, friends and partners. The idea has been to improve navigation and make the site more user-friendly. Further information on EMWIS website.

46- Newsletter No. 78 of the Remote Sensing NetWork (AUF) - February 2011: Newsletter No. 78 is available online, with contents on: XII Days of the Scientific Remote Sensing Network (AUF), Tunisia 2010, Evolution of Remote Sensing Network, Space missions for Earth observation, Conference announcements, Training, Initiatives. Further information on EMWIS website. (only in French)

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CALL FOR TENDERS and PROPOSALS
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47- Call for demonstration projects Sustainable Water Integrated Management in the Mediterranean: Open Call for Proposals (EuropeAid/131046/C/ACT/Multi) in the framework for the European Neighbourhood and Partnership (ENP) financial co-operation with Mediterranean countries. The demonstration projects will address sustainable integrated water management and de-pollution of the Mediterranean, within the areas of intervention set in the draft Strategy for Water in the Mediterranean and the Horizon 2020 Initiative, with a total budget of EUR 15.000.000. Deadline for submission of proposals: 14 June 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

48- "ENPI-MED CBC: call for strategic projects announced": The Joint Management Authority announced that the call for proposal on strategic projects for Cross-Boarder Cooperation in the Mediterranean will be launched in April 2011. These projects will involve a minimum of four partners representing four different countries, of which at least one EU Mediterranean Country and one Mediterranean Partner Country. Their budget range from a minimum of € 2 million up to a maximum of € 5 million. Budget announced for this call about € 37 million. Water management will be one of the priority topics with 2 sub-themes: i) Quantity and quality of supply, with a focus on alternative water supplies and wastewater re-use; ii) Efficient use of water resources, with a focus on agricultural use. The following partner countries have signed a Financing Agreement with the European Commission : - Egypt - Israel - Jordan - Lebanon - Palestinian Authority - Syria - Tunisia. These countries are now fully eligible to receive Programme funds. All the Financing Agreements have been countersigned by the Joint Managing Authority. Further information on EMWIS website.

49- ENPI CBC-MED call for proposals on standard projects: Call for proposals on standard projects (one-step open procedure) focusing on the four Programme Priorities.  Indicative launch date: September 2011. Indicative amount allocated: € 33 million. Further information on EMWIS website.

50- The 2011 LIFE+ Call for Proposals was published by the European Commission on 26 February 2010. The fifth LIFE+ call for proposals was published on 26 February 2011, with up to €267 million available for co-financing of projects under three headings: nature and biodiversity; environment policy and governance; and information and communication. Project proposals should be sent to the relevant national authority no later than 18 July, 2011. National authorities will then send them to the European Commission by 9 September, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

51- ICIMOD call for proposals for the Small Grants Programme under the Abu Dhabi Dialogue Knowledge Forum: The International Centre for Integrated Mountan Development (ICIMOD) has announced a call for proposals to provide funding under the Abu Dhabi Dialogue Knowledge Forum Small Grants Programme (ADDKF-SGP). The priority research topics of interest are: 1. Vulnerability, adaptation and impacts of climate change; 2. Integrated ecosystem and river basin management, including benefit sharing; 3. Upstream-downstream impacts of water storage projects, covering both natural and artificial water storage systems; 4. Management of water for enhancing food security. Proposals should be received on or before 7 April 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

52- "African Union Research Grants: 2011- Open Call for Proposals": The African Union Commission is seeking proposals for research. The programme is financed through the Financing Agreement between the European Commission and the ACP Group of States under the ACP Research for Sustainable Development Program of the 10^th EDF Intra-ACP Envelop. The First Call for Research Projects and Proposals will be limited to the following science and technology strategic priority actions: Post-harvest and Agriculture; Renewable and Sustainable Energy, and Water and Sanitation. The deadline for submission of proposals is April 30, 2011 at 1700 hours (+3 GMT) Addis Ababa time. Further information on EMWIS website.

53- Egypt: Improving the capacity of the Holding Company for Water and Waste Water (HCWW) - Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development. Intended timing of publication of the procurement notice: May 17th, 2010. No applications or requests for information should be sent at this stage. Further information on EMWIS website.

54- Tunisia: Technical Assistance for the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE) and the Agency for Coastal Protection Management (APAL) under the framework of the Environment Programme. This project is an integral part of the broader environment energy programme (EEP) financed by the European Commission. It aims to help achieve part of the objectives of the 'Environment' section of the EEP, particularly: reduction of the environmental impact of industrial, agricultural and tourist companies, strengthening of the national agency for environmental protection (ANPE) and the depollution fund (FODEP) unit for management of agricultural sector dossiers, institutional strengthening of the MAE and the agency for coastal protectionand development (APAL), interinstitutional coordination of the different agencies contributing to environmentalmanagement, awareness raising for financial players, civil society organisations and elected persons and, moregenerally, of the capacities of environmentalists for the conservation, sustainable exploitation and optimisation ofnatural resources. Maximum budget: 1 840 000 EUR. Provisional date of invitation to tender: 1st April 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

55- Morocco Invites Bids for Water Project in Rabat-Casablanca Area: The Moroccan government has invited bids to build a water treatment plant and associated pumping stations between Rabat and the tourist town of Casablanca on the country’s coastal belt. Proposal Due Date: April 19, 2010. Further information on EMWIS website.

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CALL FOR PAPERS
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56- CIWEM, with the support of EWA and ASTEE, is organising an International Event in Lille looking at Water Management in Europe. The event will take place on 12^th and 13^th October 2011. The call for presentations deadline is Friday 8th April 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

57- Abstracts for the 2011 Water and Health Conference, to be held October 3-7 in North Carolina (US), can be submitted electronically via the conference website. The submission deadline is May 1. This year’s Water and Health Conference will feature themes ranging from Freshwater Availability and Climate Change Adaptation to Human Right and Ethics. Other themes for 2011 include Perspectives on WaSH for Small Communities and Peri-urban Areas, and Southeastern US Water Challenges. Further information on EMWIS website.

58- Call for abstracts : "The Management of the Guarani Aquifer System: An Example of Cooperation" - 21-23 September 2011, São Paulo. Deadline for Abstracts: 30 April 2011. The conference “The Management of the Guarani Aquifer System: An Example of Cooperation” provides this opportunity and the organisers invite researchers, consultants and water management experts to submit an abstract for one of the three sessions of the conference: (1)  An assessment of the scientific knowledge on the GAS; (2) Current use and protection of the Guarani Aquifer System; (3) The GAS and regional cooperation. Further information on EMWIS website.

59- Call for papers for TIAC’12 - IV International Conference on Technology Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers / III International Symposium on Coastal Aquifers and Desalination Plants: Deadline for receipt of summary: October 31, 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

60- 1st announcement of the seminar: "Pumped Storage Power: Challenges and Opportunities ": The purpose of this symposium is to gather professionals (producers, manufacturers, government regulators, electrical systems, consulting firms) on the techno-economic issues. Abstracts are due by 30 April 2011. Further information on EMWIS website.

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TRAINING
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61- UNITAR - Online Courses on Governance in Urban Sanitation: The course, which will take place from 25 April to 1 July 2011 in Geneva (Switzerland), aims to strengthen the capacity of local decision makers and professionals to make choices and smart investments in the field of urban sanitation. The course provides analytical tools for understanding the financial and institutional framework of the sector while taking into account the needs of the most vulnerable urban communities . The deadline for entries is April 20, 2011, or when the course is complete. Further information on EMWIS website.

62- New Master's degree in Water Security, for October 2011 offered by the University of East Anglia, UK. Further information on EMWIS website.

63- [2011/04/04 - 2011/04/07] 4-Day Advanced Course on Pre-treatment, Membrane Fouling and Scaling, Genoa, Italy. Further information on EMWIS website.

64- [2011/05/09 - 2011/05/11] EDS Desalination With Solar Energy course, Almeria, Spain. Further information on EMWIS website.

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EVENTS (Full Agenda)
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PROJECTS (Projects database)
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