World`s water leaders share solutions to unlock policy, planning and project delivery challenges

Joint Black & Veatch and SIWW event focuses on innovation beyond technology

Singapore -- The water industry must create and capitalize on 'economies of scope,' said a group of more than 80 world water leaders. This key finding offered insight into the need to address increasing scarcity and cost of the world's most precious resources.

Participants defined scope as the need to look holistically at the touch points of water with energy, food, and industry. The scope must include local market and community needs, as well as the financial impacts, when assessing resource recovery opportunities. Essentially, a full business case is required as part of developing successful and synergistic solutions.

Many other solutions were shared at a workshop co-organized by Black & Veatch and Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) yesterday. The interactive forum was a key component of the Water Leaders Summit 2012, a high-level meeting that gathers the who's who of the global water industry together to engage in meaningful discourse on water issues and solutions. An innovative, fast-paced forum, the event provided an interactive dialogue for water leaders to share their views and best practices on Water Policy, Resource Portfolio Planning and Project Delivery.

Common themes centered on the importance of public education and communication. The value of active collaboration and alignment of all interests were also key topics. Participants also called for greater integration within the water sector and between other sectors with closely related environmental and infrastructure needs.

'The water industry needs to reframe its thinking and embrace innovation at all levels,' said Cindy Wallis-Lage, President, Black & Veatch's global water business. 'To solve our cities' future water challenges, we need to be smarter about how we create policies, plan and deliver infrastructure.'

Led by nine distinguished chairpersons, the sessions uncovered new ideas that will help prepare cities for the unpredictability of a world of constant change and resource scarcity.
Full findings will be published in a white paper later this summer.

About Singapore International Water Week

The Singapore International Water Week is the global platform for water solutions. It brings policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world. Comprising the Water Leaders Summit, Water Convention, Water Expo and Business Forums, it culminates in the presentation of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, a prestigious international award to recognise outstanding contributions in solving global water issues. The 5th Singapore International Water Week, themed 'Water Solutions for Liveable and Sustainable Cities', will be held from 1 to 5 July 2012, in conjunction with the 3rd World Cities Summit and the inaugural CleanEnviro Summit Singapore. For more information, plase visitwww.siww.com.sg.