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EMWIS Flash N°56, February 2008
| Released | 29/02/2008 |
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EMWIS Flash -
February 2008 |
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In this issue N°56 (http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/eflash/flash56)
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HEADLINE
1- EMWIS NFP in Algeria: Success in facilitating access to water
information
IN BRIEF
2- Water information in Lebanon: A new website for EMWIS NFP
3- Water information in Morocco: A new website for EMWIS NFP
4- EMWIS NFP in Israel: Water Legislation online
5- Algeria: A Drought-Proof Water Supply for Algiers
6- Tunisia: to increase the rate of connection to the public sewerage
network
7- Egypt: Eastern Desert Project launched a new GIS website
8- Egypt: 55 million € for the Cairo wastewater treatment plant, the
largest in Africa
9- Egypt: Quality of Nile water has improved
10- IFAD and Spain to help Egyptian farmers adapt to climate change
11- West Bank herders afflicted by drought
12- EU provides €7.44 million to revitalise Palestinian agriculture
13- Italian aqueduct loses more water than it delivers
14- Saudi sets up firm to oversee water privatisation
15- Progress in the MEDSTAT II programme
16- Europe's leaders unite to fight water scarcity and depletion
17- EU Water Policies must be linked to climate
18- Euro-Med Ministers decide on improving cooperation in the Information
Society
19- Mediterranean World Foundation Launch
20- UN puts water on top of the agenda at the World Economic Forum
21- Launch of 2008 Environmental Performance Index and Water
22- A new coalition of businesses to produce a multi-industry global plan
of action on water
23- Heads of ACSAD and ICARDA discuss the cooperation between the two
organizations
24- Signing a Memorandum of Understanding between ACSAD and OSS
25- EU Framework Directive: Onema and BRGM sign a partnership
26- Local Environmental Information System to assess the risk of
desertification
27- Satellite monitoring of desertification: Background overview
28- Analysis of snow cover dynamics in the Moroccan High Atlas using
SPOT-VEGETATION data
29- IBM to set up Global Centre of Excellence for Water management
30- Maintenance: A hidden cost for water and sanitation services
31- The sustainable urban wastewater treatment and reuse in Decision-making
in environmental projects
32- Fresh Water For The World's Poorest
33- Life-saving clean-water project secures $13m from Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation
NOMINATIONS
& VACANCIES
PUBLICATIONS
CALL FOR
TENDERS and PROPOSALS
CALL FOR
PAPERS
TRAINING
EVENTS
BRIEF EMWIS SITE
MAP
CONTACT US /
COMMENTS
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HEADLINE
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1- The
Hydrographical Basin Agency Constantinois-Seybousse-Mellegue (ABH-CSM) has
been appointed by the Ministry of Infrastructure (Ministère de l'Equipement)
which is now the Ministry of Water Resources- as the NFP of EMWIS in
Algeria. Its mission is to: develop and update the hydraulic basin register,
participate in the preparation of master plans for the mobilization and
allocation of water resources and sanitation, encourage all users to a
better use of water resources and pollution control, and finance projects
within the scope of water conservation and the preservation of its quality.
The Algerian website: www.semide.dz was
launched in 13 June 2000. It is now available in three languages: Arabic,
French and English and contributes to the diffusion of information on water
activities (seminars, conferences, meetings…) in Algeria and updating the
Algerian legislation on water. It includes also a daily press review at
national and regional levels and Algerian bibliographic references (thesis,
dissertations, studies, journals…) collected from the various sources of
information (institutes, schools, libraries…). Further information on EMWIS website
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IN
BRIEF (Full
news)
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2- EMWIS National Focal Point (NFP) in Lebanon, which is the Ministry of Energy and Water, has just launched a new website version. This action was facilitated by the financial and technical support of EMWIS Technical Unit. This new multilingual and dynamic portal is available in English, French and Arabic. It provides information about water context, water institutions, water documentation (including law and regulations), training in water issues, water research & development, and data management. This new portal is fully dynamic and uses XML to facilitate syndication and information flow exchange with EMWIS portal (www.emwis.net) and with other information providers portals. Further information on EMWIS website
3- EMWIS National Focal Point (NFP) in Morocco, which is the "Secretary of State to the Minister of Energy, Mining, Water and Environment, in charge of Water and Environment" has just launched a new website version. This new multilingual and dynamic portal is available in French and will be soon available in English and Arabic too. It contains sections on: news & events calendar, water institutions, water context, water documentation & legislation, training in water issues, water research & development, and data management. XML feeds will be implemented soon to facilitate syndication and information flow exchange with EMWIS portal (www.emwis.net) and with other information providers portals. Further information on EMWIS website
4- Israel’s scarce water resources are regulated through a series of water laws that acknowledge public ownership of all water resources, deny private water rights and institute an administrative regime of water allocation based on permitted uses and priorities of use in case of scarcity. EMWIS National Focal Point (NFP) in Israel, which is the Hydrological Service of Israel, has put online two new sections on its website available in English and Hebrew: the Israel’s water context and the water legislation (including the principles of Water Legislation and Water Institutions and Tools). Further information on EMWIS website
5- One of the largest seawater desalination plants in the world was officially opened in Algiers on 24 February 2008 by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and a senior executive of the U.S.-based General Electric Company, which built and will operate the plant. The new $250 million facility will supply the millions of residents of this capital city by the sea. Completed on time and on budget in 24 months, the Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant is North Africa's first large-scale reverse osmosis desalination plant to be funded by a joint venture that combines public and private equity investment. The special project company, Hamma Water Desalination SpA, combines 70 percent funding from General Electric and 30 percent from the state-owned Algerian Energy Company, AEC. Further information on EMWIS website
6- The Tunisian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development plans to intensify in 2008, programmes and projects to improve environmental indicators. A priority will be to generalize the services of the National Sanitation (ONAS), with the ultimate aim to increase the rate of connection to the public sewerage network of 86% to 88.5%. Further information on EMWIS website
7- The Eastern Desert Project is a three-years targeted research project funded by UNDP/GEF launched in 2002. The project explores new avenues to better estimation of the development potential of groundwater in aquifers underlying wadi systems. The project aims to develop a replicable model for demonstrating different approaches to integrate groundwater resources of watersheds into water budget in arid regions. In this framework, a new GIS website was launched based on an agreement between the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (EMWIS National Focal Point), Cairo University (Egypt) & Western Michigan University (USA). Further information on EMWIS website
8- Degrémont, a subsidiary of SUEZ Environment, has been awarded a contract to design, build and operate the Gabal El Asfar wastewater treatment plant extension in Egypt. The plant, located to the east of Cairo and with a daily treatment capacity of 1,500,000 m3, currently treats the wastewater of 9 million of Cairo’s residents. The facility needs to be extended to handle an additional capacity of 300,000 m3/day; the construction thereof will take 40 months as from the end of 2007 and will be entirely financed by the Egyptian state. Thanks to this extension, wastewater treatment facilities will be provided to 1.8 million additional residents. Further information on EMWIS website
9- A study has indicated that water quality in the River Nile improved considerably in the months of October and November 2007, giving rise to hopes that drinking water quality for many of Egypt's 80 million people may improve. The total water quality improved by an average of 14 percent in the main course, 9 percent in the Damietta branch and 15 percent in the Rosetta branch. Despite all these efforts, officials believe environmental awareness is more important in solving environmental problems in Egypt. Further information on EMWIS website
10- IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) will assist small Egyptian farmers in adapting to climate change as part of a climate change initiative approved by the Management Board of the Spanish Millennium Development Goal Fund on 17 December 2007. The initiative involves a number of United Nations agencies, each in accordance with its respective comparative advantage and mandate, in supporting the Government of Egypt’s efforts to address the challenge of climate change. Working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and its research centres, IFAD will focus on improving water management and on providing drought-resistant and heat-tolerant crops to cope with the increased temperatures. Further information on EMWIS website
11- Herders in the southern West Bank are facing hardship due to a drought this winter, which comes on top of previous troubles, including rising fodder prices and land access restrictions, a new UN document said. Further information on EMWIS website
12- The EU is providing €7.44 million to five new projects to help revitalise the agricultural sector in the occupied Palestinian Territory. The total value of the projects amounts to € 8.8 million (€4.8 for olive oil, €4 million for land reclamation) out of which the European Union has granted €7.44 million euros (84%). Further information on EMWIS website
13- The ancient Romans may have mastered the art of building impressive aqueducts to deliver water across their empire, but modern day Italian engineers seem to be struggling with water retention, a study shows. The aqueduct serving Puglia, the important agricultural region that forms the heel of the Italian boot-shaped peninsula, is riddled with so many holes that it leaks more water than it delivers, according to a study by Italian investment bank Mediobanca. Overall Italy wastes 14 percent more water than France, 36 percent more than Spain, 56 percent more than Britain and 311 percent more than Germany, the study said. Further information on EMWIS website
14- Saudi Arabia has set up a water company to oversee privatisation of expensive sewerage services and efforts to save dwindling water resources, that would be wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund. It will assume control of all the kingdom's groundwater wells and sewage and desalination plants, which were previously in the hands of various government bodies in a convoluted system. The new firm also will take charge of privatising urban water and sewerage services. Further information on EMWIS website
15- On 14 February, the Directors of the Statistical Institutes of the MEDSTAT countries met to review progress in the MEDSTAT II programme and to discuss the options for continuing cooperation in the post-MEDSTAT period. The MEDSTAT II programme will end in mid-2009. Future cooperation will be based on the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument which favours bilateral support to countries. Although countries recognised the advantages of bilateral support and twinning, they felt that a regional dimension was still needed. MEDSTAT II has created a dynamism that propels all countries forward, setting standards to be reached, providing training and technical assistance to help reach those standards. It was agreed that a Task Force, involving Commission, EU NSIs and MED NSIs, be set up to identify the areas for which a regional programme is still important, and the priorities for any future regional programme. Further information on EMWIS website
16- The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia welcomed the water stewardship and accompanying water awareness programme (Aquawareness) initiated by the European Water Partnership (EWP). These programmes promote principles of advanced sustainable water management, following the Commission’s Communication on water scarcity and droughts. The European Parliament represented by the rapporteur Dr. Richard Seeber wishes to react to the communication of the European Commission with a broad based initiative report which looks at the key strategic challenges. For this purpose the European Parliament started a cooperation with the European Water Partnership and organizes a first high level debate which will discuss the direction of the initiative report. This high level debate took place on Wednesday, 13th February 2008 in the European Parliament. Further information on EMWIS website
17- At the Climate Change Committee's Fourth Thematic session, Members of European Parliament (MEPs) and experts discussed the complex links between global warming and the world's water. Water scarcity, climate change and sustainable development, it was agreed, are issues which are closely linked and cannot be successfully tackled in isolation. Further information on EMWIS website
18- Decisions that will further enhance cooperation between the EU and the Mediterranean Partner Countries were taken at the second Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on the Information Society, entitled “Building an Enabling Environment for the EUROMED Information Society”, held in Cairo (Egypt) in 27 February 2008. During the meeting, organized by the Slovenian EU rotating Presidency and the European Commission and hosted by the Egyptian government, the ministers decided that a Work Programme with specific initiatives and projects will be prepared and a mapping exercise carried out. In their Declaration, the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Barcelona Process), and recalled the importance of the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Action Plans “as important tools to reinforce and complement the Partnership”. Further information on EMWIS website
19- The Mediterranean World Foundation launch event took place at the Foreign Office, Quai d’Orsay in Paris on December 11th 2007. Through the launch of the Mediterranean World Foundation, the event aimed at the rapprochement of the two shores of the Mediterranean under the topic: « New political and economic approach for the Mediterranean Basin ». Further information on EMWIS website
20- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the world to put the looming crisis over water shortages at the top of the global agenda this year and take action to prevent conflicts over scarce supplies. He reminded business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum that the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan was touched off by drought — and he said shortages of water contribute to poverty and social hardship in Somalia, Chad, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Colombia and Kazakhstan. Further information on EMWIS website
21- The 2008 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks 149 countries on 25 indicators tracked across six established policy categories: Environmental Health, Air Pollution, Water Resources, Biodiversity and Habitat, Productive Natural Resources, and Climate Change. The Index provides a powerful tool for improving policymaking and shifting environmental decision-making onto firmer analytic foundations. The Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS)/Water collaborated on the Water Pollution section of the EPI. Further information on EMWIS website
22- The world is running short of its key liquid asset (water). Demand for water is set to spark an acute shortage that will leave key sectors, including agriculture, without sufficient supplies to meet global food requirements. The growing world population is now placing water supplies under such stress that by 2020 between 75m and 250m people will be exposed to increased levels of "water stress", delegates to the WEF (World Economic Forum) heard. The WEF is creating a new coalition of businesses to produce a framework with commitments in place to produce a multi-industry global plan of action on water. This will see existing water management solutions increased in scale and replicated across industries. It will also undertake a major new international forecast on water security and its economic and political implications. Further information on EMWIS website
23- The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) discussed the bilateral ties between the two organizations and the methods and means of activating the cooperation between the two sides in the fields of mutual concern, especially in the projects for monitoring and combating desertification, water resources, mathematical modeling, cereal program, monitoring the degradation of the vegetative cover and the question of climatic change. Further information on EMWIS website
24- The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2008. The fields of cooperation under this Memorandum of Understanding include, among other things, land degradation, water resources, training and technology transfer and information systems. The two parties will exchange data and information, organize training courses and scientific gatherings and train Arab and African technical cadres in different fields. Further information on EMWIS website
25- The French National Board of water and aquatic environments (Onema) and the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM) signed on January 24 a cooperation agreement for the implementation of the EU water framework directive. Further information on EMWIS website
26- Within the context of environmental surveillance and combating desertification in rural drylands, a local environmental information system (Siel, système d’information sur l’environnement à l’échelle locale) has been developed and implemented on agropastoral areas in Africa. Using a generic approach and appropriate environmental models, Siel makes it possible to assess the intensity of land degradation risk (past, current and future) relative to local human pressure and biophysical characteristics. Further information on EMWIS website
27- Environmental monitoring of arid and semi-arid regions relies highly on Earth Observation satellites to repeatedly and regularly survey these vast areas. Case studies based on the use of change detection have been proposed to review 30 years’ monitoring of rangelands in Tunisia, and the irrigation extension in Morocco. Further information on EMWIS website
28- The Moroccan High-Atlas mountain range represents the most important “water tower” for the neighbouring arid regions, especially the Haouz plain in the surroundings of Marrakech. Water resources are facing enormous pressure and sustainable water management is a priority for the regional authority. A precise understanding of the processes and variables that drive the hydrological cycle is required. Remote sensing is beneficial for long-term observation of the inter- and intra-annual variability of snow covered areas in a region where the meteorological observation network is insufficient. Further information on EMWIS website
29- In response to growing concerns over climate change and its potential impact on low-lying coastal regions, IBM announced that it will establish an IBM Global Center of Excellence for Water Management in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Drawing on IBM consulting, technology and research expertise, the Center will help IBM's public sector clients worldwide to develop enhanced prediction and protection systems for low-lying coastal areas and river deltas. Further information on EMWIS website
30- A study carried out by the WHO and the World Bank estimated the cost of achieving the WHO’s water and sanitation target by 2014. The study explored the impact of high cost technologies, such as piped water to individual homes, as well as low-cost technology solutions including pit latrines. The study recommends that the preferences of service users should be considered in the planning of water and sanitation services. Cost estimates used to evaluate the benefits of programmes should include the operation, maintenance and replacement costs of existing coverage as well as new services and programme costs. Further information on EMWIS website
31- Development of tools for he promotion of the sustainable urban wastewater treatment and reuse in Decision-making in environmental projects can be complex due mainly to the existence of trade-offs between socio-political, environmental and economic factors. This is why the 'Medaware' project, which is an EU MEDA-Water Project, has focused its aims on the development of a software tool capable of applying a scoring system for existing wastewater facilities based on the potential safe reuse of the final effluent. The tool helps guide the authorities responsible towards the most efficient solutions in terms of health and safety for the agricultural reuse of the produced effluent as well as to help them undertake actions that are sustainable. Further information on EMWIS website
32- Lack of water causes great distress among the population in large parts of Africa and Asia. Small decentralized water treatment plants with an autonomous power supply can help solve the problem: They transform salty seawater or brackish water into pure drinking water. Large industrial plants for the desalination of seawater deliver 50 million cubic meters of fresh water every day – particularly in the coastal cities of the Middle East. However, the technology is complex and consumes large amounts of energy. Small desalination units run by solar power are a better solution in arid and semi-arid rural regions with no access to electricity according to Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, that has developed such units with funding from the European Union. Further information on EMWIS website
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NOMINATIONS &
VACANCIES
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34- Mrs. Danuta EL GHUFF has been nominated MEDA Water Task Manager of the EC Delegation in Amman (Jordan). Further information on EMWIS website
35- Mr. Adnan Budieri the new MedWet Coordinator has over 18 years of experience in environmental management focusing on wetland, coastal zone and marine management, as well as on biodiversity. Further information on EMWIS website
36- WaterAid has appointed Mrs. Margaret Batty to the post of Policy and Campaigns Director. Further information on EMWIS website
37- On the 21st of January, Serbia took over the Presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) for the year 2008. The handover was made during an official ceremony hosted by the outgoing Presidency, Romania, at the premises of the Permanent Mission of Romania in Vienna, Austria. Further information on EMWIS website
38- There will be 4 vacant positions after the next GWP Steering Committe meeting (spring of 2008). Nominations do not need to come from an organization. Candidates can be nominated by individuals. Successful candidates should be committed to the promotion of sustainable IWRM, should be able to contribute towards the development of GWP strategic direction, be able to open doors for GWP, operate at high level and have contacts at most senior national, regional or international levels. Nominations are requested before 30 March 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
39-
AECOM International Development is a global economic and infrastructure
development firm serving governments, multi-lateral donors and the private
sector. AECOM is currently seeking long- and short-term technical experts
in urban and community water supply. Application deadline: 10 March
2008. Further information on
EMWIS website
40- Acción contra el Hambre (ACH) looks for a Water & Sanitation Coordinator. ACH is present in the Palestinian Territory since September 2002, specifically in Tubas, Nablus and Jenin Districts (West Bank). Operations are based mainly on financial support of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), the Spanish Cooperation (AECI) and own funds. ACF’s mission mandate in the Palestinian Territories is to support the vulnerable population affected by the crisis, addressing their rights to access to basic needs (Water and Water & Sanitation). Application deadline: 30 March 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
41- The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia is looking for an Economic Affairs Officer (Water), P-4, to work in UN-ESCWA, Beirut (Lebanon). His/her responsibilities will be related to water resources and environmental management. Application deadline: 20 April 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
42- The MESO database of experts is now available online and you may register if you wish to appear on this platform. The MESO program aims at promoting and transmitting the economic-environmental analysis in Maghreb and Mashreq countries. In order to fulfill this aim, Ecosys and sba are now currently developing university postgraduate training in environmental economics in Maghreb and Mashreq countries. The meso-expert database completes the setting by listing the persons that are able to realize, help to realize, interpret and update meso-economic analyses. Further information on EMWIS website
43- A new vacancy has been posted on the UNEP employment website, entitled 'Coordinator, Marine & Coastal Ecosystems' (D1 Position), Division of Environmental Policy Implementation in Nairobi. The deadline for this vacancy expires on 22 March 2008.
Further information on EMWIS website
44- The Swiss Mountain Water Award is an innovation competition for water-related projects, which has been held four times so far. It rewards water-related projects which provide a sustainable contribution to added value in the Swiss mountains. The deadline for submitting innovative projects is 15 April 2008. The total value of the prizes is 60,000 Swiss francs. Further information on EMWIS website.
45- PhD Scholarship: "Coupling of meteorological and hydrological modelling for climate modelling". Applications are invited for a funded PhD scholarship in coupling of meteorological and hydrological modelling for climate modelling. The funding provided by the Danish Research Council is available for three years. The application, marked “041-0011.2008”, should be directed, not later than 17th March 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
46- The call for the "2008 SEED Awards for Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Development" is opened on the 1st February 2008 and will close on the 16th March 2008. The SEED Initiative was founded by IUCN, UNDP and UNEP to deliver concrete progress towards the internationally-agreed, aspirational goals in the UN’s Millennium Declaration and the commitments made at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002. The Award is not a cash prize - but the services offered have a value of US$25,000. Further information on EMWIS website
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PUBLICATIONS
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47- MEDA-Water 2nd newsletter has been published last December 2007, and edited by MEDA-Water RMSU unit, describing the progress of MEDA-Water projects. Further information on EMWIS website
48- The news No. 18 of the IOWater - December 2007 - January 2008 has
just been published. This is an annual publication of the International
Office of Water (IOWater). Further information on EMWIS website (Only in
French)
49- IME (Mediterranean Institute of Water) NEWSLETTER, January 2008: The IME Newsletter of January 2008 is available online in French version only. Further information on EMWIS website
50- The "Environmental Terminology Discovery Service - EEA" is officially launched and in a final version: The "Environmental Terminology Discovery Service - EEA" is officially launched and in a final version including data from EMWIS Thesaurus. Further information on EMWIS website
51- EuropeAid website available in 22 languages: The European Commission’s EuropeAid co-operation office, that manages EU external aid programmes and ensures that development assistance is delivered worldwide, has announced that its website is now available in 22 languages. Further information on EMWIS website
52- Zer0-M Video, broadcasting by BBC World: “Waste not Waste”: Every day a flushtoilet sends 27 litres of precious drinking water down the drain. Scientists are urgently seeking less wasteful sanitation techniques. Earth Report visits Morocco and Tunisia where water is scarce and human waste management a top priority. In Germany waterless urinals and dry toilets are being developed. The Dutch have invented a device that fills compost bags with human waste, right there in your toilet. Further information on EMWIS website
53- ESCWA Water Development Report 2: State of Water Resources in the ESCWA Region. Further information on EMWIS website
54- Tenth Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum - Summary and Analysis (Globalization and the Environment: Mobilising Finance for Climate Change) took place from 20-22 February 2008, in the Principality of Monaco. Further information on EMWIS website
55- The Policy Brief "Scarce Water, Plenty of Conflicts? Local Water Conflicts and the Role of Development Cooperation" (3/2008) by Annabelle Houdret analyses the causes of intrastate water conflicts and introduces the main challenges for international development cooperation. Further information on EMWIS website
56- Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) are becoming increasingly important in the treatment of municipal wastewater. This publication reports theresults and experiences of the first 16 months of operation and the associated research programme of the first full-scale MBR in the Netherlands, demonstrated by a LIFE project (LIFE02 ENV/NL/000117). Further information on EMWIS website
57- Putting a price on water quality: This study provides a pricing framework for decision-makers that will help in the development of strategies for water quality management. Further information on EMWIS website
58- The fourth issue of CIHEAM Watch Letter focuses on the Mediterranean aquaculture. It is available in English and French. Further information on EMWIS website
59- "Adaptiveness of IWRM - Analysing European IWRM research": This book provides new insights and knowledge on the challenges and solutions that current water management faces in a situation of complexity and uncertainty. Further information on EMWIS website
60- Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: This IPCC Working Group II volume provides a completely up-to-date scientific assessment of the impacts of climate change, the vulnerability of natural and human environments, and the potential for response through adaptation. Further information on EMWIS website
61- Report on right to water and sanitation in Gaza: The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions has released a report entitled Hostage to Politics: The impact of sanctions and the blockade on the human right to water and sanitation in Gaza. The report is available at www.cohre.org. Further information on EMWIS website
62- Rethinking governance in water services. The purpose of this working paper, a think piece on governance in water services, is twofold. First, it aims to provide a basis for discussion and debate as to how the Department for International Development (DFID) should improve its approach to governance in water services.Second, it aims to develop a more comprehensive and structured approach to the analysis and the development of governance in water services by applying DFID’s current governance thinking at the sector level. Further information on EMWIS website
63- Manual on the Right to Water and Sanitation: This Manual has been produced by the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Human Rights Programme and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT). Further information on EMWIS website
64- The fourth issue of the AquaStress Newsletter: This number is focussing on the EC water policy orientations for future actions, development of AquaStress Case Study outputs and on AquaStress Integrated Solutions Support System (I3S-I-tripleS). AquaStress is an EU funded integrated project (IP) delivering interdisciplinary methodologies enabling actors at different levels of involvement and at different stages of the planning process to mitigate water stress problems. Further information on EMWIS website
65- Guidebook to Help Water Utilities Improve Energy Management: EPA and its water and wastewater partners are learning more and doing more to confront serious challenges related to rising energy costs. Further information on EMWIS website
66- The Water and Environment News Issue No. 23, December 2007: The Water and Environment News of the Isotope Hydrology Section is published six-monthly by the IAEA. Further information on EMWIS website
67- The African Water Association lanched a new website, available in French & English. Further information on EMWIS website
68- ICID News Update Online: Managing Water for Sustainable Agriculture — Water for Food and Rural Development: The latest ICID News Update (January 2008) has been placed on the ICID website and can be viewed or downloaded online. Further information on EMWIS website
69- GEWAMED Newsletter, Issue No.7: GEWAMED (Mainstreaming Gender Dimensions Into Water Resources Development and Management in the Mediterranean Region) project has just published the issue n°7 of its Newsletter. Further information on EMWIS website
70- Water Reuse is a Sustainable Water Supply for UK Industry: CIWEM believes that water reuse should play an important part in achieving more sustainable water management in the UK. Further information on EMWIS website
71- Development Goals: new cost estimates for attaining MDGs for water and sanitation: A new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) provides “more updated and comprehensive figures than have been previously available of the costs of attaining the MDG [Millennium Development Goal] target for water and sanitation”. From 2005 to 2014 an estimated US$ 70 billion (EUR 48.2 billion) needs to be spent annually on water and sanitation of which US$ 18 billion (EUR 12.4 billion) is on increasing coverage to the currently unserved population and US$ 52 billion (EUR 35.8 billion) is on maintaining existing coverage. Further information on EMWIS website
72- Climate change threats: An NGO framework for action: A report on climate change from civil society is currently being drafted to be submitted to the UN Secretary General. Further information on EMWIS website
73- 2007/2008 Human Development Report tackles climate change: The report warns that the world should focus on the development impact of climate change, which could bring unprecedented reversals in poverty reduction, nutrition, health and education. Further information on EMWIS website
74- Model-based scenarios of Mediterranean droughts: This study examines the change in current 100-year hydrological drought frequencies in the Mediterranean in comparison to the 2070s as simulated by the global model WaterGAP. Further information on EMWIS website
75- Hydrological impact simulations of climate change on Lebanese coastal rivers: The significance of predicted climatic changes is still uncertain. The hydrological consequences of climatic changes on Lebanese catchments are analysed by means of different scenarios of rainfall variability and temperature increase. Further information on EMWIS website
76- Development and application of the modelling system J2000-S for the EU-Water Framework Directive: The scientific sound definition of measures to achieve the goals of the EU water framework directive (WFD) acquires spatially distributed analyses of the water and substance dynamics in meso- to macro-scale catchments. Further information on EMWIS website
77- Water Resources in Jordan: Evolving Policies for Development, the Environment, And Conflict Resolution. This is the first comprehensive, multi-disciplinary book to address water policy in Jordan. Edited by the former Minister of Water and Irrigation of Jordan. Further information on EMWIS website
78- Participatory Approach in Decision Making Processes for Water Resources Management in the Mediterranean Basin: This paper deals with the comparative analysis of different policy options for water resources management in three south-eastern Mediterranean countries. The paper briefly describes the general objectives of the SMART project and then presents the three local case studies, the valuation objectives and the applied methodology - developed as a general replicable framework suitable for implementation in other decision-making processes. Further information on EMWIS website
79- Swedish Water House News Flash – February 2008 - Vol. 1, No. 1: The Swedish Water House supports international policy development and co-operation through knowledge generation and dissemination and partnership building primarily within the areas of sustainable river basin management and integrated water resources management. Further information on EMWIS website
80- The African Water Association (AWA) has launched a new website. Further information on EMWIS website
81- Mediterranean Water Data: Initial data on water resources and water demands have just been made available online as part of the development of SIMEDD (Mediterranean Information System on Environment and Sustainable Development) with the support of French Ministry of ecology and sustainable development. and planning. Further information on EMWIS website
82- Just published: "Management of water demand, and political progress: Proceedings of the 3rd Regional Workshop on Water and Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean". The workshop was held in Zaragoza (Spain) from 19 to 21 March 2007. This report is available in pdf (50 MB) online. Further information on EMWIS website
83- The detailed data on performance indicators of french public services for water and sanitation are available on the website eaudanslaville.fr . Further information on EMWIS website
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CALL FOR TENDERS
and PROPOSALS
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84- EU-FP7 Call for proposal - ERA-NET / ERA-NET
PLUS Call 2008: Call identifier: FP7-ERANET-2008-RTD, Indicative budget:
29,3 M€. This call for Coordination and Support Actions covers a.o.
Environment topics (including Climate Change). Deadline for application:
August 12, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
85- Mitigating Flood Risk in Flooded Areas in the GAP region in Turkey: The global objective of this assignment is to increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of the 'Mitigating flood risk in flooded areas in the GAP region' project. Closing date: 19 December 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
86- ENPI
Information and Communication campaign forecast announced: “ENPI Information
and Communication campaign" (Reference: EuropeAid/126683/C/SER/Multi). The
indicative budget for the contract is 5,5 M€. The contractor is
expected to assist the European Commission (Headquarters and Delegations) to
prepare and launch information and communication campaigns during the next 3
years targeting the citizens in the ENPI countries. The intended indicative
timing of publication of the procurement notice for the contract is March
2008.
Further information on EMWIS website
87- EuropeAid/126503/C/ACT/EG: Water Quality Management (Egypt): The purpose of the project is to assist the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigations' Central Water Quality Management Unit in effectively improving its management of water quality through strengthening the institutional, regulatory, human resources capacity, serving the National Water Resources Management Plan and in line with EU directives in the water sector. Overall amount available for this Call for Proposals: 1,3 M€. Deadline for submission of Twinning proposals by the National Contact Points to the Contracting Authority: Monday, the 17th of March 2008, 17h00 Egypt Local Time. Further information on EMWIS website
88- Conducting a national survey, a plan of action and communication for the water sector, Algeria (EuropeAid / 126157/D/SER/DZ): The programme of support to the water sector in Algeria, initiated at the request of the Algerian government, as part of the MEDA programme aims to contribute to a sustainable satisfaction of water consumers demand, to restore the image of service quality in the water sector, to improve the adequacy of water actors to their missions in the framework of integrated management of water resources and promote water saving and the preservation of the resource and the environment. Deadline for receipt of applications: 10 March 2008 at 16h00 (Algerian time). Maximum budget: EUR 800000. Further information on EMWIS website
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CALL FOR PAPERS
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89- Call for contributions to a University
review: "Horizons maghrébins-the right to memory -2008 Alimentation &
population in the Maghreb & the Middle East". The thematic scope is:
Self-sufficiency or food dependence, agro-alimentary Policies, Food Quality,
Revival of country agriculture and experiments of agro-ecology, urban
Agriculture, Water Management & Farm prices. Deadline for contributions:
March 31, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
90- Call for papers for the 10th DHI International Conference & 2nd European MIKE Software Conference, Dubrovnik 2008: "Water Across Europe”. The deadline for submitting abstracts is: 1 June 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
91- The International Conference ‘Xenobiotics in the Urban Water Cycle – XENOWAC 2009’, that will be held in Paphos (Cyprus) in March 11-13, 2009, has published its first announcement. Deadline for abstracts submission: July 15, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
92- Call for papers - Voice and water: E-pisteme, a postgraduate e-journal based in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Newcastle University, is dedicated to publishing fresh and vibrant research of the highest quality from postgraduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Contributions on voices and water (e.g. social mouvements related to water issues, representativeness of water users, ...) are welcome. Deadline for submissions: 15th April 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
93- The next GEWAMED regional workshop will be held in Tunisia, from 19 to 22 May 2008. The workshop will focus on “Mainstreaming Gender Dimensions in Water Management for Rural Development”. Papers should take into consideration gender analysis tools, gender disaggregated data, identification of gender sensitive indicators and actions to increase awareness on gender. Papers should be submitted before the 30th of March 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
94- Dr. Omar Salem of the General Water Authority of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Mr Youba Sokona of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), co-chair, along with the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP), invite you to the 3rd International Conference on Managing Shared aquifer Resources in Africa that will be held in Tripoli, Libya, 25-27 May 2008. Deadline for submission of papers: 15th March 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
95- Call for application for the 7th World Wide Workshop for Young Environmental Scientists -- WWW-YES 2008: Since 6 years, CEREVE organizes within the Water University of Val-de-Marne County, the World Wide Workshop for Young Environmental Scientists (WWW YES). The thematic guideline of the seminar is 'Urban waters'. Deadline for application: 19 March 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
96- A new electronic scientific Journal has just been launched: "Water Alternatives: An interdisciplinary Journal on water, Politics and Development": WaA is an interdisciplinary journal addressing the full range of issues that water raises in contemporary societies. The inaugural issue will be released on the 1st of June 2008. Submissions are welcome: you may already send your manuscripts to the editors and register in order to receive tables of contents when a new issue is published. Further information on EMWIS website
97- Call for abstracts for the IV International Symposium on Transboundary Waters Management: The main topic of the symposium is Transboundary Surface Waters and Shared Aquifers. This event will take place in Thessaloniki (Greece) in 15-18/10/2008. Extended abstracts up to 3 pages on the above mentioned themes should be submitted by 30th May 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
98-The association OCADD devoted to the theme of water, has announced the 1st Call for papers for the next issue of its publication: "Revue des Arts de l’Oralité", No. 2 - Focus: Water, Environment and imaginary. Deadline for submission of articles: April 30, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
99- Call for papers for the International Colloquium: "Earth and Water 2008": In 2004, the symposium "Earth and Water" reported on the issues of soil resources, water pollution and various interactions. Earth & Water 2008, follow up treating these issues in the new context of exploration, exploitation and sustainable management. Deadline for submitting abstracts: May 30, 2008. Further information on EMWIS website
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TRAINING
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100- IAEA Regional Training Course on Application of Isotope Techniques in
Hydrology was held at the Center for Ecotoxicological Research of
Montenegro, Budva, Montenegro during 5–14 November, 2007. 22 trainees
from Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Hungary, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Lithuania, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and
Tajikistan, 3 external lecturers and two IAEA staff participated in this
activity. Further information on EMWIS website
101- International Specialized Course: Operation & Control of activated sludge processes by microscopic analysis. This Course is the 19th in this series offered by Environmental Study Center «Luigi Bazzucchi». The Course is designed for operators and designers of municipal and industrial biological wastewater treatment plants and researchers and graduate students studying the activated sludge process. It will be held in Perugia (Italy) in 16-20 June 2008. Further information on EMWIS website.
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EVENTS
(Full
Agenda) - 2nd Annual Middle East
Waste & Water Congress: "Moving forward with the advances in waste and
water technologies for a more secured future and environment" - Conference
& Exhibition, Dubai, UAE, 26-27/05/2008
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[2008/03/28 - 2008/03/30] A Mediterranean Union,
how and why? - Paris, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/26 - 2008/03/28] The First African Water Week (AWW-1): “Accelerating the Water Security for Socio-Economic Development of Africa”, Tunis, Tunisia.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/26 - 2008/03/26] CIWEM - Environment Agency conference: Critical Infrastructure and Flooding - Responding to Realities, London, UK.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/22 - 2008/03/24] The 4th International Conference on the Water Resources in the Mediterranean Basin, WATMED4, Algiers, Algeria.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/21 - 2008/03/22] Meeting on Unconventional Water Resources for Water Supply (Water Management in the Arid Zones. Role of Unconventional Water Resources), Laayoune City, Morocco
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/19 - 2008/03/19] 2008 World Water Day Seminar on Water and Sanitation, Stockholm, Sweden.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/17 - 2008/03/19] WEDC short course on accessibility of water and sanitation, Loughborough, UK.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/17 - 2008/03/18] NORMAN workshop "Integrated strategies for risk assessment of emerging substances", Lyon, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/15 - 2008/03/19] United Nations/UNESCO/Saudi Arabia: International Conference on the Use of Space Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/13 - 2008/03/14] Conference: "Crisis situation & European cooperation: Floods", Aix-en-Provence, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/12 - 2008/03/14] Pi08 - International Conference on Performance Assessment of Urban Infrastructure Services: Drinking water, wastewater and solid waste, Valencia, Spain
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/12 - 2008/03/13] The Second DME Seminar: Pumps and Valves in Desalination Plants, Frankenthal, Germany
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/10 - 2008/03/12] International Symposium on Environmental Legislation, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/10 - 2008/03/12] International Conference on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Lessons from Implementation in Developing Countries and the 2nd Africa Regional meeting of the National Committees of UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme, Cape Town, South Africa
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/10 - 2008/03/11] IrWa
Project Conference: Challenges for Irrigation Water Management, Amman,
Jordan.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/10 - 2008/03/16] Environment Week, 2nd Edition, Montpellier, France
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/10 - 2008/03/13] MEDSTAT II Environment Sector / UNESCWA / UNSD Joint Sub-regional Training Session on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Water (SEEAW), Amman, Jordan
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/06 - 2008/03/09] 10th Conference on Environmental Education in Europe, Valleta, Malta
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/06 - 2008/03/06] 3rd FEMIP Conference: "Promoting sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean: how to address the economic and environmental challenges", Berlin, Germany
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/03 - 2008/03/21] SPLASH ERA-Net e-conference: "Towards better water policies: how can increasing the uptake of research findings help?", Online
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/03 - 2008/03/08] Advanced training Course on Spatial Planning as a Strategy for Mitigation and Adaptation to Natural Hazards, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/01 - 2008/11/15] UNESCO Institute for Water Education: Online courses
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/03/01 - 2008/08/31] Internship opportunity: State of the art on "Role playing games and experiments" for water management, Montpellier, France.
Further information on EMWIS website
[2008/02/28 - 2008/02/28] European Voice conference: Europe’s Water, Brussels, Belgium.
Further information on EMWIS website
===============================================
BRIEF EMWIS SITE MAP
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ABOUT EMWIS
(Priorities, Activities, Objectives, Structure, Funding, Team)
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