INTERNATIONAL NEWS Water seeps into the boardroom


The CDP Water Disclosure (CDPWD), a new programme from the Carbon Disclosure Project, launched its first report on the impact of water constraints on the world’s largest corporations


last month. Some


50% of recipients responded to a questionnaire sent to 302 of the world’s largest companies asking for information on water use and other water-related business issues. The information was requested


on behalf of 137 institutional investors representing over £10T in assets. The report found that some 39% of companies are already experiencing detrimental impacts relating to water including disruption through drought or flooding, declining water quality and increases in water prices. The majority of companies (89%) have already developed specific water policies, strategies and plans, and 60% have set water- related performance targets. A high number of corporations (62%) are identifying a wide range of water related business opportunities in areas such as water management, water efficiency and reduction, and wastewater treatment.


However, just 53% of companies are able to identify whether they


IN BRIEF


Molson Coors brewery in Burton-on-Trent - the food and beverage industry has some of the greatest exposure to water risk


are exposed to water risks in their supply chains, as opposed to the high levels of awareness (96%) of water risks in their own operations. Sectors reporting the greatest exposure to water risks include food, beverage & tobacco and metals & mining, with chemicals and technology & communications the least exposed.


Welcoming the launch of the first report, Jacqueline McGlade at the European Environment Agency, said: “It is encouraging to see in the Water Disclosure Report that many corporations have already started taking concrete measures. But


we must facilitate this process by developing appropriate standards and tools to measure corporate water use and impacts across the whole supply chain.”


Gregory Wade, global chief supply chain officer for brewer Molson Coors, a lead sponsor of CDPWD, said: “Transparency must serve as the cornerstone for stimulating integrated watershed resource management and CDP Water Disclosure is perfectly positioned to normalise best practice and mediate between investors and companies in valuing risks and opportunities.”


AECOM completes RSW purchase AECOM has announced the


completion of the acquisition of a Canadian engineering firm that focuses on hydro power, RSW. John Dionisio, AECOM president


and chief executive officer, said in a statement: “The combination of RSW’s 40-year track record of serving clients in the Canadian


infrastructure and energy markets and the work of its talented staff on complex projects in more than 50 countries further strengthens AECOM’s ability to win the world’s most demanding projects.” The company has recently been awarded a design services contract to upgrade and increase


the capacity of the Sha Tin Water Treatment Works, one of Asia’s largest water treatment facilities, a project with construction costs valued at £322M and a £342M framework contract for Yorkshire Water in the UK, which is a joint venture with Galliford Try, to upgrade the existing water facility.


LG releases first water treatment solution


Electronics giant LG has launched its


first wastewater treatment


solution just two months after the company announced plans to enter the water treatment business. Despite having no previous experience with water treatment


technology, LG intends to invest £255M in this new business in the next decade (see WWT October), marking a change in direction. LG says it has already


developed an advanced G-MBR membrane filtration system, a


process requiring 34% less space than conventional MBRs. According to LG, the membrane is highly resistant to contamination and fouling, ensuring a longer lifespan while still delivering savings in maintenance costs.


Bolivia: State-owned water utility Epsas, which serves the capital La Paz and neighbouring city El Alto, aims to carry out a £51M master plan for water and sanitation, the firm’s general manager Victor Hugo Rico has told news agency BNamericas. Projects will include building reservoirs and wastewater treatment plants. Epsas says it will seek funding from multilateral financial entities, foreign aid offices and water rates.


Italy: UK instrumentation company Intellitect Water has announced two distribution partnerships with Italian water


companies for Intellisonde in-pipe water quality monitors. The Intellisonde is designed to provide water companies with more efficient access to drinking water quality data and will now be distributed across Italy by Ast Analytica and Bimatik.


US: Planning is under way for a £157M, 2km tunnel system, pump station and treatment facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. Consultancy Black & Veatch is designing the Lower Mill Creek Tunnel that could be a part of Project Groundwork, a multi-billion dollar public works programme that will reduce combined sewer overflows by 85%.


France: Veolia Water has won a £64M contract to reconstruct the Marquette- lez-Lille wastewater treatment plant, which will service a 620,000 population equivalent (PE).


December 2010 Water & Wastewater Treatment 13


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