drain TRADER
Call for water professionals to join crisis response register
A new centrally held register of water professionals who can contribute to disaster efforts has been launched by the Water Action Platform. The Crisis Response Register has been set up initially as a response to the explosion that occurred in the port of Beirut, Lebanon on 4 August and is intended to be a permanent record. Dr Piers Clark, chairman of Isle Utilities, which hosts theWaterAction Platform said,“We are launching the Crisis Response Register for water professionalswhofeel theymay have something they could contribute – be it for Beirut or any future disasters.Whether youwork within a water utility directly, or are part of the supply chain - contractor, consultant, tech company - your input, and perhaps that of your organisation, could makes a difference.” The explosion was linked to inappropriate storage of 2,750 tonnes of ammoniumnitrate and more than 200 people died and 7,000 injured in the blast. In addition, 300,000 have beenmadehomeless and up to US$15bn of damage caused. Dr Clark explained,“My thoughts turned to the water and sanitation challenges that this accident has created in a country which already had unsatisfactory infrastructure. For thousands of families the coming winter is going to be incredibly tough. “Ensuring that there is no cholera outbreak and protecting them from Covid-19 are going to be particular challenges.” Clark said that over 72 hours he spoke to multiple organisations and relief agencies, thinking that therewould be a register of global water professionalswhocould be called upon in times of crisis, but time and again was told that no such register existed.
Delivering water and sanitation services for
the 300,000 made homeless by the explosion in the Port of Beirut will be very challenging.
“In fact, Iwas told, if such a thing did exist itwould be hugely valuable,” he revealed. “There aremany excellent, highly capable andwell-equipped organisations and charitieswhoareworking hard to address the immediate needs,”says Clark.“Whatwe are creating here is a register of water professionalswhocan be called up to support these organisations. “I’msure I’mnot alone in wanting to applymy professional knowledge to help and I urge anyonewhofeels the sameway to register today.” Industry professionals wishing to join the Crisis Response Register can watch Dr Clark’s personal appeal and register.
Finnish Utility trials asset investment planning software
Finnish multi-utility Alva is the first in Scandinavia to trial Ovarro’s PIONEER asset investment planning (AIP) software. The six-month trial, which started in May focuses on Alva’s water distribution network but will also assess the potential benefits of optimal investment planning right across its asset base. Alva serves the city of Jyväskylä in central Finland and its surrounding area and, along with its subsidiaries, generates and distributes electricity and produces, sells and distributes heat and water in the networks they own. PIONEER is aweb-based decision support platform that can optimise asset management planning and operational strategies. KimmoJärvinen, head of Alva’s asset management programmesaid, “As a frontrunner in utility asset management in Nordic countries, Alva is excited by this proof of
concept.The aim of the trial is to assess our readiness in terms of data;we also have an important requirement for the tool to improve Alva’s long-term, risk-based investment planning.” George Heywood, technical director,Ovarro said,“We are very excited to beworking with a visionary utility like Alva that can see the potential of our platformacrosswater and non-water assets. PIONEER has the potential to help the company carry out renewals across the asset base,
46 drain TRADER | September 2020 |
www.draintraderltd.com
supporting the coordination of programmes ofworks in power and water together, to minimise the total number of excavations. “Alva is also our first customer to benefit fromthe recently developed PIONEER Express interface, which makes it easier for non-specialists to use PIONEER’s powerful planning capability.We
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