HIGHLIGHTS FROM IDA’S DESALINATION CONFERENCE IN SPAIN AND THE BLUETECH FORUM IN CANADA

More than 180 delegates from 29 countries gathered at the 2018 International Desalination Association (IDA) International Water Reuse and Recycling Conference in Valencia, Spain, to discuss water reuse regulation frameworks, financing trends and technology advancements.

The first day of the technical program began with two panel discussions and a plenary session. Moderated by Carlos Cosín, IDA officer and CEO of Almar Water Solutions, the first panel “The Big Debate: Water Reuse Regulations in Europe, USA and Asia” examined regulations that cover the various uses, requirements and advantages in using water reuse technology to meet growing water needs for agriculture, industry and urban uses, as well as aquifer recharge, to offset water needs.

In the second panel, “Pricing Water Security and Enhancing Practical Financing Tools for Reclaimed Wastewater Reuse,” speakers discussed specific approaches to pricing water security through the diversification of water supplies and the tools they use to finance and develop water-reuse infrastructure projects to meet irrigation and urban needs, and other water requirements. Moderators were Dr. Gonzalo Delacámara, senior research fellow and coordinator of water economics at IMDEA Water Research Foundation, and Dr. Eduardo Orteu, head of support unit and responsible for the International Affairs Service at the Spanish Water Directorate.