DEWA & Grundfos Host Leadership Roundtable Session During WETEX

Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technologies, recently hosted a leadership roundtable session in partnership with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), with the aim of fostering collaboration among government and private sector stakeholders to advocate for policies that promote sustainable water management in the Middle East region.

Held on the sidelines of WETEX & Dubai Solar Show 2023, the roundtable saw the attendance of 30 VIP guests. The discussion was structured around three key areas of focus under the main theme of ‘Transforming water together’, which included fostering multilateral collaboration, defining actionable policy recommendations, and highlighting innovative solutions and best practices.

With its deserts, hyper-arid climate and salty seas, the Middle East’s natural water supply is scarce. While countries in the Middle East, more so than any other region, rely heavily on technology to guarantee their water supply, the current systems are not completely sustainable, efficient, or equitable. The struggle for water security is bound up in the wider drive for overall economic and environmental sustainability. This makes the management of water resources a chief priority for practically every Middle Eastern nation.

In line with local government initiatives to combat regional water scarcity challenges through innovation and sustainability, the roundtable discussion generated a number of key outcomes that strategically focus on generating the policy changes needed to drive the adoption of water-saving technologies and drought-resistant infrastructure.

In attendance was H.E Eng Yousif Ahmed Al-Ali, CEO of Etihad water & Electricity, Abdul Qadir Malik, International Project Delivery Director Water Research Center (DEWA), Eng. Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO Abu Dhabi Sustainable Water Solutions Company (SWS), HE Eng. Abdullah Ibrahim Al Abdul-Karim, Governor & Deputy Chairman of Saline Water Conservation Cooperation (SWCC), HE Andres Bjorn Hansen of the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai, HE Mr. Patricio Diaz, from the Embassy of Chile (TBC),  Mr. Thomas Altmann, Executive Vice President of ACWA Power, Mr. Hazim Ayoub, General Manager, Toray Membrane Middle East, DMCC branch, Eng. Doreb Ebrahim, CEO & General Manager of EnerTech Middle East FZ LLC, as well as representatives from Dornier Consulting International GmbH, and Sertum Consulting.

Michael Nielsen, Senior Regional Sales Director, Water Utility – IMEA, said: “As a global leader in innovative water solutions, we recognize the pivotal role of the private sector in fostering multilateral collaboration and pioneering innovative technologies. We are proud to have hosted the leadership roundtable in partnership with DEWA, and to have heard from some of the most esteemed individuals in the field regionally, to discuss the future of water sustainability. We have come away from the event with a renewed sense of hope and motivation to work together to spearhead innovative solutions, foster partnerships and advance new policies that drive sustainable water management in the Middle East region.”

In summary, the comprehensive insights gathered from the roundtable discussion resoundingly underscore the imperative for a proactive and visionary approach. This approach not only acknowledges but duly confronts the pressing and intricate challenges posed by water scarcity in the Middle East, and steadfastly advocates for the cultivation of robust multilateral collaborations, emphasizing the importance of fostering cohesive partnerships among diverse stakeholders. These collaborations are instrumental in harnessing collective wisdom, resources, and expertise, thereby fortifying the region’s capacity to navigate the complexities of water resource management.

Additionally, the discourse fervently championed a culture of relentless innovation, recognizing it as the catalyst that propels the industry toward sustainable solutions and resilient frameworks. Together, these focal points serve as the cornerstone of a strategic paradigm aimed at safeguarding and nurturing the invaluable water resources critical to the enduring prosperity and resilience of the Middle East for generations to come.

Tactical next steps and recommendations

The following tactical recommendations from the roundtable discussion aim to harness technology, collaboration, policy, and innovation to enhance water network efficiency, minimize leakages, and ensure sustainable management of water resources.

1. Innovation and Utilization of Modern Technologies: Implement a comprehensive plan to integrate state-of-the-art technologies like SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and IoT (Internet of Things) within water networks. This involves strategizing to deploy sensors and smart devices across the infrastructure to gather real-time data on water flow, quality, and network status. Develop protocols for data analysis and interpretation to enable efficient monitoring and predictive maintenance, allowing for swift responses to potential issues.
2. Incentivizing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) through Performance-Based Contracts: Advocate for the establishment of performance-based contracts that incentivize private sector involvement in water projects. Collaborate with government entities to create tailored agreements that prioritize specific performance benchmarks. This collaboration ensures a shared responsibility for meeting goals, promoting innovation, and maintaining the infrastructure’s operational efficiency over time.
3. Academic Collaborations for Desalination Efficiency: Foster robust partnerships with academic institutions, particularly universities, to drive research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in desalination facilities. Develop joint programs that facilitate knowledge exchange, access to research grants, and collaborative projects focusing on innovative technologies for sustainable desalination methods.
4. Policy Implementation for Construction Stage: Formulate and enforce policies that specifically address construction stage challenges to prevent leakages within water systems. This involves stringent regulations and standards ensuring proper installation techniques, material quality checks, and procedures to mitigate issues like dust contamination during welding and installation, thus minimizing potential leak points.
5. Improved Leak Identification: Invest in advanced leak detection technologies and methodologies. Promote the adoption of cutting-edge leak identification tools and methodologies to swiftly identify and locate leaks within the water network. Develop training programs to ensure operators are adept at utilizing these tools effectively.
6. Advancements in Construction Methods: Encourage research and development in fundamental construction techniques tailored to water infrastructure. Collaborate with engineering and construction industries to innovate methods that reduce vulnerabilities and weak points prone to leaks, integrating durable materials and improved installation practices.

Grundfos, as a frontrunner in the water industry, plays a key role in enabling seamless connectivity, analysis, monitoring, metering, optimization, and operation of water and wastewater assets. The company is focused on addressing water scarcity challenges as well as issues stemming from aging infrastructure, emphasizing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency while preserving resources. Embracing smart water management practices, Grundfos pioneers cutting-edge technologies that harness data and intelligence, fostering a more efficient, responsive, and sustainable approach to water resource management.