Policy pressures, innovation pressures and public pressures are three of today’s most challenging issues facing 110 of the world’s water leaders from more than 20 countries, according to a white paper released on findings from a workshop at Singapore International Water Week (SIWW).
Organized in partnership with Black & Veatch as part of the SIWW Water Leaders Summit, 12 internationally renowned chairpersons led delegates through a total of about 25 rapid-fire conversations focused on these three types of pressures that the water sector is grappling with today.
They reported that delegates are adapting to the three water pressures in a changing urban environment by encouraging an innovation-friendly urban environment, working collaboratively within broad frameworks, engaging multiple stakeholders in setting policy, pricing water to reflect its true value, using pressure to drive necessary change, walking the talk as leaders and communicating clear messages about intertwined water issues.
The workshop white paper noted several common themes that emerged during the conversations because of the interrelated nature of policy, innovation and public pressures.
In all three pressure groups, pricing water to reflect its true value was considered a key cornerstone for success. Making sure that the full costs of water service are transparent to the public will help them be more accepting of rate increases for sound infrastructure investments.
Source: Black & Veatch
