Biography

Pierre Giacasso

Distinguished Departed Pioneer

Professional background

Pierre Giacasso (1940 – 2010) grew up in Geneva. He attended ETH Zurich with Professor Grassmann, obtaining a degree in process engineering.

After finishing ETH, he spent the next 15 years working in the chemical industry for Hoffmann-La Roche in Basel.  Thereafter, he joined the Services Industriels de Genève (SIG) where he became Director of the Water Department in 1983. With his huge and practical experience, his taste for challenges, his keen intelligence, his Cartesian and structured mind, he was the ideal man to tackle the task SIG had entrusted him with – namely to implement the renovation of the canton’s drinking water system.  The urgency of this mission followed from the 1976 drought which led to restrictions on water consumption.

Pierre Giacasso was appointed to the Committee of the Swiss Gas and Water Industries Society (SGWIS) at the 1983 General Assembly from which he rose to its President from 1992 to 1995. His commitment went far beyond the borders of Switzerland. His linguistic and professional skills made him a valuable ambassador for the Swiss water industry in neighbouring countries and in international organizations.

Major Contributions to IWA

For many years, he was a member of the International Water Supply Association (IWSA), where he served as President from 1995 to 1997. He was deeply committed to the integration of the water supply and wastewater sectors and the transformation of the IWSA into the new International Water Association (IWA) in 1999.

Pierre will be remembered as one of both a popular and influential force in water, both in Europe and Switzerland, at a critical time in IWA’s emergence.

Authors: Gerard Luyet and Paul D Reiter

Contributors: Danish Water Forum