State Minister Shri Geogrge Inaugurated the Largest International Conference on ‘Water Loss’
Bangalore, February 01, 2016: The 8th edition of the International Water Loss summit 2016 was inauguratedby the Hon’ble. State Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning, Shri K J George today at Lalit Ashok. The event organized by International Water Association (IWA) along with the Indian Water WorksAssociation (IWWA) and MM Activ Sci Tech Communications was supported by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB). The conference was aimed at sensitizing people on the importance of water conservation through proactive policies, technologies and sustainment.
A milestone event saw Bangalore being the first South Asian city to host the largest water loss conference in the world. The event saw a wide participation of international and national delegates who came together to give India and the world a blueprint of proper tools on water conservation. Shri. Vijay Bhaskar-Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Urban Development and Chairman BWSSB, Mr. Ger Bergkamp-Executive Director of International Water Association and Dr. H.C. Langde-President Indian Water Works Association, Dr. M.A. Chitale- Secretary General Hon. ICID & Stockholm Water Prize Winner, were few of the key envoys.
Water Loss 2016, a critical meeting of water professionals, regulators and policy makers has been designed to address the challenges to help business and water utilities tackle water loss. The conference witnessed participation of over 100 International Speakers, 600+ delegates from over 45 countries and over 40 companies showcasing their technology in the exhibition.
Speaking at the occasion, State Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning, Shri K J George said, “The Government of Karnataka is committed to this extremely important cause of saving and replenishing water and will give all the help required for this great initiative. I am extremely happy that the Bangalore is the first city in India to host the 8th edition of the Water loss Conference. The state of Karnataka is committed to bringing down the water loss and we aim at bringing down the water loss to 30% from the current level of 36%.”
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Ger Bergkamp-Executive Director of International Water Association said, “The future of many countries including India depend on how we treat water and sustain it for the decades to come. IWA, being the largest organization of water professionals across the world, we are extremely passionate about water and work towards reducing water loss, recycling and replenishing water resources.”
“We cannot continue to treat water the way we have in the past and unsafe water and intermittent supply cannot be a part of our future. Efforts are now made to conserve water, minimize water loss and we want to inspire change, share knowledge and experiences, and take on the different challenges related to this cause.”
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. M.A. Chitale, Honourable Secretary General, ICID; Shri T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, IAS, Additional Secretary to Government, Urban Development and Chairman, BWSSB, Government of Karnataka & Prof. Zoran Kapelan, Water Systems Engineering, University of Exeter.
The event also witnessed the introduction of the ‘Dreampipe Challenge’, a major UK government-funded innovation prize, by Mr. Chris Shugart, Prize Manager. Funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and managed by IMC Worldwide, the prize is aimed at innovation to stem the amount of water lost in developing countries through leakage, meter inaccuracies and unauthorized use.
The winners of the contest will be awarded with 5 prizes of GBP 10,000 each in its first stage, followed by 3 prizes of average GBP 400, 000 each in the second stage. The participants are expected to come up with innovative concepts of financing mechanism that can enable water utility companies in developing countries or their service providers to undertake the investments needed for the companies for their non-revenue water reduction program.
International Water Association (IWA):
International Water Association (IWA) is an International network of water professionals from over 130 countries that brings together science and practice of water management in order to realize a world where water is wisely managed ensuring a sustainable ecosystem. The IWA is a global knowledge hub and international network for water professionals and anyone concerned about the future of water
Indian Water Works Association (IWWA):
Founded in 1968, headquartered in Mumbai, the Indian Water Works Association (IWWA) is an authoritative forum of professionals concerned & connected with water supply for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses and treatment & disposal of waste water. IWWA focusses basically on the entire water cycle encompassing the environmental, social, institutional and financial issues. It has 32 centers spread across the country and is very active in conducting different activities in the areas of water supply and waste water treatment.
MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications:
MM Activ is an integrated B2B Knowledge Media Organization in the field of Science & Technology, with a global perspective. MM Activ has been engaged in the field of Frontier Science & Technology through its key business verticals of Media, Events, Partnering and Advisory. They also are the publishers of Leading Business Magazines -BioSpectrum (India & Asia) and & NuFFooDS Spectrum. MM Activ has created Knowledge & Business Platforms in sectors like Agrotech & Commodities, Coffee Export & Equipment’s, MRO, Biotechnology, IT & Electronics, Nutraceuticals, Nanotechnology, Renewable Energy, Space Technology and R&D & Higher Education.
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