Dakar’s urban population is exploding with an annual growth rate of 2.5% and urbanisation rate of 97.2%. ONAS, the National Sewerage Company, is improving faecal sludge management (FSM) services in urban and peri-urban areas.

Águas do Porto, the utility responsible for urban water cycle management, has taken several measures to deal with ecosystem decline and prevent pollution, following the principles of River Basin Management Plans under the Water Framework Directive.

HOFOR, the Utility of Greater Copenhagen, provides drinking water, wastewater services, heating and cooling, and erects wind turbines throughout the country to promote CO2-neutral energy. Its CEO, Lars Therkildsen, explains not only the efficiencies gained through this approach but also the optimal results achieved through HOFOR’s mitigation and adaptation measures.

Katerina Schilling tells her story and professional development enabled by IWA. The water sector needs to attract and inspire professionals to choose to work and stay in the water sector. The water-related Sustainable Development Goals and targets will require a water sector workforce that is adequate in numbers and competencies.