my name is Michal Tamáš, I am 17 years old and I live in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. I am interested in water – related problems and my “specialization” is water pollution in Europe. I am also interested in the price and waste of the water. In 2009 I attend a national round of  Stockholm Junior Water Prize where I achieved second place. I passed through different competition and my main aim is to spread water issues between young people in Slovakia.

It is well – known that water is getting more expensive and in a few years it could become an strategical raw material, because of the pollution and lack of water in some parts of the world. However, we can do something with this issue. My motto sounds  “Water is life, protect it!”.

First of all, I would like to thank to my tutor Mikuláš Bartal for his priceles time and energy. He gives me inspiration and an  …

I also believe that the involvement of young people is an essential aspect of a good and useful discussion: because solving water-related problems will be one of tomorrow’s top priorities, it will be one of our main responsibilities.

Together with Marieke Droogsma I have designed the AquaLibra, a water barrier that functions fully automatically . In 2009 we won the Dutch preliminary competition for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. We attended the World Water Week in Stockholm, where we learnt a lot about water problems and about the way experts think such challenges have to be adressed.

I will briefly explain the principle of the AquaLibra. This short  …

I also believe that the involvement of young people is an essential aspect of a good and useful discussion: because solving water-related problems will be one of tomorrow’s top priorities, it will be one of our main responsibilities.

Together with Marieke Droogsma I have designed the AquaLibra, a water barrier that functions fully automatically . In 2009 we won the Dutch preliminary competition for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. We attended the World Water Week in Stockholm, where we learnt a lot about water problems and about the way experts think such challenges have to be adressed.

I will briefly explain the principle of the AquaLibra. This short  …

As water is key for our existence – no water no life, no business, no biodiversity, education on water  is essential for our existence. It’s a key for growth – growth on the personal level – receiving education on water will lead to becoming a  responsible environmental steward  understanding the interlinkeages, the interactions,  the planning and management of natural resources and ecosystems with communities. It means also social growth – by avoiding exclusion, marginalization and poverty a more equal society with equal  …

Registration for this event will be open till the end of this week, and limited places are still available. Please download the registration form here, or  follow this link for more information.

The Aquawareness Policy Forum is part of the EU Sustainable Energy Week.

Aquawareness Policy Forum

„Water 2030 – who cares?“

Monday, 22nd March 2010, Brussels

Based on a strategic policy review process, which identifies the major obstacles and weaknesses as well as key actions necessary to implement the aims of the Water Vision for Europe by 2030, a policy forum taking place on the World Water Day (22 March) in Brussels will suggest, discuss and refine concrete policy recommendations to the new European decision makers – the members of the European Parliament, European Commission and the Council Presidency, which could serve as a new blue deal for Europe’s water agenda.

The Policy Forum will be followed by a reception.

A detailed programme and logistical information will be made available on this website in the coming days. If you want to be kept up to date on the developments and receive the invitation and agenda when it is finalised, please send an email to Ms. Agnes Biesiekierska: a.biesiekierska@ewp.eu.

One of the most important challenges Europe will face in the 21st Century are its water challenges, which threaten its sustainable development and economic growth and have a large effect on health issues around the continent. Europe has most instruments in place to address the challenges, but their effective implementation is lacking. This fact also clearly holds true for the implementation of new and innovative technologies.

Acknowledgement in Europe is growing that new technologies will have a fundamental role to play in addressing the water challenges. Within Europe a large amount of innovative technologies are developed, but they face difficulties to actually reach the market. This is the gap INNOWATER will address, by establishing and  …

I show the video with this post. Read more to see the Video.

What do you think about it?

Thanks, Michal.

Chaired by MEP Dr. Richard Seeber, EPP Group coordinator in the Committee on Environment and facilitated by Eureau, the European Federation and drinking water and waste water operators, the European Parliament hosted yesterday the first meeting of the newly created parliamentary intergroup on Water. 

“Our new Intergroup is thus following an encompassing approach. The adaptation to climate change, risks of both flooding and water scarcity will be on the agenda as well as the influence of product design and different production processes. We will deal with the security of infrastructures, the necessity of ensuring technological leadership by the European water industry and the relationship of water, health and biodiversity“, announced Richard Seeber. 

The keynotes of Peter Gammeltoft, Head of Water Unit, and Claude Rouam, Head of Marine Unit, both from the Commission’s DG Environment, opened the discussions with a broad range of stakeholders attending this meeting on the challenges for the European water sector.

 The Intergroup is planned to meet every month.

One of the alternative sources of phosphorus is wastewater, and innovative technologies to win phosphorus from water have been developed in recent years. So far, they were not economically efficient yet. Due to rising demand, the prize of phosphorus will rise quickly however which, combined with further technological development will make these technologies economically attractive in the near future.

European legislation could be an economic driver in this new area and the development of the technologies needed to ensure we will be able to continue using phosphorus in its many uses. The seminar will focus on raising awareness of the challenge on  …

Save Energy, Save Water, Save the Planet is a three-day international eco conference and exhibition, showcasing the latest technologies and developments in the area of Energy Efficiency, Water & Waste management and recycling. It premieres 3 – 5 June 2010 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The event is a reaction to the increasing local market opportunities, priorities defined by the new Bulgarian government, and specific trends in the highly innovative environmental industries. Via Expo as an organizer of 6 consecutive editions of the Energy Efficiency & RES platform for South East Europe decided to further develop these topics into a global theme on climate change and environment.

The new eco event aims at increasing green investments on Bulgarian market and promoting EU good practices. The Conference objectives are exchange of knowledge and networking of high-level international speakers and policy/decision makers from  …

Active, flexible candidates with an interest in water issues are invited to send a motivation letter and CV to the EWP explaining how their skills and experiences would contribute to the work of the EWP. As an intern, you will be part of the EWP team in Brussels in a highly motivating, international working environment in the heart of Europe.

The major strands of activities will be to support the Project Manager within the Aquawareness Program.

The Aquawareness initiative was setup by the European Water Partnership (EWP) in 2008 to raise awareness on the current water challenges among all actors (governments, NGOs, businesses and citizens) and to support the development and implementation of sustainable water management. It consists of two main programmes: the European Water Awareness and the Water Stewardship Program. This internship will be focused on the Water Awareness Program.

The European Water Awareness Programme  …

Due to the high motivation and pro-active engagement of the project participants, this Stewardship initiative quickly found its recognition within the European water sector and within the global Water Stewardship process where it represents the “Regional Water Stewardship Initiative for Europe”.

This event will also facilitate a better understanding of the role and functioning of EU Institutions and the daily life of European representatives. Local initiatives and established national water parliaments will be supported by giving high visibility on the Brussels level for  …

Within this Awareness Program, several ideas can stem towards Youth Summit.

In 2010, ADAST therefore offers again to support a number of French students who are looking for a work placement abroad. These students are two years postgraduate students who all have had a work placement of ten or more weeks in France and are qualified to execute activities in management, communication, advice, development of studies and techniques or quality-insurance.

If your company would be interested in hosting a French student in a six-month work placement, we would like to ask you to send an email to Harro Riedstra (h.riedstra@ewp.eu). As the skills and competences of the students vary, this email would serve to show your principal  …

The 2009 Environment Award, in the category of environmental management of large companies, has been created with the purpose of promoting respect towards the environment in all economical sectors, and to acknowledge the efforts undertaken to improve environmental behaviour.

The Community of Madrid, in collaboration with the Madrid Commerce and Industry Chamber and the CEIM (Madrid Confederation of Employers and Industries), acknowledges the work carried out by Holmen Paper in the environmental engineering field, with especial recognition of the project aimed at replacing the drinking water in the process with 100% recycled water. This award, in the category of environmental management of large companies, has been created with the purpose of promoting environmental respect in all economical sectors and to acknowledge the efforts undertaken in the improvement of environmental behaviour.

Solutions for a scarce natural resource, water.

In 2005 Holmen Paper  …

13th -16th June 2010, Oviedo (Spain).

From the 13^th-16^th of June 2010, the seventh Anque International Congress will take place in Oviedo, Spain, titled: Integral Water Cycle: Present and Future “A Shared Commitment”. The Forum will take place jointly with the mid-term conference of the Aquafit4Use Project.

This Anque Internationa congress will offer a forum for discussion and exchange of information between enterprises, administration and public institutions, research centers and universities in which the latest scientific and technological advances related to the sustainable management of water resources in the integral water cycle will be presented.

All the relevant information about the congress can be found at the web www.anque2010.org.

Plenary lectures will include:

• “Virtual water”. John Anthony Allan. 2008 Stockholm Water Prize, UK.
• “Paradigm shift in urban water management”. Peter A. Wilderer. 2003 Stockholm Water Prize, Germany.
• “Sonochemical process for the treatment of impaired water”. Chin-Pao Huang. 2008 Francis Alison Award, USA.
• “The future of water: the European perspective”. Tom Vereijken, Chairman of the European Water Partnership, Belgium.

Aquafit4Use –  …

(Full-time position)

You have innovative communication and presentation skills, a demonstrable interest in water issues and would like to be part of an international highly motivating team in Brussels?

The EWP is currently looking for a Communications Manager to assist the Partnership in providing professional visibility to the numerous activities planned for 2010. Active, flexible and outgoing candidates are invited to send their application letter and CV to the EWP explaining how their skills and experiences would contribute to the work of the EWP.

To read the full add. please click here.

INNOWATER, an innovation partnership to promote better innovation support tools and delivery mechanisms in sustainable water and wastewater, will start its activities on February 1^st 2010 in The Netherlands, Denmark, Cyprus, Spain and the UK.

One of the most important challenges Europe will face in the 21^st Century are its water challenges, which threaten its sustainable development and economic growth and have a large effect on health issues around the continent. Europe has most instruments in place to address the challenges, but their effective implementation is lacking. This fact also clearly holds true for the implementation of new and innovative technologies.

Acknowledgement in Europe is growing that new technologies will have a fundamental role to play in addressing the water challenges. Within Europe a large amount of innovative technologies are developed, but they face difficulties to actually reach the market. This is the gap INNOWATER will address,  …