Evaluating the Forum just a few days after its close is no easy feat, given the over 100 sessions and as many side events held… Before the members of the delegation each begin to focus on their respective field and concrete cases, and use information and exchanges from the Forum to enhance the analysis and approach of their teams, we have asked each of them to indicate the highlights of the Forum.

We have selected six:

1.    Participants spoke much more about resources than services: A sign of the times and of the greater awareness about the impact of global warming on water and the water stress already affecting certain regions of the world. For the first time, the issues at stake for water were approached in the same manner as those of climate and energy, with a particular emphasis put on our "water footprint" – a concept to use with caution. At times, there was a tendency to take an overly "macro" approach to the quantitative issues, and the degree to which the protection of resource quality is analysed remains insufficient, despite the fact that quality is equally important.

  • For information on the state of the resource, see the 3rd report of World Water Assessment Programme: www.unesco.org/water/wwap.
  • An indicator proposed by Plan Bleu (PNUE): "If a country consumes more than 75% of its renewable water resources, it is in difficulty. Certain countries are already above 75% and the proportion will increase between now and 2025 ".

 

2.    The need to better link issues in Water and Energy. In a "water for energy" approach, discussions on energy choices should include factors such as the volumes of water required for withdrawal, refining, setting-up infrastructures and operating them on a daily basis. The water lost in industrial processes and the water required for the use of each energy must be quantified – first-generation biofuels are again on the hot seat. However, we also require "energy for water" – the need to rethink infrastructures and services in order to reduce their energy consumption and emissions.
Biofuels and hydropower form the crucial links in this interdependence, and the debate on the subject remains intense but it is no longer purely ideological.

  • The WWF has taken the following position on hydropower:  "We are committed to sustainable development of hydropower”
  • A quote from Henrik Larsen of the Danish Hydraulic Institute concerns us directly: "The water sector should think more about its energy consumption"
  • A figure quoted by Koichiro Matsuura, UNESCO Director-General: "The cost of adapting water infrastructures to climate change is estimated at $11 billion, 85% of which is in cities in developing countries."

 

3.    Wastewater finally front and centre: The taboos have been broken and participants spoke freely about the "hidden side of water", in particular by tying the issue of toilets to that of human dignity. For the first time, meaningful discussions were held about wastewater collection and treatment infrastructures, crucial to the protection of health and the environment in urban areas, and about the recovery of the organic matter (particularly as green energy). We also noted a strong presence of issue of gender in the discussions on wastewater and the need to better adapt solutions to local geographical and cultural conditions. Lastly, the re-use of treated wastewater still appears to be one of the sustainable solutions (part of the solution) to water stress and usage conflicts.  

 

4.    The concept of participation-consensus is no longer "Nice to have", but is now a "must-have" for the sustainable management of water resources and services:  When confronting issues related to development and the environment, a precise understanding of local needs and the ability to provide services tailored to these needs are two key factors for success. This involves professionalisation, development of information, participation and consensus methods, as well as better coordination of all the stakeholders in the region (in order to coordinate the sustainable development strategies of organisations, for example)

 

5.    A more closely shared vision of the economic issues involved in water:
The consensus on sustainable cost recovery continues to grow. First set forth in Kyoto, this principle is now better understood. It is based on the observation that in emerging countries, the user alone cannot support both the costs of investments and services; local subsidies and international aid are required to finance the investments.

  • A new expression: "the 3 Ts: Tariff, Taxes and Transfers" introduced in the OECD report "Managing Water for All: an OECD Perspective and Pricing and Financing" has improved understanding of "sustainable cost recovery".

The claim to free drinking water as a consequence of the right to water has disappeared – this argument is no longer supported by anyone.

 

6.    and lastly… The financial crisis: risk and/or opportunity for water and wastewater networks?
We must pass on the concerns of the stakeholders in development, who fear a reduction in government aid for development in the months and years to come. It is interesting to note on this topic that "sustainable cost recovery" as described in the OECD report puts forward the "foreseeability of the transfer of aid" as a condition of success. Speakers also emphasised the fact that the crisis has already had an impact on services: improvement works have been pushed back and self-financing ability has decreased, in particular. At the same time, the water community is pinning its hopes on a greater place for water and wastewater infrastructure projects in economic stimulus plans. The goal is to seize this opportunity to reform the water sector and set up a sustainable solution combining better governance procedures, management, operation and environmental protection.

  • A quote from Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the OECD: "Important investments (in infrastructure) must be made during normal times. Today, during an extremely difficult period, yes, there is a risk, but our hopes rest on these extraordinary plans (…) Look at the contents of the Obama plan, look at the contents of the Chinese plan."