AquaFed is working on a wide range of issues for our members. Below is a list of some of the examples of current work.

 

If you want to know more about any of these and/or to collaborate with us, please send us an email at: info@aquafed.org

 

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Letter to EU environment ministers urges action on the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive

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A joint letter from AquaFed, Water Europe and the European Water Association was sent to EU environment ministers, urging fast-track transposition of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive into EU law.

 

See the letter

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COP29 - WATER FOR CLIMATE PAVILION

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AquaFed is one of the partners supporting SIWI to organize the water pavilion events at COP29 in Azerbaijan (11-24 November, 2024). We are working with partners to organize programs under these themes:

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• Watering the NDCs and NAPs
   

From our perspective as urban utility operators, we are supporting efforts to have the water resilience needs and the potential for utilities to mitigate climate change in cities, included in NDCs and NAPs.

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• Urban Water Resilience
   

AquaFed members’ technical solutions and experience of strengthening urban water resilience are essential contributions to this work.

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• Systems Approaches
   

Working with UNESCO and other partners, this workstream focuses on the governance of climate change policy-making and action. This work also focuses specifically on the role of data and AI to inform climate-resilient water management.

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Like the other partners, we see COP29 as a key milestone on the way to having all aspects of water fully recognized and understood as huge challenges for climate change mitigation and adaptation but also water’s many solutions.

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For our members, our work on developing the water aspects of COP29 programming means they can:

• Leverage their extensive knowledge and expertise

• Network and collaborate with key partners

• Jointly inform and influence decision-makers on climate change solutions.

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Timeline

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• Aug-Sept 2024: Initial consultation with partners

• Oct 2024: Finalize programs for pavilion days, with speakers, content and future activities.

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REGULATION AND GOVERNANCE

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AquaFed is currently producing a set of briefing notes with examples of national legal and regulatory frameworks from across the world that private water operators work under. The briefing notes are for national governments and PPP Units, to explain the potential ways in which private operators and private organizations can be organized and managed.

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The briefing notes will include a mapping of national systems which will include: relevant legislation, how utilities are regulated, powers of the state and regulators.  We aim to have at least two countries’ systems mapped from each continent.

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As well as being shared with governments that are considering water and wastewater PPPs, we will be submitting these documents as our contribution to the Call to Action to Strengthen Water and Sanitation Regulatory systems – organized by IWA, WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, World Bank, ADERASA, ESAWAS, and LIS-Water Portugal.

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Timeline

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• Sep-Nov 2024: Production of briefing notes

• Dec 2024: Submission of selected briefing notes to the Call to Action

• Jan 2025: Beginning of communication and engagement using the briefing notes.

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UTILITY WORKFORCE​

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Gender equality

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AquaFed’s members are all determined to provide gender equality in their workplaces and also in the way services are delivered. We have a lot of experience and success in ensuring equal opportunities for men, women and all gender identities. AquaFed itself continues to hold events and webinars to promote good practice on these areas. We also provide women working in utilities opportunities to network and learn from each other.

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Stronger Together Coalition

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One of the many ways we work is through the Stronger Together Coalition – a partnership which includes international women’s networks, governments and other sector partners.  We are currently developing a series of events and programs that will be in-depth examination of challenges and implementable solutions to improve recruitment and retention of women in utilities.

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Timeline

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• Oct-Dec 2024: Planning and development

• January 2025: Roll-out of webinars and events.

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UN World Water Development Report 2026 – Women and Gender​​​​​

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We are part of a group of organizations within the UN Water group which has already begun work to produce this report, which will be published in March 2026.  UN World Water Development Reports are produced annually on different subjects and are used as key references by national governments.

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Our aim will be to ensure the document is positive about women, the roles they have in all aspects  of water and sanitation services and their successes. We will be coordinating examples from our members and private sector organizations which have shown innovation and creativity in the way they provide services to women and other genders.

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Timeline

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• Sept-Oct 2024: Consultation on document structure and chapters

• Oct-Dec 2024 : Collection of examples and case studies from AquaFed members and partners to be proposed for inclusion in the report

• Jan-March 2025: Writing submissions for potential inclusion in the report

• April-May 2025: Initial review of all submissions

• June-Dec 2025: Document is edited and finalized

• March 2026: Publication of report on World Water Day.

 

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OTHER POTENTIAL PROGRAMS

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We are currently considering work in two areas:

• Use of AI in utility operations

• Nature Based Solutions for utilities (with The Nature Conservancy and Forest Trends)

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