Applying Circular Economy in Water Supply and Wastewater Management

Water systems and utilities under the circular economy model ensure that the value and usefulness of resources are preserved for a long time.

In this knowledge sharing session, Claudio de Jesus of Águas de Portugal discussed the opportunity for water utilities to shift from a conventional operational model to one that supports the circular economy, maximizing the use and value of water and conserving both natural and financial capital.

Online Workshop on Decarbonizing Sanitation for Sustainable Development

Greater flooding, droughts, and sea level rise due to climate change is increasingly affecting wastewater management and water availability. At the same time, sanitation practices such as wastewater treatment are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. These dynamics make greater sanitation development in Asia and the Pacific essential for advancing decarbonization and tackling climate change.

Roshan Shrestha

Dr. Roshan Shrestha is the Deputy Director, Global Growth and Opportunity Division, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WSH) team of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He also led the Urban Sanitation Market Initiative of the WSH that deals with scaling City Wide Inclusive Sanitation and Non-sewered Sanitation globally through demonstration, capacity building, advocacy as well as mobilizing resources from development banks and development partners.

Alan Baird

Mr. Alan Baird is a Principal Urban Development Specialist in the Southeast Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Baird has over 30 years of experience in water supply, wastewater management, drainage, and flood alleviation. He has worked with water service providers in the private and public sectors in project delivery and technical advisory roles. Alan joined ADB in 2010 and currently supports ADB urban and water sector clients in Southeast Asia. Mr. Baird is a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Ladderized Training on Water Operations for ADB Staff

A ladderized training program on water utility operations for ADB staff was developed by the Maynilad Water Academy in partnership with ADB. To ensure a holistic learning experience, the curriculum facilitates not only knowledge building on technical aspects of water utility operations but also provides exposure to water operations facilities. The topics cover water supply, non-revenue water reduction, wastewater management, and operations management.

Bringing Life Back to the Tagus River: The Tagus Estuary Clean-up Project

Due to highly polluting activities, the Tagus Estuary in Lisbon, Portugal, became severely degraded. The Tagus Estuary Clean-up Project was implemented to bring it back to life. It brought together the skills and investments of two wastewater companies and the 19 municipalities surrounding the estuary. This presentation shares the results of this intervention.