by Ref Ricerche

Climate change, energy efficiency, material and energy recovery, water reuse, and environmental performance: these are the challenges facing the integrated water service in the process toward the energy transition, in support of the circular economy, and for a conscious use of the water resource. Central to this path are the European and national policies that are going to codify the trajectories of the next decade.
The conference aims to call institutions and representatives of water companies to discuss the near future of the integrated water service.

by BFWE

Drought is a problem that extends to ever-widening areas and amplifies the risk of entire populations' failure to access water resources. The solution also comes through the use of technological solutions that enable water desalination. The use of renewable energies-solar, wind, and wave energy-to power desalination plants also enables energy costs to be reduced while ensuring environmental sustainability. What are the policy strategies on the issue, what are the national and international "best practices," and what are the results?

by Smart Metering Group (SMG) ANIE CSI

The energy transition and the water crisis now endemic in our country have made the fragilities of our systems and strategic infrastructures even more evident, highlighting the urgency of consolidating the prospect of modernizing our networks as soon as possible. The development of public utility networks is realized through a logic of progressive digitalization applied to technological infrastructures (distribution networks), management models as well as measurement technologies. In this perspective of progressive digitization, which unites the water network as well as the electricity and gas networks, the workshop will be an opportunity to take stock of digital metering technologies, which stand as the cornerstone of the digital transition itself and a tool to support end users, both professional and domestic, in the responsible monitoring of consumption and losses.

Exhibitor's Workshop by HERA SpA and Herambiente Servizi Industriali

The founding principle of the circular economy is the reduction of the use of primary resources through recovery, regeneration and reuse of resources and materials. In concrete terms, therefore, it is necessary to transform the current model of economy, linear or take - make - dispose, into a circular model, reduce - reuse - restore - recycle, through targeted actions of design (ecodesign) and recovery of resources in the product life cycle. Introducing the concept of water transition therefore means going beyond the take - make - dispose concept in the use of the "water resource" by adopting a holistic approach in the supply chain. In this context, Water Service Managers are no longer just the legal entities that have to capture, treat and distribute drinking water or collect and treat wastewater, but can become an enabling factor for the sustainable management of the water resource. In order to do so, it is strategic to adopt a multi-level approach, i.e. to activate projects and initiatives of circular economy, water saving, reuse and recovery capable of increasing efficiency along the entire supply chain. Consistent with the multi-level intervention approach, as well as a catalyst for the initiatives, is the desire to involve all 'stakeholders' in the water transition, because promoting sustainable water management means, in fact, promoting the sustainable development of the territory by increasing its resilience. This is why the initiatives promoted by the Hera Group intervene on the entire water supply chain, involving all local stakeholders (institutions, citizens, businesses, the agricultural sector) by inverting the paradigm and extending the scope of action.

by BFWE in collaboration with ISTAT

Climate change is not the only enemy of water resources. The impacts of climate change are in fact associated with a weak infrastructure system in many cases. This increases the pressure on water bodies and infrastructures, which are already pressurised by the processes of urbanisation and economic development that have, over the years, had a direct impact on the increase in demand for water and by a not always efficient management and maintenance of the water system. Among the different types of water resource use, the drinking water sector is clearly a special watchdog for monitoring availability and pressures on the resource, given also the direct consequences on the socio-economic system and on the well-being and habits of citizens. For more than twenty years, our country has ranked first among EU countries for water withdrawal for drinking water use in absolute terms; second, in per capita terms, after Greece. The pressure of withdrawals is associated with a persistently critical condition in the infrastructure, with rather high total water losses in distribution and increasingly widespread water rationing measures. What are the climate scenarios that water utilities might face in the coming years? And how are operators preparing? In the meantime, how do we manage emergencies, which from North to South, we are experiencing with increasing frequency and heavier impacts? How can we prevent emergencies from becoming normality? Numerous actions are being taken nationally and internationally to redirect economic growth towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly models. Where are we on the path towards sustainable water services?

by ISLE UTILITIES

The Workshop presents innovative digital solutions and their practical applications that can inspire and support Italian Utilities in the challenge of the digital transformation required by the PNRR M2 C4 L.4.2 - for the reduction of losses in water networks. The Workshop is organised by Isle in collaboration with Schneider Electric, ABB, DHI and NETRIBE.

by IATT

Water Safety Plans (WSPs), introduced by the World Health Organisation in 2004 and made mandatory in Italy in 2017, continue to be the most effective means of ensuring the safety and quality of water supplied for consumption over time. Recently, these plans have been regulated and expired by Directive (EU) 2020/2184 transposed in Italy by Legislative Decree No. 18 of 23/02/2023. In particular, this decree stipulates that water and drinking water managers must, on the basis of the size of drinking water supplies, assess losses on the water network and potential interventions to reduce them with increasing attention. On the basis of these assessments, ARERA, also on the basis of the trend of water losses (macro-indicator "M1" introduced, with the aim of pursuing the European Union principle of water conservation, within the RQTI) will draw up an average national water loss rate, which it will transmit, by January 2026, to the European Commission, which will then, by January 2028, establish a threshold whose exceeding will entail the adoption of an action plan containing a series of measures to be implemented to reduce the loss rate. The conference promoted by IATT intends to highlight the role that NO DIG technologies play in reducing water losses from aqueduct networks, in line with the objectives pursued by the Water Security Plans, in a country that is now also subject to serious drought-related critical situations, thanks to the now undeniable advantages in terms of speed of execution and socio-energy-environmental savings.

by ISLE UTILITIES

The Conference presents international experiences, innovations and initiatives that could inspire and support Italian Water Utilities in the challenge of digital transformation required by National Recovery and Resilience Plan - PNRR M2 C4 L.4.2 – for reduction of water losses in distribution systems. 
The Conference is held by national and international speakers with proven experience with the purpose of fostering collaboration between stakeholder, knowledge sharing and innovations adoption to improve efficiency in water distribution systems.

Service of simultaneous translation from Italian to English and from English to Italian is included for all speeches.

by BFWE in collaboration with ISTAT

The revision of Directive 91/271/EEC (Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, UWWTD) represents an opportunity to exploit, in conjunction with the pursuit of the objective of environmental protection and public health protection, the full potential inherent in wastewater both as a recoverable material (non-conventional water resource but also nutrients and other materials) and as a source of renewable energy. The proposed directive sets ambitious targets, the attainment of which requires major infrastructure investments, as well as a necessary overhaul of wastewater collection and treatment management systems. This will have an impact on a sector framework characterised, on a national basis, by a high degree of inhomogeneity and the presence of situations of non-compliance with the UWWTD. In this regard, Italy has already been involved in four EU infringement proceedings and three convictions by the European Court of Justice for non-compliance with this Directive.

by APCE

The event will develop following two parallel strands with the aim of describing the possibilities of optimising asset conservation systems from the technical point of view and from that of financing mechanisms. Together with APCE members who will bring to the participants' attention virtuous cases of the application of current technologies for infrastructure protection and line leakage prevention, experts from the world of financing consultancy will take turns on stage to help untangle the calls and opportunities beyond the horizons outlined by the NRRP.

Exhibitors Workshop by T.I.S. SERVICE

T.I.S. SERVICE, a company specialising in the production of equipment dedicated to pressure management in water network services, launches FR LINE: an innovative solution to meet the needs of aqueducts that have never been met before. A system born from the experience gained over the years in the field and in-depth study of the sector's needs. FR introduces a novelty in the world of water: the possibility of recovering the charge dispersed during the reduction of pressure to transform it into electrical energy, a true revolution since at the same time the equipment can always guarantee the continuity of supply to users in both flow and pressure.

Exhibitor's Workshop organized by T.A.E. Trentina Applicazioni Elettroniche

The grouping composed of T.A.E. srl and Hydroskop srl (companies specialised in the supply of leak detection services and instruments) and Simeone Spa (a company specialised in civil works) together with the Swiss-German product supplier Gutermann, a world leader in advanced leak detection technologies, has been awarded a contract worth almost 15 million euro called by Acquedotto Pugliese spa for the supply, design and installation of an automatic NB-IOT leak detection and monitoring system throughout the Pugliese territory. The Workshop will present in detail the features of the system.

More information in the attached document.

by BFWE in collaboration with ISTAT

About 10 per cent of the water withdrawn in our country is used in manufacturing production processes. These uses are closely linked to the infrastructure and availability of water in the territory as well as the type of production activity. With a view to environmental sustainability, especially in terms of consumption of natural resources, and cost reduction, companies are increasingly sensitive to innovating and investing in the development of new technologies and management practices aimed at reducing water withdrawals.

by FNCF Federazione Nazionale degli Ordini dei Chimici e dei Fisci (Italian Federation of Orders of Chemists and Physicists)

Legislative Decree No. 18 of February 23, 2023, implementing Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 16, 2020, on the quality of water intended for human consumption, recently published in the Italian Official Gazette (OJ No. 55 of 6-3-2023), which came into force on March 21, 2023, defines the management methods for drinking water, with different application times for the different requirements defined in the articles and repeals Legislative Decree 31/2001 and becomes, in fact, the reference legislation on the quality of water intended for human consumption. There are numerous innovations it brings, and many arise from the fact that the objective of the legislation no longer concerns only the protection of human health from undesirable effects caused by substandard water, but has been supplemented by environmental issues. In the Objectives of the decree, described in Art. 1, in addition to the protection of human health achieved by ensuring that water is healthy and clean, the improvement of access to water for human consumption is also mentioned. This is therefore a far-reaching goal that takes into consideration access to a primary good and public utility. The new legislation on this aspect introduces a risk-based approach to water security, aimed at ensuring both sanitation and universal and equitable access to it, thus including risks related to climate change and protection of water systems.
In addition, the minimum requirements for being able to define water fit for human consumption (now set out in Annex I, Parts A, B and D) have been revised, as several chemical contaminants have been added and some of the reference values have been modified. The Decree also gives guidance regarding minimum hygiene requirements for materials, chemical reagents, and active and passive filter materials that come into contact with drinking water. Therefore, chemists and physicists result and will result more and more important subjects and professional interlocutors for the application of the standard and management of the integrated water service; these aspects will be addressed and examined in this conference.

by Centro Studi Enti Locali

What is the scenario after 2026 for network services? And how much private and public must cooperate to achieve the goals set by the NRP? Legislative Decree 201/22 requires all operators to reconcile the private component of local public service operators with the interests of users and citizens. The private operator is asked to act according to parameters, rules, sensibilities, and objectives, typical of the "public service". On the other hand, the Local Authority that owns the service and entrusts its management to a private third party must be a guardian, not only of legality and legitimacy, but also economic convenience and supervision and control. The Decree's innovations fit into a context of environmental crisis where we will increasingly have to be able to combine efficiency, sustainability and quality of services. The aim of the meeting is to explain funding opportunities, strategies for managing funding and developing water sector projects, as well as operational modalities for the private and public sectors in coping with a mutual collaboration pact. During the event, the results of the research "PNRR and other water sector funding: opportunities and resource allocation" by the Econometric Service of Centro Studi Enti Locali will be presented.

by BFWE

by Centro Inox - Italian Association for the Development of Stainless Steel

The meeting will present experimental applications of new stainless steel components conducted in Italy by some major integrated water system operators, aimed at reducing leakage.

Centro Inox will be present at the fair at stand C111 - Hall 25

Exhibitor's Workshop by Philip Morris Manufacturing & Technology Bologna

The workshop aims to be an opportunity to stimulate a high-level reflection in the presence of some of the most important players in the institutional and industrial world on the theme of sustainability, in particular related to the use of water, favouring a discussion on the opportunities that the sharing of corporate best practices can create to improve environmental impacts. The 2023 edition of Accadueo coincides with an important anniversary for Philip Morris, which this year celebrates sixty years of presence in Italy, years during which its commitment in the country has always grown to the point of activating an integrated supply chain that today involves more than 40,000 people. A supply chain that sees environmental sustainability, and the correct use of water resources in particular, among its priorities, as demonstrated both by the Alliance for Water Stewardship certification obtained by the Crespellano plant in 2019, and renewed reaching Gold level in 2021, and by the good agricultural practices included in the agreement renewed last March between Philip Morris and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.