Global Water Research Coalition Frans Schulting Washington DC, 5 May 2005

2 Global Water Research Coalition Network organisation of water research organisations Water supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment and water reuse Motto: Global cooperation for the generation of water knowledge

3 GWRC Objectives Exchange of information and knowledge Development of research strategies for global issues Coordination of research efforts Water Knowledge Database Knowledge management on a global level

4 The Benefits Leverage of expertise and funding Prevention of duplication and replication of research Address issues which you can not do on your own Different view angles and approaches!

5 The GWRC Founding Members Awwa RF WERF WRF Anjou Recherche (Veolia) CIRSEE (Suez) TZW EAWAG Kiwa STOWA UK WIR CRC WQT WSAA WRC – SA Coordination of research programs at a (inter) national level Urban water cycle (water supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment) GWRC partners: US Environmental Protection Agency (July 2003) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (July 2005) WHO

6 Way of Working Network Organisation Small staff – large resources Contributions by the members –Funds and resources –Research management –Support: website, brochure, hosting meetings, etc. Governance by Board of Directors

7 Board of Directors

8 Research Approach GWRC research agenda based on members needs Research strategy for priority issues –Review of existing knowledge and activities –Workshop about knowledge gaps and research needs => map of knowledge –Portfolio of research projects Tailor made project teams with one member as lead agent Sharing the results within the GWRC Knowledge transfer to stakeholders by the members

9 Research Agenda Water Quality –Algal toxins –Origin and fate of water-borne pathogens Emerging Hazards –Endocrine Disrupting Compounds –Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Water Quality in Distribution Systems Water Reuse Wastewater Treatment => MBR Asset Management Water Concepts of the Future

10 Asset Management Lead agent: UKWIR Participating members: 8 Background documents –Inventory of Member activities (November – December 2004) –Scoping Study (UKWIR April 2005) Workshop Asset Management (4 & 7 May 2005) –Exchange of Knowledge –Identify knowledge gaps and research needs –Project proposals for joint activities Follow up –Workshop report –Research strategy and priority projects => Board –Development of project teams, links to other organisations

11 GWRC in Practice Effective exchange of knowledge and know-how on priority issues Development of a strong and easy assessable network of experts Joint activities have good leverage of resources and expertise GWRC addresses items you can not do on your own Till now only relative small projects (25 – 500 K euro) Collaboration takes time and development of trust

12 Global Water Research Coalition Sharing the power of knowledge!

13 Global Water Research Coalition