Shaping the world’s future water sector

Why does the world need better knowledge about water management?

Clean water is already a scarce resource, and with rising populations and economies, the issue is only increasing. Worldwide, about 35-40% of our available clean drinking water is lost somewhere in distribution, before it reaches the end-consumer.

30-50% of a municipality’s energy consumption is used for water and wastewater handling. On a global scale, this sector accounts for 8% of the total energy consumption.

But what if wastewater is seen as a resource instead of a problem?

Based upon this mindset, the course content is based on a holistic view of water infrastructure throughout society including the energy circle and how to efficiently use our available resources; cleaned water should be put back into the ground by establishing constructed wetlands, and the necessary energy should be produced by the wastewater treatment plant itself.

Halfway through the course, the programme is divided into three thematic tracks of groundwater resource management, water distribution, and wastewater handling. For the final exam, the participants are divided into groups based on their chosen track but will have to work together to make sure that all chains in the water circle are considered.

Participation from around the world

Again, this year, the course was fully booked and included 45 participants from 14 different nationalities. To enlighten them, no less than 49 teachers shared knowledge from their area of expertise. 

Among this year’s participants, 23 are DanidaFellows – young water professionals from the private and public sectors, ministries, and water organisations in seven countries that collaborate with Denmark under the Strategic Sector Cooperation programme (Ghana, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and Morocco). 

The course is a great opportunity for them to get updated on water technology, and their new knowledge can be a supportive element in the local development projects moving forward.

Prince, one of the participants joining as a DanidaFellows, shares:

“We want to say thank you for hosting us, thank you for the support, both financially and for the technical knowledge that you’ve been giving to us. We truly, truly appreciate it. Thank you to all the companies involved!”

Designing the future water system

Besides classroom learning, exams and social events, the students have been on eight company and utility visits.

At the visit hosted by Water Valley Denmark, the students were challenged to design a ‘Future Water System’. They had to choose one of four major water crises and then design and propose solutions for them. Interesting new ideas and solutions were presented. 

Michael Ramlau-Hansen from AVK was present to guide the students in their teamwork, and shares:

“It was fantastic to experience the massive amount of creativity for a fail-safe future water system. One of the prerequisites was to implement a technique, which is not known today. This made me think of the fact, that what we considered not possible 20 years ago, we take for granted today. And the same will happen again. What seems impossible today will probably be normal practice in 20 years from now. Thanks to all the students for creative ideas!”

Valves are critical in sustainable water management

One of the key components in a sustainable water network is valves that are reliable, efficient and of high quality, to avoid the hassle of cutting off vital processes to switch out products or perform maintenance. 

As valve specialists, the participants should of course stop by our facilities and have a closer look at our product range.

At the visit, Michael Ramlau-Hansen from AVK Holding introduced the students to valves in general, the purpose of valves and how we make a difference in the world. Next, it was time for (valves) treasure hunting in the showroom at AVK International, and the students joined with great excitement. 

Afterwards, Aarhus Vand A/S and NIRAS inspired the students with presentations about different water reuse projects. Filled up with inspiration, the day ended with the students using their imagination to come up with their own ideas for water reuse.

International collaboration and knowledge-sharing 

The world’s water challenges are global and will require international collaboration and knowledge-sharing. 

The AWCMC plays a small, but crucial part in disseminating knowledge of technologies and know-how that can enable a more sustainable future for water.

The diversity in nationalities and perspectives on the water sector adds to the value of the course. 

Three of this year’s students share:

“Many of the challenges facing the water sector are similar in our two countries, and it is valuable to my work back home to see how Danish technologies can be applied, getting a feel for how they work in practice.”

– Gonzalo, water professional from Bogota in Colombia.

“‘The course provides a sense of the interconnectedness of the different areas, from geology to hydrology.”

– Emma, student from Aarhus University.

“Learning how Denmark uses smart technologies in your water sector is incredibly inspiring.”

– Anand, water professional from Tamil Nadu, India.

The water summer school is a partnership between Aarhus University, GRUNDFOS, Kamstrup, WATEC Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology, I•GIS A/S, Aarhus Vand A/S, DHI, Clean, Danida Fellowship Centre, NIRAS, Water Valley Denmark and AVK Holding A/S.

All of these take part in the intensive, two-week tuition, contributing with their particular area of expertise.