Jens Haberkamp has a diploma and PhD in Environmental Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin.
He worked for five years with the consulting engineer’s company p2m berlin in several international wastewater treatment projects focusing on water reuse before being appointed professor for sanitary engineering and water supply at FH Muenster University of Applied Sciences in 2013.
He is spokesman of two working groups on water reuse of the German Water and Wastewater Association DWA.
Emmanuel Van Houtte (Bruges, 1962) graduated from the University of Ghent as a hydrogeologist in 1984. After working in IT (1986-1990) and at UGhent (1990-1992) he started working for IWVA, now Aquaduin, in 1992.
He was hired to develop sustainable groundwater management in the dunes. Infiltration was the preferred option and looking for a source water, pilot tests on wastewater effluent were performed from 1997 on. Based on the experience with the trials, the concept and the design was made for WPC Torreele (re-use) combined to the St-André infiltration project which became operational in 2002.
Besides WPC Torreele and infiltration, his responsibilities include water quality, environmental issues, natural management of the dunes, research and development. He participated in several European research projects (Aquarec, RECLAIM, DEMOWARE) and now Aquaduin participates in FRESH4Cs to develop the willow-field for treatment of RO concentrate.
Manuela Helmecke was born in Berlin, Germany. She studied Geography (B.Sc.) at Humboldt University Berlin, followed by a M.Sc. degree in Environmental Sciences, specialised in Integrated Water Resources Management, at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Afterwards she worked as a trainee and consultant in a GIZ-project related to Climate Change Adaptation in the Water Sector in Cairo, Egypt.
In December 2015 she joined the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Section II 2.1 – General Aspects of Water and Soil. Since then she has been involved in the processes related to the EU Regulation on Water Reuse and its national implementation.
Jörg E. Drewes is Chair Professor of Urban Water Systems Engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. Before joining TUM in 2013, he served as Full Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, USA.
Professor Drewes’ research and scholarly activities are closely related to the common theme of energy efficient advanced water treatment systems and water recycling. Dr. Drewes has published more than 300 peer-reviewed journal papers and book contributions (h-index 57, Scopus).
Professor Drewes is a member of the Advisory Council on Global Change directly advising the German Government (WBGU). He was awarded Fellow of the International Water Association (IWA) and is a member of the Strategic Council of IWA. He also served as the Chair of IWA’s Water Reuse Specialist Group (2013-2019). He serves as the Associate Editor of ACS Environmental Science & Technology.
2015: Bachelor of Science in Applied Geosciences, specialized in Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
2018: Master of Science in Environmental Engineering with focus on Urban Water Systems Engineering and Water Resource Management
2017: Visiting research scientist at Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (Ethiopia) for installation and calibration of laboratory unit for conducting „Biochemical methane potential tests“
2017: Visiting research scientist Ladakh Ecological Development and Environmental Group (India) for assessment of the impact of on-site sanitation systems on groundwater quality
Since 2018: Research associate and doctoral candidate at Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering. Experience in conceptualization and implementation of non-potable water reuse projects.
Research focus on development of hybrid membrane processes (ultrafiltration membranes combined with ozonation, inline dosed powdered activated carbon) for the production of safe reclaimed water
Since 2020: Research analyst at the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), analyzing global environmental and development problems
The last edition on 25th November focused on „Water Reuse: Opportunities & Challenges“. View the speakers below:
2021’s first BLUE PLANET Berlin Water Dialogues was special in two ways: On 25th February, the conference format not only celebrated its 10th anniversary but also its digital premiere. Debates around solutions to the challenges of global water management took place entirely virtually, allowing nearly 700 participants worldwide to join this vibrant conference and interact with speakers and other guests via the online networking tool. High-ranking international guest speakers presented innovations in asset management processes and discussed water utilities in smart cities. The next event is planned to be held in November 2021.
In the welcoming words, Julia Braune, General Manager at German Water Partnership and Frank Bruckmann, CFO at Berliner Wasserbetriebe both highlighted the important opportunity for the international water industry to meet online and to enter into dialogues to improve the global water situation. Bruckmann also mentioned the newly published digitalisation index of the German water sector. Digitalisation was the overarching framework topic of the conference. Under the umbrella theme Smart Water for Resilient Cities, the program was divided into two topic sections, focusing on Innovative Asset Management Processes and Water Utilities in Smart Cities.
Innovation is key
„Innovation is crucial to help the water sector achieve the sustainable development goals and the European Green Deal ambitions“, Claudia Castell-Exner, President of the European Federation of National Associations of water services, EurEau, set the tone in her keynote speech. She presented immediate needs such as the innovation of analytical methods, creating sustainable business models, and above all digitalizing the water sector. “It is vital that we plan and consistently invest in our systems according to the long-life cycles for our assets. In this ongoing process, innovation is a key factor for us”, Castell-Exner stated.
Different perspectives, one goal: detecting sewer damages using AI
Initiating the first topic of the day, Regina Gnirß, Head of Research and Development of the Utility Berliner Wasserbetriebe, provided a comprehensive introduction, pointing out opportunities and challenges as well as showing a simulation of sewer systems for different investment scenarios.
Current challenges such as old infrastructure, new demands from increased runoff and an aging workforce call for innovative technology. Insights on the benefits of using Artificial Intelligence to detect damages in sewer systems were given in the framework of three different projects with similar objectives. The AUZUKA project presented by Daniel Sauter (Berliner Wasserbetriebe) aims to achieve the detection of sewer damages by (semi-)automatically using novel 3D camera technology. The project SEMA presented by Mathias Riechel (Berlin Center of Competence for Water) developed a quality-assured aging model for the condition of Berlin’s sewer system and future investment needs. And the Swiss company Pallon, represented by Co-Founder Christian Koch, uses machine learning to automatically detect defects in sewer inspection videos and inform cities when and how to repair them, saving tax money, reducing CO2 emissions and wastewater leakages.
In four subsequent break-out sessions participants had the opportunity to join discussions that built upon the presentations and looked at “Innovative tools for asset management strategies”, “Guidelines for the assessment of wastewater networks”, “Physical modelling of sewer failures” and “IoT networks and sensors: smart sewer systems”.
Integrating smart water concepts in cities
“Smart City is not about technology. It is about enabling a sustainable urban future facing – and in need of – rapid change”, Prof. Jochen Rabe, CEO of Berlin Center of Competence for Water and professor at the Einstein Center Digital Future introduced the second part of the conference on Water Utilities in Smart Cities. In his opening remarks, Jochen Rabe explained how resilience informs the development trajectories towards the overarching goal of sustainability and both, the opportunities and risks associated to the Smart City within this transformation. Jochen Rabe was challenging the audience and the water sector to engage more deeply in the Smart City debate and to deploy digital means as a key enabler to analyse, communicate and eventually operate the SUSTAINABLE SMART WATER CITY.
Walter Kling from the City of Vienna joined this paradigm and presented Vienna’s achievements in smart city water management. Vienna is developing a smart city framework which includes water supply in all its strategy areas – a success story that continues to be written.
It’s all about integration and interoperability
A great illustration of an integrated approach is the Digital Water City project, which was presented by Sofia Housni (Greater Paris Sanitation Authority – SIAPP) and Nicolas Caradot (Berlin Center of Competence for Water). Its core aim is leading urban water management to its digital future by solving water challenges in five European cities, e.g. creating an early warning system based on a forecast of bathing water quality in Paris or fostering public involvement in urban water management in Berlin – using fifteen digital solutions.
Discussions in the following break-out-sessions examined that the integration of water – as a physical asset – with the digital world is still at an early stage, but efforts are underway for this to change very soon. One of the biggest challenges is to instill trust in smart solutions. There is a need to break up siloes and enhance interoperability.
Furthermore, it was concluded that governance is one of the key bottlenecks that need to be addressed, because there is still a discrepancy between policy and “tech-readiness”. When considering utilities, it was stated that characteristics of utilities being smart are to be inclusive, green, sustainable, and resilient. And to achieve this, for utilities to be effective and smart, capacity is a key pillar – together with governance and finance.
A global story with local storylines
Wrapping up an intense afternoon filled with project insights, expert discussions and 1-on-1 networking Paul Fleming, Global Water Program Manager at Microsoft concluded: “Water is a global story with local storylines”. He highlighted that partnerships are a crucial success factor, and that water can be an asset to decision-making by way of a stronger role in policies.
Conclusion
The virtual afternoon has once again proven that international collaboration is imperative in addressing global challenges of the water sector. As water is not yet sufficiently featured in the smart city debate, global events such as BLUE PLANET Berlin Water Dialogues are a first step towards changing this. Many promising projects and innovations are already underway. Together, the water industry can create a sustainable water strategy for the future.
Watch a full recording of all sessions here.
Download the speaker presentations here.
Please help us improve your experience at the next BLUE PLANET event by filling out a short feedback form here.
The next BLUE PLANET event is planned for November 2021. Follow our website www.blueplanetberlin.de for updates.
The edition on 25th February 2021 focused on Smart Water for Resilient Cities. The event addressed the following topics:
Click here to view the agenda. Re-watch the sessions here. A full report of the event is available here.
Keynote speech: Claudia Castell-Exner, President, EurEau
Closing keynote: Paul Fleming, Global Water Program Manager, Microsoft USA
Topic Section I: Innovative Asset Management Processes
Introduction: Regina Gnirß, Head of Research and Development, Utility Berliner Wasserbetriebe
Identification of sewer damages by using intelligent image analysis: Daniel Sauter, Research and Development, Utility Berliner Wasserbetriebe
From data to decisions: new tools and methods for sewer asset management: Mathias Riechel, Project Leader & Scientist, Berlin Center of Competence for Water
Innovative tools for asset management strategies:
Dr.-Ing. Robert Stein, Managing Director, STEIN Infrastructure Management GmbH
Dr. Agnes Janda, Department Head for Sewer Infrastructure, Gelsenwasser AG
Guidelines for the assessment of wastewater networks:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karsten Kerres, Department of Civil Engineering, FH Aachen
Prof. Andreas Hartmann, Managing Director, Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH
Status Quo: Physical modelling of sewer failures: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bert Bosseler, Scientific Director, IKT – Institute for Underground Infrastructure
IoT networks and sensors: A look into the future of Smart Sewer Systems: Lena Heinrich, Managing Director Isle Germany, Isle Utilities
Synopsis of Break-Out Session I
Topic Section II: Water Utilities in Smart Cities
Smart City Strategy
Prof. Jochen Rabe, CEO, Berlin Center of Competence for Water
Walter Kling, Dept. Managing Director, Vienna Water
Project Presentation: Digital-Water.City
Dr. Nicolas Caradot, Project Coordinator, Berlin Center of Competence for Water
Dr. Sofia Housni, DWC Project Leader, SIAAP – Greater Paris Sanitation Authority
How can open-source standards boost the development of smart solutions?
Rebekah Eggers, Americas Technical Innovation Leader, IBM Global Markets, Energy, Environment & Utilities, IBM North America
Dr. Lydia Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia, Program Director of Watershare, KWR Water Research Institute, Netherlands
How to support circular economies with innovative wastewater treatment: Prof. Francesco Fatone, IWA Fellow/Full Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy
Digital water governance: What are the challenges associated with digitalization in the water sector?
Dr. Ulf Stein, Coordinator Water Studies, Ecologic Institute gGmbH
Gerardo Anzaldúa, Senior Fellow on Water Policy and Innovation, Ecologic Institute gGmbH
Smooth Operators: Building Utilities’ Resilience to Climate, COVID and other Crises: Julie Perkins, Officer-in-Charge of the Secretariat, UN-Habitat’s Global Water Operators‘ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA)
Synopsis Break-Out Session II
Summary of the event
Dr. Ulf Stein studied landscape planning and nature conservation at Leibniz University Hannover (Germany), the University of Guelph (Canada) and the University of Copenhagen (Denmark). He completed his doctorate at the University of Kassel, where he also lectured freshwater ecology, water resource management and geographic information systems (GIS).
Dr. Ulf Stein joined Ecologic Institute in 2011, where today he coordinates the institute’s water activities as a Senior Fellow. His work focuses mostly on the enhancement of the European Union’s and German water policies and the sustainable management of water resources. His current activities include innovation projects that support digital transformation of the water sector.
Walter Kling was born in Vienna, Austria on 21 March 1958. He decided to study environmental engineering with a special focus on water management and in 1986 enrolled at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna.
He started to work at the Municipal Department 31 of the City of Vienna, better known as Vienna Waterworks. In 2011 he was appointed as Deputy Managing Director of Vienna Waterworks, a position which he still stays on.
Following his interest in the international context of water management, Walter Kling joined the work auf the Austrian Association and in 1993 he was delegated to represent Vienna within IWSA. He was an active member in IWSA with a special focus on the Standing Committee on Public Relations. Since the launch of IWA in 2000, Walter Kling supported the development of the new association in his region of East Europe by organising a number of events. Maintaining an excellent network of contacts he applied to organise the IWA – World Water Congress 2008 in Vienna. Starting from 2003, the Congress President Walter Kling served with great commitment to secure best circumstances for IWA, IAWD and the City of Vienna to run a successful conference. In September 2010 he was elected IWA – Vicepresident, re-elected Busan 2012and served in this position till 2014.
Currently he is conducting the Danube water program, a joint program of IAWD and the Worldbank.
An important background for this supporting work is his role as the General Secretary of IAWD (International Association of the Waterworks in the Danube catchment area) which he started in 1993. Founded by an initiative of the Mayor of Vienna, IAWD is a long-term partner of IWA in various activities. Following the interest of Vienna to play an active role in the international water business, Walter Kling took duty to represent water issues also within CEMR and the Water Committee of UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments).
