European Water Association (EWA)

The European Water Association (EWA) represents water professionals from 24 organisations in 24 countries. Co-operation in the European water sector dates back to 1969 but the association was founded in 1981 as the European Water Pollution Control Association, becoming the European Water Association in 1999 and thereby extending its remit to cover all aspects of the water sector.
EWA consists today of member associations from nearly all European countries,  including all countries from Central and Eastern Europe which joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Other European countries represented within the EWA are Albania, Croatia, Ukraine, Serbia and Montenegro, Norway, and Switzerland. The individual associations represent professionals and technicians for wastewater and water utilities, academics, consultants and contractors as well as a growing number of corporate member firms and enterprises. EWA thus represents about 55,000 professional individuals working in the broad field of water management.
The aim of EWA is to provide a forum for the discussion of key technical and policy issues affecting the growing European region. This is done through regular publications, conferences, workshops, meetings and special working groups of experts, all organised on an international basis.

European Water Association – Annual Brussels Conference

The 3rd EWA Brussels conference was held on 5th November 2007. The theme was European Water Management and Climate Change. During the conference the latest findings on climate change were presented and the EU discussed the implications for the member states and the affects of climate variability the implentation of EU directives. The European Environment Agency (EEA) considered how member states are developing adaptation policies, whilst the Danube commission for the protection of the River Basin looked at the pressures of managing the catchment in a more changeable climate. Presenters also considered the implications for Flood Risk Management, the consequences for water, sewerage and wastewater services and the need to manage assets better. The day concluded with a review of the EWA Climate Change opinion, some thoughts on the EU Green Paper on Climate Change and Adaptation, and a wide ranging panel discussion. Presentation materials can be downloaded from  www.ewaonline.de. The EWA is already planning for the fourth Brussels conference which will be held on November 4th 2008 in Brussels.

European Water Association (EWA) – Water Management at IFAT 2008 - 5th - 9th May

The EWA is co-hosting the 3rd Joint Specialty Conference, Sponsored by: European Water Association (EWA), Japan Sewage Works Association (JSWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF), on the subject area of Sustainable Water Management in response to 21st century pressures  - Managers, planners and designers in water management are already dealing with a number of pressures such as new regulations, increases in water usage, greater demands in terms of risk avoidance, and changes in population demography. But now it is obvious that the changes in weather are bringing new and more variable challenges. This conference is focussed on the consequences of the changes and how these can be mitigated and accommodated. The programme will have a practical focus which fits in well with the interests of the delegates and exhibitors at IFAT 2008.

Further details can be obtained from Nadine SCHULTE, Technical Management Assistant, EWA, Phone: +49 (0) 2242 872-189, Fax : +49 (0) 2242 872-135, E-mail: schulte@dwa.de and web: www.EWAonline.de