Water technology partnership between the Philippines and Australia is set to grow stronger with the upcoming A$225-million acquisition of United Utilities Australia Pty Ltd (UUA) by a consortium led by Ayala-owned Manila Water Corporation, said Australian Ambassador to the country Rod Smith.
“The acquisition will result in increased technology transfer to the Philippines covering water and wastewater treatment plants, reuse schemes, and desalination facilities,” he said in a news release announcing the participation of seven Australian companies in the Philwater 2010 18th Annual International Conference and Exhibition on Water Resource Management from October 13-15 in Boracay, Aklan.
Australia’s participation in the event underlines the growing links between the two countries in the area of water resource management, the embassy said.
UUA has established itself as a strong participant in the Australian water industry, currently operating and maintaining 35 water treatment plants, 22 wastewater treatment plants, nine reuse schemes, and four desalination plants that benefit more than 3 million people across Australia.
Organized by the Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA) and promoted by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), Philwater 2010 will be attended by more than 100 key water industry players including the private sector, government officials, water cooperatives and industry leaders.
“Australia’s need to manage our scarce water resources has driven Australia to become one of the world’s leaders in water management and water reform, and this expertise has extended to strong capabilities in waste water and solid waste management and recycling,” Smith said.
“The event is an opportunity for Australian experts to meet their local counterparts and share knowledge that could assist the Philippines in crafting long-term solutions for its water shortage problem,” Ambassador Smith added.
Australian companies participating in the exhibition include AVK Philippines, Aqua Treatment Technologies, Bently Systems, MWH Soft, and Festo Inc.
Australian resource speakers were also invited to present on various topics in conference, including: Paul Hansford of Water GHD Pty Ltd on Water Governance and Water Reuse; Dr Uma Umakhanthan, PhD of Bently Systems and Mark Forbes of Koch Membrane Systems Australia on Water Technology and Quantity Monitoring; and Justin Hanson of Asia Pacific MWH Soft on Financing Water, Sewerage Projects, and Facilities Management.
