Vol 10, Issue 11 (November 2009)

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Need to know

  • MERGERS

    *The deadline for Christ Water Technology shareholders to accept GLV’s takeover offer of €3.35 per share falls at 4.00p.m.

  • NEW DIRECTIONS

    * Spain’s Catalan Water Agency (ACA) looks set to be the next to challenge attitudes towards drinking reclaimed water.

  • NEW JOBS

    * Luis Castilla has been appointed chairman of Acciona’s water division Acciona Agua, which is one of the three key pillars of the group, alongside infrastructure and energy.

  • SCARCITY MOVES

    * The California legislature has given the go-ahead to governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s $11 billion water bond.

  • SELL-OUTS

    * United Utilities is selling most of its interest in Manila Water to Ayala Corporation (see story p24).

Analysis

General

  • Agbar slims down ahead of de-listing

    The Agbar ownership saga has reached a predictable conclusion, with Suez Environnement agreeing to take a 75% stake in the Spanish operator. The financial benefits are mixed.

  • AMP5 outsourcing driven by cost pressures

    New efficiency tactics by the large UK water and sewerage companies will have a knock-on effect on their subcontractors over the next five years. GWI takes a look at how things are shaping up.

  • AQP turns back the clock

    A move to change the structure of Acquedotto Pugliese has angered Italian water specialists. It is a further blow to privatisation.

  • Bluewater Bio’s South African safari

    South Africa’s wastewater infrastructure is failing on a monumental scale. A new agreement between Bluewater Bio and Headstream Water offers an effective way to restore performance and boost capacity.

  • Bouygues reduces water exposure

    The French construction giant has ceded control of its last remaining water interest to an African private equity fund.

  • California’s new water paradigm

    After years of debate, California has finally ushered in a new era in the management of state water resources. Lawyer Wes Strickland assesses the implications of the new legislation.

  • China’s new contract ops strategy: bundling

    Kathy Liu looks at the implications of a recent package of wastewater operating contracts in Hainan. Could it signal the emergence of a blooming Chinese contract operations market?

  • Derogation’s what you need

    The UK is getting nervous about the Water Framework Directive. The government is exploring the potential for derogations to keep tariffs down.

  • Egypt completes water master plan

    Egypt has unveiled a front-loaded capex programme for its water sector.

  • Fisia Italimpianti pulls away at Hassyan

    The third round of bidding for the Hassyan 1 power and water project in Dubai could leave Doosan empty-handed, though DEWA may yet choose to rebuff the prices on offer for a second time.

  • Israeli water companies mull minority stake sales

    Kardan and Mekorot have moved forward with plans to sell off minority stakes in their project subsidiaries.

  • Moroccan phosphate solution hinges on desal

    A new desalination plant will reduce groundwater extraction on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. It will be powered by excess energy from fertiliser production.

  • New report assesses water PSP in South Africa

    A review of private water management contracts in South Africa has much to say that is positive. Cherry-picking concessions in wealthy areas can skew the numbers, however.

  • NZ opens the door to private water finance

    Funding shortfalls in New Zealand have already led to water infrastructure projects being delayed. A change in legislation could encourage the private sector to make up the difference.

  • Power plants continue to suck US dry

    New data from the US Geological Survey underline the need for fresh action on the water-energy nexus. The volumes of water withdrawn for cooling thermoelectric power plants remain stubbornly high.

  • Q3 results fail to boost water stocks

    The ongoing effects of the economic downturn – and a wet summer – took their toll on many companies’ thirdquarter results. Despite an impressive performance from China, the GWI Global Water Index was flat on the month.

  • Qidfa pro quo in the northern emirates

    The resolution of land ownership issues on the coast of Fujairah has given the green light to the F1 IWPP expansion

  • Russian water tries to come in from the cold

    There are signs that Russia is getting serious about mobilising international private water operators to help it tackle its infrastructure challenges. Achieving the breakthrough could still take several years.

  • Salalah IWPP limps towards financial close

    Delays in the financing for the Salalah power and water project in Oman have been attributed to a lack of experience amongst those involved.

  • Spanish tariffs rise as domestic consumption falls

    New statistics show that per capita water consumption in Spain has fallen for the fifth year in a row. While average tariffs have risen, there are still huge regional discrepancies.

  • Suez sets co-ordinates for growth

    The combined group of Agbar and Suez Environnement will have to adopt a clear strategy to maximise growth internationally.

  • Syria eyes wastewater BOTs

    The drive towards public-private partnerships in Syria is set to yield its first fruit for international project developers.

  • UU exits from Manila Water Co. after 12 years

    The UK-listed company has sold its remaining position in Manila Water to Ayala Corp. It will enable the group to further concentrate its capital resources in core markets.

  • Veolia boosts UK gearing

    A new loan will increase the attractiveness of Veolia Water’s UK business by hiking the gearing to 61%. Is it enough to convince potential buyers?

  • What’s in it for the private sector?

    The water law reform in California will benefit the birds and the bees. It is more difficult to see how the private sector will gain from it.

  • Your world in a room

    Emma Welsh reflects on what makes the perfect conference, and invites your nominations for the 2010 Global Water Awards.

Brief

  • ASIA WATER NEWS IN BRIEF

    * Queensland’s Traveston Dam proposal has been rejected by the Australian federal government, meaning the state will have to implement alternative water resourcing strategies, including desalination and reuse.

  • EUROPE WATER NEWS IN BRIEF

    * The half-year reporting season for the English and Welsh water companies kicked off with Bristol Water and Welsh Water both citing concerns over increasing customer bad debts in the light of the economic slowdown. A full analysis of the sector’s results will appear in next month’s GWI.

  • MIDDLE EAST WATER NEWS IN BRIEF

    * ADSSC is expecting around six bids on 16 November for a 27,276m3/d reverse osmosis plant to polish treated sewage effluent to potable standards at the royal Al Wathba Palace in Abu Dhabi. The polished effluent will be used for landscape and agricultural irrigation.

Market insight

Opinion