Vol 4, Issue 10 (October 2003)

Need to know

• CORPORATE

  The quoted British water companies seem to be faring a little better. AWG, Severn Trent and Pennon each came in with relatively upbeat trading statements as they closed their first-half accounts at the end of October.

• DEALS

  Germany: Berlinwasser Holdings has sold its contracting business WTE Wassertechnik to Austrian utility EVN AG.

• PEOPLE/FUNDING

  UK: Tony Eckford, the director responsible for AWG’s international water activities, stepped down at the end of September.

• PROJECTS

  Iran: VA Tech Wabag was awarded a turnkey contract for a WwTP serving 2.1 million people in the south of Tehran.

Analysis

• A multipolar world of water

  The direction of capital flows in the water industry is changing. It is good for everyone.

• Veolia: pass the flannel

  The French giant’s capital-lite strategy is disingenuous.

General

• ADWEA passes on the Taweelah risk

  Nobody has done an RO plant as big as Taweelah in the Gulf before. Mott MacDonald doesn’t want problems.

• Berlin settles privatisation dispute

  The part-privatised utility will be able to raise prices, but returns to investors will be cut.

• Copasa gets the go ahead for debt

  The water company for the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais is to be allowed to raise more money. It has been doing a good job.

• Iraq outlines water sector priorities

  An industry structure is starting to take shape. There is also a clearer indication of investment needs and future projects.

• Italy: consolidate or lose out

  Italian operators are finding it hard to compete with their international rivals. Consolidation in the home market might help.

• Malaysian firms spread their wings

  Penang Water Supply, Ranhill Berhad, Salcon and Brite-Tech have been looking to China and overseas.

• Poznan progress despite PPP on hold

  Poland’s western-most city was about to embrace western finance. It isn’t now.

• Puncak scoops KL and Selangor state privatisation

  The state agency is to hand over management to the Ismail brothers’ company.

• SE Water carried on refinancing wave

  As the price review casts a shadow over the UK water and sewage companies, interest has switched to the water-onlies.

• Shanghai growth overshadows risks

  China’s largest city needs $5bn of investment in its water by 2005. Seungho Lee looks at where it might come from.

• Shoaiba consortia coalesce

  The project has attracted more locals than international players. Will there be a price to pay?

• Tampa Bay nightmare continues

  America’s flagship private public partnership to build a desal plant is in trouble. Again.

• Tijuana looks for investment

  The border city has an ambitious water plan. GWI’s central America correspondent Robin Emmott examines the proposal.

• Veolia filters its US assets

  The French company’s decision to sell US Filter marks the end of vertical integration in the water business. Or does it?

Market insight

• San Jose Water issue $20 million in private placement

  The US’s ageing water system is destined to become a serious financial issue. But while many cities across the US stand around looking for government handouts, private water companies like San Jose Water are addressing the issue by turning to capital markets.

• The French saga continues

  Veolia stunned Wall Street last month with news that the company is posting a $2.41 billion loss for the first half and that it is preparing to dispose of a big chunk of US Filter.

• What’s happening to the equipment and filtration sector?

  The recent round of sell-offs by Suez and Veolia have some market analysts wondering if the equipment and filtration sector is a solid play.