Vol 5, Issue 6 (June 2004)

Need to know

  • CHINA DEALS

    Veolia has not been kicking its heels while Suez does all the running. It has also announced a deal in Russia, albeit smaller than Degrémont\'s Moscow treatment plant.

  • DESAL DISPUTE

    After paying Covanta to leave the project, Tampa Bay Water is set to appoint a new team to put right the problems at its troubled desalination plant shortly.

  • GERMAN LARGESSE

    Germany's development bank KfW has been pushing ahead in Latin America with two deals promoting private sector participation.

  • SACKCLOTH AND ASHES

    Tractebel's victory at Sohar wrong-footed GWI. We suggested last month that the consortia led by SembCorp and AES were the favourites for the IWPP.

  • SUEZ IN THE NEWS

    Suez is still fighting to come to terms with political intervention in the tariff setting process in Argentina.

  • TAX TROUBLES

    The cross-border leasing (CBL) gravy train which brought free money to French and German water utilities courtesy of the American taxpayer has ground to a halt.

Analysis

  • How many beans make five?

    On paper, BOT projects are cost-effective. In practice, many public utilities find them onerous.

  • Oil and water

    Will higher energy costs hinder growth in the desalination sector?

General

  • Acquisition and valuation trends in US water

    The M&A scene in America is changing. Diversified industrials and private equity are the new buyers while valuations have become more realistic following the high point of the late 1990s, says Steve Maxwell*.

  • Agbar linked with Spanish multi-utility

    Agbar may join Spain\'s largest generator and gas supplier in a big multi-utilities group.

  • Berlinwasser wins Hefei sewage tender

    The German company is paying just south of million to operate a wastewater plant in eastern China, reports Peter Chan.

  • Blue Hills hits a snag

    Bid evaluation is taking longer than expected. Of more concern, however, is a competing proposal to bring water to Nassau via a 50km undersea pipeline.

  • Dispute mires Point Lisas

    Both the off-taker and the project company claim to be losing money on Trinidad\'s showcase desalination plant. Now they are in dispute.

  • Germany's long road to water

    The pace of German market reform has disappointed. GWI\'s Germany correspondent, Sara Knight, looks at how the tax regime remains the principal obstacle.

  • Insight - David Lloyd Owen

    Seeking clarity in the Water Framework Directive.

  • Muscat prepares for privatisation

    The first step is to make the government-owned operating company financially independent and ready for privatisation.

  • New sanitation bill drafted

    One of the aims is to put a stop to the frequent disputes between municipalities and state water companies.

  • Regulator warned over ratings

    Not allowing UK water companies the price increases they want could severely affect their credit status.

  • Results boost for UK water sector

    The companies can take heart from a good set of results but they are still at the mercy of the regulator.

  • Sluggish Brazilian investment stirs

    Funds have been earmarked for several hundred water projects to beat an election year deadline.

  • Strong interest in Fujairah IWPP

    UWEC has started informal discussions with potential partners. A formal tender process will follow in the fourth quarter.

  • Thinking outside the BOT

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is looking for a new focus for its water operations, reports GWI special correspondent Frédéric Blanc-Brude.

  • Tractebel scores Sohar coup

    The Belgian group is back in business following its exile imposed by parent company Suez. The first feather in its cap is the Sohar IWPP.