Vol 5, Issue 9 (September 2004)

Need to know

  • CORPORATE NEWS

    French communications and construction group Bouygues is expecting to announce a buyer for its water and services group Saur by the end of the month.

  • DEALS

    Algeria announced another private sector desalination project – its ninth by our count. The latest deal is for a 50,000m<sup>3</sup>/d SWRO plant at Jijel with bids due in October.

  • DESAL PROGRESS

    It was a good month for Poseidon Resources, the US desal plant developer which has been battling to get the go-ahead for three projects (see Tracker, p32).

  • RESULTS

    The tide seems to be turning on the Ionics share price after it hit a low point in May this year.

  • VEOLIA STRIKES BACK

    Domino Holding, a Veolia-led consortium, regained effective control over Paraná State Water Company (Companhia de Saneamento do Paraná – Sanepar) thanks to a 17 August High Court (STJ) ruling.

Analysis

  • Saur point

    The French firm probably won’t be crossing the channel.

  • Tariffs on the move

    The growth of the global water market will be decoupled from GDP growth. But just not yet.

General

  • Bigger is better for German water supply

    A new study of water supply in eastern Germany suggests consolidation is a good thing, but it also highlights a surprising link between state subsidies and energy efficiency.

  • Concession success

    A good performance by Agbar means that private sector participation is seen as the way ahead.

  • Dealing with rate shock

    US water and wastewater infrastructure needs up to $1 trillion of investment over the next 20 years. Utilities are learning to put rates up.

  • Environment Agency raises WFD fears

    80% of Britain’s waste discharges might not comply with the Water Framework Directive. It is going to cost a lot of money to put things right.

  • French frustrations

    Veolia and Suez both made a commitment to invest in Kazakhstan. The good intentions have disappeared into the sand.

  • How much should water cost?

    The price of water is clearly not driven by supply or demand.

  • Insight - David Lloyd Owen

    Is Northern Ireland’s Water GoCo a no-no?

  • Kazakhstan takes the slow road

    The economic indicators for the central Asian republic are strong. Alexander Danilenko looks at why this has yet to benefit the water sector.

  • Local alternatives to state funds

    The two key financial institutions for Mexico’s water sector, Banobras and the NADB, see lack of expertise rather than money as the main problem.

  • Mexico: time to get serious

    Mexico has long been a disappointment for private water companies and equipment suppliers. Innovative tax breaks and tougher environmental regulations look set to change that.

  • North America starts to catch up

    Tariffs in the US and Canada are very low. For how much longer?

  • Ofwat ruling sparks appeals

    Last month’s draft determinations have upset Thames and AWG. Will they complain to the Competition Commission if they don’t get their way in December?

  • Shoaiba IWPP gathers momentum

    Developers are evaluating the Shoaiba RFP. Most of them seem to like it.

  • Sizing the global water market

    GWI’s water pricing survey is an opportunity to estimate the size of the global water market by end user spend. Is half a trillion big enough?

  • Tariffs: half way there

    GWI’s 2004 water pricing survey shows a continuing shortfall in the level of tariffs charged to the consumer.

  • The last NEWater project

    Does Ulu Pandan mark a threshold in the Singapore utility market? Olivia Jensen investigates.

  • The riddle of Jakarta

    Why are Ondeo and Thames staying in the Indonesian capital? Frédéric Blanc-Brude investigates.

  • UK equipment and engineering market looks up

    A new study suggests Ofwat’s price determinations will be kind to industry suppliers.

  • Waiting for regulation

    The regulator has to win more confidence if it wants to fulfill its role.

Companies

  • A growing desal portfolio

    Although its roots are in the power business, IP is rapidly increasing its knowledge of desalination. A move into RO could be the next step.

  • Buyers line up for Saur

    Bouygues has had enough of its water firm. Who is in the running to take it on?

  • Country bumpkin on the block

    Saur has grown out of rural France to take water to the world. It has not made any major mistakes – but nor is it very profitable.

  • IP looks to bounce back

    After a slow start to 2004, International Power is aiming to bounce back in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.