Vol 11, Issue 2 (February 2010)

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Need to know

  • ALL HAIL SHALE

    * Heckmann Corp. and Energy Transfer Partners have announced a joint venture to build pipelines and treatment plants to process and recycle wastewater generated by the Marcellus and Haynesville Shales in the United States.

  • CRUNCH TIME

    * Business has boomed these last five years for water technology companies and private project developers, but water operators have had a tougher time of it.

  • LOOKING TO CHINA

    * Aqualyng has recovered from a neardeath experience during 2009, when project delays coincided with the disappearance of refinancing options to create losses of nearly $12 mllion on revenues of $479,000 in the 12 months ending 30 September.

  • RESULTS ROUND-UP

    * Full-year results are in from some of the water treatment chemical companies, and a couple of the engineers.

  • SPANISH PRACTISES

    * Spanish water utilities will have to double tariffs over the next five years in order to meet the challenges ahead, according to the Spanish Association of Water Supply and Treatment Companies (see story p16).

Analysis

General

  • A case of winter blues

    Emma Welsh suggests you chase away your winter blues with a copy of Water Desalination Report.

  • Berlinwasser heads for the million mark in China

    Berlinwasser wants to grow aggressively in the Chinese wastewater market. A new contract in Panjin should give it leverage to expand.

  • Biwater left cold by Algerian reform

    The lurch towards economic nationalism in Algeria is heralding ‘Algerianisation’ in the country’s desalination sector. It has already claimed its first victim.

  • Bulgaria looks to roll out concession model

    Bulgaria is the poor man of Europe when it comes to unaccounted-for water. The move to introduce 48 concessions across the country could revolutionise the entire water sector.

  • Chinese wastewater acquisition raises eyebrows

    A major electricity company has bought into the Chinese wastewater market through a $102 million acquisition. The circumstances of the deal are shrouded in controversy, reports Kathy Liu.

  • Debtors impact Veolia Maroc’s cashflow

    The need to match its investment programme with incoming cashflows is becoming ever more apparent as Veolia heads into a critical review of its Moroccan concessions.

  • EU compliance will have to wait

    The president of Spanish water industry body AEAS believes Spain’s compliance with key EU directives hinges on PPPs and tariff reform.

  • EU states struggle as WFD deadline looms

    The March deadline for submitting river basin management plans looks set to be missed by most European countries. What are the implications?

  • Hybridisation at Az-Zour South

    Kuwait is planning its second major RO plant – this time at Az-Zour South.

  • Israel fast-tracks wastewater treatment upgrades

    New regulations approved in January mandate tertiary treatment for over 1 million m3/d of Israel’s wastewater treatment capacity. The extra reuse potential could reduce expenditure on desalination.

  • Jindal boosts profile with international partnerships

    Jindal Water’s JV with Manila Water and a new MOU with Kobelco highlight a growing trend for Indian water companies to ally themselves with international partners. Rama Rastogi reports.

  • Mexico goes cold on wastewater funding

    Despite signing a contract for the biggest WWTP in the world, the remainder of the Valley of Mexico water treatment programme is grinding to a halt. Mark Walsh investigates.

  • New Cairo FC sets tone for Egyptian PPP programme

    The lessons learned at New Cairo could have an important impact on the timing of future Egyptian PPPs.

  • New report advocates resource efficiency

    A new document from a leading UK think tank suggests how Ofwat’s role could be adapted to further incentivise water suppliers. Resource efficiency need not always equal economic success.

  • NWG move baffles analysts

    A reported bid for Northumbrian Water has left industry analysts puzzled.

  • Profit warnings drag water index down

    Despite a robust performance from UK water stocks this month on the back of renewed M&A speculation, the GWI Water Index ended the period down 6.6%. A series of profit warnings did not help things.

  • Remondis establishes Spanish beachhead

    The German water operator has broadened its international portfolio by taking over Barcelona-based firm OMSSacede. It wants to use the company as a platform to break into the Spanish industrial market.

  • SEDIF field reduced to two bidders

    The race for the SEDIF contract renewal has narrowed to just two players. Were the cards stacked against outsiders right from the start?

  • SEM faces ultimatum over Constantine contract

    The French water operator has been given two months to improve its performance under an existing management contract, or else face the boot.

  • Spain faces call to double water tariffs

    A recent conference in Madrid tackled the thorny issue of how to achieve cost recovery through appropriate water pricing mechanisms. There were some surprising conclusions.

  • The rise of Remondis Aqua

    The family-owned water and wastewater systems operator has been quietly building market share. Now it is making waves all over Europe.

  • Waste not, want not in Marcellus Shale

    A new joint venture will provide the first comprehensive wastewater recycling services in the Marcellus Shale.

  • Water companies count the cost of the FD

    The full impact of Ofwat’s final determination is beginning to be felt by the English and Welsh water companies. Only one dared to refer the regulator’s decision to the competition authorities.

  • Water reuse for Don Quixote

    Castilla-La Mancha has announced a €1bn plan which will raise the level of reuse in the region. The authorities are still reluctant to use private finance.

Brief

  • AMERICAS WATER IN BRIEF

    Tetra Tech shares fell by 18% in late January after the company drastically revised its diluted EPS guidance for fiscal 2010 to $1.08-$1.18 from $1.25-1.35.

  • ASIA WATER IN BRIEF

    Shares in Asia Environment Holdings plummeted by 28% on 3rd February after the company released a profit warning for the fourth quarter of last year.

  • EUROPE WATER NEWS IN BRIEF

    *South East Water returned to the bond markets in early February after a six-year absence, raising £130 million of inflationlinked notes due in June 2041.

  • MIDDLE EAST WATER NEWS IN BRIEF

    * Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is planning to retender a planned new 60,000m3/d wastewater treatment plant at an alternative location to that originally earmarked at Al Thakira, north of Doha.

Companies

  • New year, new start for Aqualyng

    The economic downturn has proved a tough challenge for Norwegian desalter Aqualyng. Chairman Bernt Østhus talks to GWI about his hopes for the future.

Market insight

Opinion

  • The storm in the teacup

    The storm in the teacup Charles Bodhi applies a little tasseomancy to the Asian water market.