Aqua Publica Europea THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC WATER - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Aqua Publica Europea THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC WATER OPERATORS European water operators’ response to COVID-19 emergency: lessons learnt GWOPA Webinar Series 02/06/2020 1

About Aqua Publica Europea 70+ 8 65 Members MILLION BILLION Public water operators and citizens served euros of their associations every day aggregated turnover APE’s mission Represent the public water sector Provide a platform for mutual learning

The APE Platform APE provides a dynamic platform for members to exchange best practices, share knowledge and address common management challenges THEMATIC SESSIONS WORKING GROUPS Technical meeting open to all members addressing an Economic – Performance – Communication issue selected by members and featuring presentations Innovation – Sludge & Circular Economy – by experts from APE members, on projects and best Customer Relations practices WATER ERASMUS SEMINARS Bilateral short-term staff exchange between a Exchanging with stakeholders and institutions ‘visiting operator’ and a ‘hosting operator’ on a on common challenges for water resources specific topic of common interest management.

The outbreak of Covid-19 in Europe 02/03 – After 16/03 – European borders Diseases 21/02 – closing in Control First cases Europe and Centre shifts 08/03 – in Italy > progressive level risk 16/03 – 14/03 – National lockdown in lockdown in from National National lockdown in affected all other medium to Lockdown lockdown in Italy towns countries high in France Spain 08/03 – Big 14/03 – 11/03 – street football Municipal manifestatio match elections in n in Madrid France Atletico - to celebrate Liverpool women’s day 4

Initiatives of APE to support operators’ response to Covid -19  Facilitating direct exchanges among members - organisation of three video-conferences on Covid-19 crisis management : • 23/03 – Contingency Plans • 08/04 – Sludge and wastewater management; monitoring frequencies; critical supplies • 06/05 – Recovery Plans  Collection and circulation of relevant information • Summary of contingency plans • Scientific Studies (WHO, national health authorities)  External Communication and Institutional Relations • Video on workers’ commitment during crisis • Sharing communication campaigns on tap water safety • Instructional dialogue to ensure borders transit of essential supplies 5

Taking stock… 6

Lessons learnt – Key elements to ensure resilience  Risk management methodologies in place  Procedure for Information and data management (reducing noise, avoiding ‘confusion’)  IT infrastructure  Critical supplies’ stocks 7

Looking forward: What implications?  Evolving customer-operator relation  Evolving internal work organisation (including new relation between departments)  Digitalisation  Stronger risk management approach  Economic impact – new financing mechanisms? 8

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