A few months have passed since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and it is now easier to assess the impact of the crisis on societies, economies and of course, the water sector.

Across the globe, the water sector has responded with service excellence, ensuring the water supply for domestic, health care, commercial and industrial uses during the lockdown. In some countries, immense efforts have been made to supply people who lived without regular access to safe water.

The health crisis has shed a light on the vital role water plays in people’s lives. Before the pandemic, the global water crisis was a silent one. We must now use this pandemic as a catalyst to accelerate our goal of achieving universal access to water and basic sanitation. However, this will not be an easy task, as the pandemic will turn global economic growth “sharply negative” this year, also impacting the water industry.

The second issue of SWM Monthly explores some of these issues, including trends in digitalization, the ongoing climate crisis, and business opportunities in these uncertain times.

Interviews

Carlos Cosín, CEO of Almar Water Solutions.

  • With the acquisition of a stake in the Muharraq wastewater treatment plant, we have been able to consolidate our portfolio of assets
  • Shuqaiq 3 will supply water to 1.8 million people, contributing to the economic and industrial development of Saudi Arabia
  • We are well known in the area of desalination in the global water market, but we also have vast experience in wastewater treatment and reuse
  • We have established our services platform in another region to be able to grow and expand O&M and services contracts in Latin America
  • The effort we are making to replicate our model in other regions is a collective, team effort, and we hope to see the results very soon
  • The water market, specially the municipal market, has not suffered the effects of the crisis and can be considered a safe haven
  • Private companies want to be in the front line and help develop the entire network of infrastructure required for citizens and industry

Read the full article in its original location here.