Association for Water and Environmental Protection
Association for Water and Environmental Protection
The 5th international conference entitled "Efficient and Sustainable Water Services" organized by the Association for Water and Environmental Protection "Aquasan Network in BiH" was held in Neum from October 16 to 17, 2024.
The main objective of the Conference was to ensure the continuation of the dialogue with the aim of contributing to the improvement of the water services sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the exchange of knowledge, experiences and good practices.
Over 150 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the whole of Southeast Europe attended the conference. In addition to relevant representatives of the administration from all levels in BiH, including representatives of competent state, entity, cantonal ministries, entity water agencies and environmental protection funds, representatives of local self-government units (LGUs) and their public water / utility companies (PUCs), as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations and the private sector, representatives of relevant organizations and institutions from Southeast Europe and representatives of domestic and international financial institutions (MFIs) took part in the Conference.
The guests of this year's conference were representatives of the Swiss Water Association (VSA) who shared their experiences with the participants in a session on organizational, institutional and human capacities in the water services sector and the preparation, construction, operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP).
One of the key panels was dedicated to analyzing the success of reforms in the water services sector. They discussed the legal and institutional framework, the challenges facing the sector and the goals of the reform. A special focus was on the currently very current process of consideration and adoption of entity laws on water services, capacities and human resources needed for the implementation of reforms, as well as planning and financing of sectoral projects.
Capacity development programs in the field of waste water are a topic that always interests the participants. Programs for capacity developemnt in this area were presented, and the establishment of a Community of Practice for operators of wastewater treatment plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina was announced.
Special attention of the participants was attracted by the part of the Conference with poster presentations of PUCs from BiH, which presented their projects and achievements. Representatives of PUC "Parkovi" Ljubuški presented the improvement of financial management, while representatives of PUC "Vodovod" Bihać presented results in improving energy efficiency. PUC "ViK" Kalesija presented a poster on the topic of reducing non-revenue water, while PUC"ViK" Živinica shared their experience in managing a wastewater treatment plant. In the end, PUC "Vodovod" Gradiška presented initiatives in the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, and representatives of the Aquasan network in BiH presented challenges, but also sustainable answers to strengthen resistance to climate change.
The second day of the conference in Neum focused on the operational and financial sustainability of water services and energy management in PUCs in BiH through increasing the energy efficiency of pumping plants, as well as the purpose and importance and good practices of asset management (fixed assets). A special part of the Conference was devoted to the preparation, construction, operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Challenges faced by PUCs in the operation and maintenance of WWTP were presented, and examples of good practice from BiH and Switzerland were presented, which served as a good example for future projects.
Furthermore, the importance of adequate supervision of PUC by local self-governments (LGUs) was emphasized through the discussion on efficient management and management of public enterprises. It was pointed out that quality cooperation between LGUs and their public companies directly contributes to improving the quality of water services. This cooperation must be based on clear roles and responsibilities, as well as on transparent communication.
The main conclusions of the conference were:
1. Support was given to the reform of the water services sector in BiH and recommendations were defined for the improvement of policies and practices for the provision and development of water services in BiH, and the focus was placed on domestic actors in the water services sector and their roles and responsibilities in the reform process;
2. The willingness and commitment of domestic institutions, organizations and experts to lead, manage and actively participate in the changes that are taking place in the water services sector in BiH has been demonstrated;
3. An understanding was reached that in the process of EU integration and development of the water services sector, domestic institutions and organizations, instead of beneficiaries of international aid, are now responsible partners of international and donor organizations.
4. Investing in people is recognized as the most important investment and, in this regard, a contribution was made to a better understanding of the need for a systemic approach to strengthening the capacities of all stakeholders in the water services sector in BiH;
5. A forum is provided for the exchange of knowledge, information, experiences and good practices
The conference is held as part of the Regional Network for Capacity Developement for Water Supply and Sanitation (RCDN+) project funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and the partner of this year's conference is the Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).