The European Water Association (EWA)
represents water professionals from 24 organisations in 24
countries. Co-operation in the European water sector dates back to
1969 but the association was founded in 1981 as the European Water
Pollution Control Association, becoming the European Water
Association in 1999 and thereby extending its remit to cover all
aspects of the water sector.
EWA consists today of member associations from nearly all
European countries, including all countries from Central and
Eastern Europe which joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Other
European countries represented within the EWA are Albania, Croatia,
Ukraine, Serbia and Montenegro, Norway, and Switzerland. The
individual associations represent professionals and technicians for
wastewater and water utilities, academics, consultants and
contractors as well as a growing number of corporate member firms
and enterprises. EWA thus represents about 55,000 professional
individuals working in the broad field of water management.
The aim of EWA is to provide a forum for the discussion of key
technical and policy issues affecting the growing European region.
This is done through regular publications, conferences, workshops,
meetings and special working groups of experts, all organised on an
international basis.
Effective Urban Waste Water Treatment - a
key prerequisite for successful implementation of the Water
Framework Directive, Brussels, 25 Oct 2011
The 7th EWA Brussels conference will focus on Directive
91/271/EEC concerning urban waste water treatment. This has driven
major investments on the collection and treatment of waste water in
all settlement areas (the so-called agglomerations) of more than
2000 inhabitants. As such, the Directive is a key element to
achieving the goals of the Water Framework Directive and is to be
included a component in the programme of measures. Clear deadlines
have been set and transition periods have been granted to the 12
Member States which have joined the EU since 2004 so that deadlines
for them are staggered up to 2015 (in one case until 2018).
The Annual EWA Brussels Conference, in cooperation with the
European Commission DG Environment, is a unique opportunity to take
stock on the implementation of Directive 91/271/EEC and its
contribution in achieving the goals of the Water Framework
Directive.
The event brings together more than one hundred high level water
professionals, experts and decision- makers. As such, the EWA
conference aims to present stakeholders' views and to stream
implementation feedback from those working in the field. With the
organisation of this conference, EWA intends to use the outputs as
part of the ongoing contribution to the EU Water Policy
Fitness Check and 2012 Water Blueprint.
An updated program and further information about the conference can
be found on the conference website
William Dunbar Medal
The medal is on the honour of Dunbar who in september 1892 went
to Hamburg to help deal with a disastrous cholera epidemic. He
improved the detection procedure for the cholera and other pest
pathogens. He development a regular methodology for monitoring the
river and tap water, which was especially significant as this was a
primary means for the spread of cholera. His pioneering research in
city sanitation led the European Water Association to award a
"Dunbar Medal" for outstanding contributions to the waste water
treatment and water protection. The "Dunbar Medal" was first
awarded in 1973, and is awarded at every IFAT show in Munich.
The 2010 winner of the medal is Professor Peter Matthews, former
CIWEM President and member of the EWA Council. Peter was recognised
as a true innovator and committed professional who has worked
tirelessly for over 40 years to bring the industry together to
share a vision of water management.
Peter Matthews, 2010 William Dunbar
Winner
