Clean Water Technologies & Projects

After air, water is one of the most critical and vital elements for sustainability of life on this planet. With humankind’s existence, progress and development; effective utilization, management, processing, treatment, storage and conservation of clean water resources is essential for sustainable economic development and growth. Whether it is developed or developing countries, the time has come for various stakeholders such as policymakers, industry and consumers to address the challenges facing the macroeconomics, microeconomics and development of clean water technologies and projects. Under current and forecast economic conditions, it becomes very important to focus on; fiscal, financial, market and business fundamentals with equal emphasis on sustainability. There is so much discussion today on sustainability, clean water and related areas. Beyond pure rhetoric from various stakeholders worldwide, sustainability must be based on sound balance and equilibrium of three key fundamental factors or the “3 P’s” or “Planet-People-Profit”. At the foundation of the “3 P’s” is a fair, balanced and equitable baseline which is deeply rooted in the famous saying from time immemorial; “Don’t Waste Time, Energy, Money, Water, and Food”. This really translates into reducing wastage and striving for; “Common Sense”, “Common Ground” and “Common Goal”.

Thus, beyond rhetorical speeches, practical and realistic efforts must be directed to minimizing wastage of natural water resources while achieving an optimal water mix with comprehensive and integrated water policy covering “all of the above” clean water sources (conventional / alternate / renewable) without disqualification of any one source. The clean water industry is extremely complex, sensitively balanced and a highly integrated sector along its entire value chain and life cycle from raw materials to exploration, production, transmission, and distribution to wholesale and retail consumers. In this context, the business and market fundamentals of clean water technologies and projects have always followed some very key fundamental and critical phases, which if altered, lead to unsustainable technologies and projects. Successful clean water project asset development follows three (3) critical phases: Project Development (feasibility, permits & clearances, contracts, and financing); Project Execution (engineering, procurement, construction, startup and commissioning); Project Operations (facility operations, management, and operations). Many well-minded enthusiasts such as project developers, promoters and investors as well as up-and-coming “clean & green” entrepreneurs are aiming to take advantage of the potential opportunities from the clean water sector. In order to achieve true sustainability of projects, it is vital to address the critical phases of clean water projects in light of the current economic conditions.

The project development phase must be funded by promoters, project developers and equity investors. In other words, balance sheet strength is essential for undertaking any clean water projects. Similarly, development of clean water technologies also must follow due course as venture capital is scare. In today’s economic conditions, it is very difficult to fund technology and project development costs with debt in the form of either senior or subordinated debt including working capital lines of credit. Design and implementation of a viable project structure is vital to the success of any clean water project. Proven Business-Revenue model(s) and structure(s) for effective project development along with funding and financing sources must be utilized. An effective comprehensive risk analysis must be undertaken by stakeholders to assess, quantify, allocate and distribute associated risks thereby resulting in a proper mitigation plan based on a viable methodology and approach. Essential next steps must be clearly defined and undertaken by various stakeholders in order for any clean water technology and project to be implemented successfully and achieve true and real sustainability in the marketplace.