Georgia: A major water utility forum with participation of SmVaK Ostrava
On 10 and 11 February, a major water utility event was held in the Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi. Participants included key political representatives of Georgia as well as the top management team of Aqualia. In Georgia, Aqualia acquired Georgia Global Utilities and its operation unit, Georgian Water and Power (GWP), and operates now the water infrastructure. It is responsible for complete water infrastructure in Tbilisi, Mtskheta, and Rustavi.
GSU’s assets include 4,300 km of water supplies and 1,700 km of sewage networks. In addition to those assets, GGU/GWP is also in charge of several water power plants and Zhinvali Reservoir. Services are provided to 1.4 million people.
International Water Futures Forum was held in the presence of the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze, and Chief Executive Officer of Agualia Santiago Lafuente.
Key topics discussed during the meetings included sustainability of water infrastructure, care and renewal of water infrastructural, sustainable development, legislative environment, and regulations systems in various countries. Participants talked in discussion blocks about importance of water industry for economy and sustainable development of the country, significance of international investment projects and cross-border cooperation, and defining of price-forming schemes for provided services.
SmVaK Ostrava was represented by the Chief Executive Officer Anatol Pšenička who talked in the discussion panel together with the Minister for Local Development Kakhaber Guledani, Chief Executive Officer of GWP Jose Miguel Santos, Operation Director of Aqualia Rocío Santiago Barrajón, President of the Portugal’s Regulation Office for Water Utilities and Waste (WAREG) Vera Eiro, Chairman of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC) Davit Narmania, and Regional Director for Middle East and Northern Asia in FCC Aqualia Jose Enrique Bofill.
“I was speaking about the regulation scheme applicable to water business in the Czech Republic, and about authorities which are in charge of water sector. I mentioned formation of prices, defining of socially acceptable price levels, consumption of water in the Czech Republic, and a system which is used for renewal of water infrastructure so that it could work in a sustainable way and in a long-termed horizon.
I also spoke about a regulatory framework and the way the Czech Ministries are in charge of it. I believe it is important to share experience at the international level in order to be able to make comparisons.
This clearly shows strengths and weaknesses of paradigms in each country. Sustainability of resources, creation of sufficient funds for provision of top services, and reasonable infrastructure at fair and acceptance prices are absolutely fundamental. It is inspiring that representatives of the Georgian administration and other key institutions have taken active part in this international forum. I really appreciate I could be here at this meeting", Anatol Pšenička says.
Kontakt:
Mgr. Marek Síbrt
spokesman
Severomoravské vodovody a kanalizace Ostrava a.s.
28. října 1235/169, Mariánské Hory, 709 00 Ostrava.
phone +420 725 500 509
e-mail marek.sibrt@smvak.cz
www.smvak.cz