The SWAN Forum and WaterLinks co-hosted the second webinar in their series, “Wastewater Digitalization: From Regional Lessons to Plant-Level Impact,” bringing together 105 participants from across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Africa.

The webinar opened with Dorai Narayana, former Head of Planning and Engineering at Indah Water Konsortium, Malaysia and Board Member of WaterLinks, Philippines, who set the regional context for digitalization in the Asia-Pacific region. He highlighted why transformation is increasingly urgent for water and sanitation utilities and shared Malaysia’s 30-year journey from fragmented, manual operations to fully data-driven systems with predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and real-life network performance tracking today.

Building on this perspective, Rahul Chhillar of Hunter Water, Australia showcased how digital optimization at their Belmont wastewater treatment plant increased clarifier capacity by 23%, achieved significant energy savings, and deferred a USD 20 million capital upgrade.

Daniel Novarino of Società Metropolitana Acque Torino, S.p.A. shared Italy’s approach, combining energy monitoring, advanced biological control, and modernized machinery to reduce energy use while meeting EU nutrient removal requirements.

The webinar highlighted that digitalization is more than technology; it enables utilities to turn data into actionable insights, optimize processes, enhance resilience, reduce costs, and support sustainable service delivery. When combined with strong process knowledge and engaged staff, wastewater digitalization delivers measurable, plant-level impact while shaping the future of utility operations across regions. Speakers encouraged participants to start their digitalization journey now taking into account specific objectives they want to achieve.

You can access the webinar recording and presentations here: https://swan-forum.com/publications/swan-waterlinks-webinar-wastewater-digitalisation/

WaterLinks is pleased to announce that two of its Phase 1 EU-WOP Programme partnerships have been approved for funding under the Expanding Window of EU-WOP Phase 2:

• Supporting Odisha Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Water Company of Odisha in Upgrading Capacities in Wastewater and Faecal Sludge Management

• Strengthening the Capacity of Perumda PALD Banjarmasin to Implement Sanitation Strategy on Wastewater Services for Kota Banjarmasin

This approval recognizes the strong foundation established in Phase 1 of the project, which set the stage for the next four years of impactful WOPs. Together with our partners, we will scale up capacity development, deepen digital transformation, and further enhance wastewater and sanitation service delivery in the state of Odisha, Indi,a and Banjarmasin, Indonesia.

Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.p.A, Italy and Indah Water Konsortium, Malaysia, as mentors, alongside GWOPA/UN-Habitat, will now enter into a 48-month Agreement of Cooperation, with preparatory steps underway to finalize the legal agreements and commence implementation as soon as possible.

WaterLinks is excited about this next phase and remains committed to supporting its partners in delivering sustainable, high-impact water and sanitation services across Asia.

The EU-WOP Programme, funded by the European Union and managed by GWOPA at UN-Habitat, launched in 2020, supported 22 partnerships across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. EU-WOP Phase 2 will run until 2030 with €14 million in EU support, expanding successful Phase 1 WOPs and supporting new partnerships across these regions.

Following the completion of the Diagnostic and Enabling Visit (DEV) funded by GWOPA under its EU-WOP Programme in Khulna, Bangladesh, the partners under the Strengthening Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authority’s (KWASA) and Khulna City Corporation’s (KCC) Institutional Capacities for Sanitation Service Delivery (K2-S/WOP) application met with Hubert Blom of the European Union Delegation (EUD) Bangladesh to present key observations, updated work areas and outcomes for the proposed EU-funded Sanitation and Water Operator Partnership for Khulna City. The meeting sought to obtain the EUD’s comments and perspectives on the application to ensure alignment with its priority programs in the country. The DEV Mission was conducted on 1–5 February 2026 by Indah Water Konsortium as mentor, WaterLinks, and ICLEI South Asia as facilitators, with KCC and KWASA as mentees.

The meeting reviewed the proposed four-year partnership, which takes an end-to-end approach to sanitation: strengthening KCC’s fecal sludge management operations while preparing KWASA for the operation of two sewage treatment plants expected in 2027. Discussions focused on agency coordination, customer mapping, financial sustainability for desludging services, and operational readiness for wastewater management.

Mr. Blom welcomed the initiative, noting its potential relevance for EU-supported water and sanitation efforts. He highlighted the value of learning from Malaysia’s recent sanitation reforms and encouraged continued dialogue, regular updates, and potential collaboration if the proposal moves forward.

A diagnostic and enabling visit funded by GWOPA under its EU-WOP Program is currently being conducted by partners Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), WaterLinks, and ICLEI South Asia to Khulna, Bangladesh. The mission is being carried out from 1–5 February 2026. The proposed Sanitation Operators Partnership (S/WOP) has both Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (KWASA) and Khulna City Corporation (KCC) as mentees covering sewerage and faecal sludge management.

The mission is assessing the sanitation and wastewater management systems, operational practices, and institutional capacities of KCC and KWASA to focus the partnership proposal to address the most pressing challenges of mentees. Day 1 focused on KCC, and Day 2 on KWASA, with meetings held with key personnel to discuss operational, technical, and institutional capacities.

Site visits complemented these discussions, including to KCC’s Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP), KWASA’s two STP construction sites, treatment plant laboratory, and pumping station projects, giving the team a comprehensive understanding of current operations and opportunities for improvement. The remainder of the visit will continue with discussions with relevant personnel to refine and enhance the proposal.

Yolanda Gomez joined the IWA's Water and Development Congress Exhibit as a Trade Visitor held in Bangkok, Thailand from December 8-12, 2025.

The event drew more than 100 exhibitors composed of government entities, academic institutions, and a host of suppliers of water and wastewater equipment and technologies. Complemented by poster sessions, visitors gained insights to state-of-the-art technology, research results, and programs/projects being undertaken by research outfits. The posters were particularly helpful as they allowed visitors to judge the field results of ongoing research to address water and wastewater management challenges.

Trade Visitors were encouraged to join the business forum, which highlighted research findings and showcased technology applications through various projects. One of these was “Share the Load Initiative” developed by the Asian Development Bank to encourage efficiencies in the laundry business at household, commercial, and industrial level so that energy, environment, and public health gains are optimized.

WaterLinks convened and moderated (by Arjun Thapan) a session on the role that WOPs could play in the creating and scaling up of partnerships. The session took place on 28 October 2026 during the 6th GWOPA Congress in Bonn, Germany, and brought together regional and national WOP platforms, utilities, and sector leaders to discuss how WOPs are driving measurable improvements in utility performance and becoming integral to local water and sanitation planning.

The session featured four partnership case studies that highlighted tangible results from WOPs and the support of regional and national platforms:

• S/WOP between Indah Water Konsortium, Malaysia and Perumda PALD Banjarmasin, Indonesia
• S/WOP between Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.p.A., Italy and Odisha Water --Supply and Sewerage Board, India
• Ethiopian Water Operators Partnership
• WOP-Colombia

Each case presented key operational outcomes, including enhanced service delivery, improved operational capacity, and strengthened institutional collaboration. The session underscored how WOPs foster local ownership, knowledge exchange, and long-term management improvements in public utilities in different contexts.

A panel discussion followed, featuring representatives from WOP-LAC, AfWASA, and PERPAMSI. Panelists explored how WOPs can be embedded into government WASH strategies and financing frameworks, ensuring sustainability beyond short-term technical exchanges. What was clear was that partnerships needed to be both local and external. Reliance on external partnership without securing the requisite local support was unlikely to work. WASH services are a local responsibility – utilities need strong local partnerships that can help leverage external partnerships that will bring in technology and finance.

On the occasion of GWOPA's 6th Congress in Bonn, Germany, a plenary session was held on 28 October 2025 titled “Turning the Tide: Building Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Systems”. Arjun Thapan joined the panel to discuss solutions for strengthening climate resilience in the water and sanitation sector.

The plenary brought together voices from international organizations, national governments, and community networks to share ideas on how utilities and city systems can adapt to increasing water-related risks such as droughts, floods, and pollution.

Mr. Thapan highlighted the ready availability of finance, certainly across a very liquid Asia. However, the problem lay in the inability of utilities and local governments in preparing projects that could access such finance. He emphasized the critical role of local governments. These were the best partners that utilities had. If utilities and local governments were unable to work together difficulties in accessing climate finance would get only get worse. In short, he emphasized that “resilient utilities need more than technology—they need partnerships that bring together technical expertise, financing, and policy support.” Fostering such partnerships through dedicated projects was central to urban water security.

The plenary concluded with a shared call to integrate water and sanitation more fully into national climate policies, promote innovative financing mechanisms, and provide partnership-based support to WASH utilities so as to advance sustainable, climate-resilient urban development.

On the occasion of the 6th GWOPA Congress in Bonn, Germany on 27 October 2025, WaterLinks participated in a Training Workshop on Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Strategies for Urban Water Service Providers Across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The workshop gathered utilities, water professionals, and development partners to exchange experiences and practical solutions for reducing NRW, a critical issue affecting the efficiency and sustainability of urban water systems worldwide.

Mai Flor presented case studies from Asia, that showed how utilities in the region are implementing effective technical and economic approaches to reduce and manage NRW. Her presentation highlighted the value of peer-to-peer learning and collaboration through WOPs in strengthening utility performance and promoting sustainable practices. The Asian case studies featured:

• WOP between Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, Bangladesh and PDAM Surya Sembada Kota Surabaya, Indonesia
• WOP between Danang Water Supply Joint Stock Company, Vietnam and Manila Water Company Inc., Philippines

The workshop featured regional case studies from Europe, Asia, and Africa, with each utility sharing its strategies, success factors, and challenges in tackling NRW. Participants then engaged in small group discussions, reflecting on their utilities’ current NRW management practices, challenges, and the potential applicability of the strategies presented. The session also featured the following case studies:

• SMAT, Italy – Non-Revenue Water Strategies for Urban Areas: Technical and Economic Elements
• Ethiopia – NRW Reduction Strategy in Gambella, Assosa, and Semera–Logia
• Ghana Water Ltd. – Path to NRW Reduction: Regional Reforms for Technical and Financial Gains

Organized by the German Water Partnership and the African Water and Sanitation Association, the Diversity Session — held on 27 October 2026 during the 6th GWOPA Congress in Bonn, Germany — emphasized that diversity encompasses much more than gender representation. It encompasses a wide spectrum that includes lateral entrants to the workforce, young professionals, and the active integration of individuals living with disabilities, as well as those who are gender diverse. The session emphasized that diversity is not merely an ethical or social responsibility – it is a fundamental driver of organizational effectiveness, innovation, and resilience.

Evidence from the case studies presented and the ensuing discussion during the session concluded that when teams are diverse, the benefits are shared across the organization, fostering broader perspectives, improved problem-solving, and stronger overall performance. However, achieving true diversity requires more than awareness – it demands a cultural transformation in leadership attitudes, supported by comprehensive legislative frameworks and transparent enforcement mechanisms. Only through sustained commitment at both organizational and policy levels can diversity be meaningfully embedded and its full potential realized.

WaterLinks, through its S/WOP between Societa Metropolitana Acque Torino, Hydroaid, Politecnico di Torino of Italy, and Odisha Water Supply and Sanitation Board (OWSSB), India, presented its work on Women as Gamechangers in Wastewater Management. The presentation provided a solid example highlighting the unique role women can play in the area of sanitation and wastewater management. OWSSB’s initiative highlighted gender mainstreaming promoting broader diversity with the inclusion of women and transgender persons in this notable work.

Mai Flor participated in a session on regulatory frameworks for water and sanitation services during the GWOPA 6th Congress in Bonn, Germany, on 27 October 2025. The session featured presentations on the World Health Organization’s regulatory roadmap, Kenya’s experience in embedding equity in its regulatory arrangements, and ESAWAS’ regional benchmarking initiative. Panel discussions highlighted the importance of strong, context-appropriate regulation, equitable tariffs, data-driven decision-making, and digital monitoring tools. Regulation was increasingly being viewed, and valued, as a tool for enhancing utility performance, securing accountability, and ensuring fair play amongst all constituencies.

Mai Flor demonstrated how Water and Sanitation Operator Partnerships facilitate peer learning, strengthen regulatory practices, and improve utility performance. Her arguments derived from WaterLinks’ recent experience on a project for regulatory reform in South Asia (India, Bangladesh, and Nepal) supported by the Gates Foundation.

WaterLinks team comprising Mai Flor, Yolanda Gomez, Patricia Policar, and Arjun Thapan visited Bonn, Germany, from 26-29 October to participate in the 6th Global WOPs Congress organized by GWOPA. Mai and Arjun first attended GWOPA’s steering committee meeting on 26 October.

There was discussion on the focus areas of the next iteration of GWOPA’s strategic plan 2026-2029. Finance remains the most difficult issue. In light of the deteriorating aid climate, it is becoming increasingly difficult to raise resources to finance WOPs. Clearly, UN-Habitat, that houses GWOPA, has a major role to play in raising resources.

WaterLinks and other members offered to assist in this, especially with regional IFIs, e.g., Asian Development Bank, which typically finance a large part of global WASH investments, where WOPs can be useful initiators to build required capacities for successful implementation outcomes.

GWOPA also encouraged members to participate in the World Urban Forum in Baku in May 2026 and in the Water Conference UAE, later in the year. GWOPA is working towards getting water and sanitation included as a subject matter for discussion at WUF.