Water Technology Alliance

Cooperation between the US and Denmark kicks off with knowledge-sharing event

Water Technology Alliance (WTA) California will kick-off on Monday, April 4 in San Francisco, Ca. with an inaugural conference titled "Water / More For Less - Sharing knowledge and best practices from the US and Denmark."

WTA California is a transatlantic cooperation between the United States and Denmark to share knowledge and develop new water technology solutions to solve the water challenges that climate change creates. 

The Water / More For Less conference brings together a wide range of American and Danish water experts and decision-makers to help progress the WTA’s ambitions for solutions to water resource challenges. The alliance, which Danish water technology company Kamstrup is part of, will initially focus its efforts on California water challenges, including water resource scarcity and energy management. 

“I am looking forward to sharing San Francisco's story with our colleagues from Denmark, and learning more about their united water approach at the Water / More For Less program on April 4," says Karen Kubick, Director of the Wastewater Enterprise Capital Improvement Program for the City and County of San Francisco's Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) & Water Environment Federation (WEF) Board of Trustee Member. “This type of in-person cultural knowledge exchange, while rare, allows the world's most sustainable practices to be shared and implemented across the globe so we can accomplish more together.”
The alliance is both important and timely with regards to addressing the water resource challenges California and the nation faces. Most recently in December 2015, the White House Water Innovation Roundtable Discussion brought together international leaders who recognized the severe impact that climate change has on water resources.

As to why Denmark is the right “sister country” to support the US’s initiatives towards water resource management, the country has a stellar roster of water technology companies, government agencies, and educational and research institutions in the water sector that are constantly developing new, sustainable solutions for the future handling of water. 

Marselisborg Wastewater Treatment Plant in Denmark's second largest city, Aarhus, is a good example of the country’s unique abilities to run self-sustaining water operations. The plant produces 90% more electricity and heat than it consumes, even without added organic matter to the plant, as is common in the US. Denmark is also a leading market in relation to managing water resources sustainably and reducing non-revenue water to secure drinking water for future generations.
The WTA California is supported by the Danish Trade Council in Chicago and The Danish Industry Foundation. The Minister for Science, Technology, Information and Higher Education of Denmark, Ulla Tørnæs, will participate in the Water / More For Less conference.
 
“I am happy to see that Danish water technology companies have the expertise to help with the demand caused by the drought in California. The collaboration is a good example of how Danish research can take on international tasks beyond the borders of Denmark. Denmark and California can benefit from each other’s knowledge, and in the meantime also create jobs”, Minister for Higher Education and Science Ulla Tørnæs says. 

Among the members of WTA California is Kamstrup, smart ultrasonic water meter manufacturer with US headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., who sees valuable opportunities to make a difference for public water systems in the US.

Members of WTA California include Aarhus Water, coordinator of the alliance, Kamstrup, Applied Biomimetic, Danfoss, Grundfos, Ramboll, Smith Innovation, SKYTEM, DHI and Leif Koch A/S.

“It will be interesting to put our Danish expertise in cooperation along with American specialists in their environment,” says Senior Vice President Lars Bo Kristensen, who is responsible for Kamstrup's business in the United States. “We can both learn a lot, and we can help Americans to more quickly reach the goal of sustainable solutions. We will also keep your eye out for potential acquisitions or partnerships to strengthen our position and complement our organic growth in the US.”

For more information

Senior Vice President, North America, Lars Bo Kristensen tel: +1(404)904-5547