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  • The world's largest meeting around water

    One week to increase global mobilisation around questions concerning water...   

     Programme of the forum

     Onema newsletter

    On the Onema stand :
    5 questions 5 minutes
    about the French national opinion poll on the preservation of water resources and aquatic environments.

     Practical info ; Access map

    more information

  • Officials Sides events

    Evaluation of public water and sanitation service performance is a key part of innovative governance systems

    As a follow-up to the official session for target 2 of the "Good governance" priority, Onema will organise an event in the international section of the forum to present various systems for performance evaluation and monitoring that now exist in the world, how they operate, their limits and the potential means to improve them. French local governments, European and African regulatory organisations and the Scientific and technical association for water and the environment (ASTEE) will discuss the need for performance evaluation and monitoring, and the various systems intended to provide citizens with easily understandable information to ensure transparency and accessibility. Onema will present the information system for public water and sanitation services and the first annual report from the French national observatory, which compiles on the national level the data and performance indicators collected from the water and sanitation services throughout France.


    "Evaluation needs and indicators on service performance"

    To find out more and register click here

    Congress centre, Thursday, 15 March from 13.15 to 14.15


    more information

  • Side events at the French pavilion

    At the French pavilion, Onema is organising and will participate in a number of side events, as well as welcome visitors to a stand shared with the Water agencies and the Ecology ministry.

    Ecological engineering to restore the good status of aquatic environments

    Ecological engineering is the means to reconcile economic development and environmental restoration. The side event organised by Onema will highlight remarkable French initiatives such as buffer zones that limit pollutant transfers and "dragonfly" zones that promote the purifying capacity of environments.

    With Onema, the invited guests (research institutes, engineering firms, SMEs, competitiveness clusters, professional organisations) will have a chance to discuss the knowledge acquired, the difficulties encountered and the issues involved in the new approaches, from the R&D phase through to their effective implementation in the field.

    French pavilion, Tuesday, 13 March from 13.00 to 14.20

    Partnerships to protect drinking-water abstractions
    The professional federation of water companies (FP2E) and the permanent assembly of the Chamber of agriculture (APCA) will organise a side event to emphasise the importance of partnerships in sustainable projects to protect drinking-water abstractions.From initial diagnostic studies to implementation, stakeholders including farmers, the road and park services of local governments and infrastructure managers (highways, railroads), etc. are working together on projects to improve the quality of drinking water at the point of abstraction

    French pavilion, Wednesday, 14 March from 10.40 to 12.00

    Transparency and solidarity in public water services
    Monitoring of public water and sanitation management is the means to ensure transparency and develop the confidence of local stakeholders and citizens. These advantages are also clear to stakeholders in France and Europe, who support international-solidarity efforts to set up drinking-water distribution systems. The round table, organised by the Paris-region water board (SEDIF), will be an occasion for organisations from Europe, Africa and Asia to present their monitoring systems. Onema will provide information on the national observatory on water and sanitation services, intended as a means to enhance transparency.

    French pavilion, Thursday, 15 March from 17.00 to 18.30

    French experience in evaluating water and sanitation service performance
    The Scientific and technical association for water and the environment (ASTEE) and Onema will organise a round table on the topic of governance and the performance of public water and sanitation services in France. It will bring together local stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector, such as the Paris-region water board (SEDIF), the Sanitation board for the Paris region (SIAAP), the Hauts-de-Seine departmental council and the National federation of local governments organising public services (FNCCR). Onema will present the national observatory on public water and sanitation services, established to evaluate and monitor performance, and the first national report on the organisation, management and performance of the French public water and sanitation services.

    French pavilion, Thursday, 15 March from 15.00 to 16.20
    All the events at the French pavilion

  • The French water sector to demonstrate solutions

    French stakeholders in the water sector have joined forces in the French water partnership (FWP) and will be present at the World water forum on a 900 square metre stand. Four aspects of French know-how and solutions will be presented, 1) river-basin management and the organisation of public water policy in France to achieve good water status, 2) the right to water and the performance levels of public water and sanitation services, 3) international cooperation and the 1% solidarity budget to fund access to water and sanitation, and 4) a number of remarkable initiatives in the field of research and innovation.

    The first topic is managed by Onema, the Water agencies and the Ecology ministry, who will also share on the same site, with the Water offices, a 40 square metre stand to present their respective roles and missions. Visitors will discover the decentralised projects for international co-operation and how the Observatory on public water and sanitation services operates. They will also learn about the history of public water policy and its stakeholders, and take part, if they wish, in a poll on major water issues.

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ONEMA AT THE 6th WORLD WATER FORUM

The World water forum 2012, organised by France, the World water council and the City of Marseille, will be a time for solutions. The goal of the 6th Forum is to propose realistic solutions and trigger their effective implementation. All stakeholders in the water sector are invited to play an active role in the forum, which will take place from 12 to 17 March.
Parc Chanot - Marseille Congress centre

Go to the Forum site         Parc Chanot map         Pocket programme        Press release       

After having participated intensely in the preparation of the forum, Onema, the central organisation in France for water and aquatic environments, will also make its experience and know-how available during the week of meetings dedicated to water issues. It will take part in work groups for the Europe regional process and the thematic process. It will also make contributions to official sessions and be present at the French pavilion with its partners.

SCIENCE FOR WATER POLICIES (SPI)

Onema is the manager on the European level of the SPI (science and policy interface) group. That is why it is involved in two SPI study groups at the World water forum and will preside a session titled "When science and policy join forces".

Contact : Frédérique Martini, session organiser

Facilitate discussions on water issues between scientists and decision-makers

"The ambitious water goals set by the international community raise complex scientific challenges that will require new approaches in relations between scientists and political decision-makers. The design and implementation of a worldwide programme to improve dissemination of scientific knowledge and enhance water governance is one of the targets of the World water forum (WWF), coordinated in part by Onema.

Within the Condition for success 3 (CS3), "Creating favourable conditions" , Onema is in charge of Target 1.

Coordinated by Onema, UNU-INWEH, UNESCO-IHE

 

 

 


Promoting technological innovation, the science-policy interface and dialogue between researchers and water managers

"European policy on water management is confronted with a number of challenges, including the restoration of water to good ecological status as defined by the WFD. Meeting these challenges will require technological innovation, the production of new scientific knowledge and partnerships between research, decision-makers and water managers.


Within the Europe regional process, IOWater has been put in charge of organising Specific target 10.

SPI, promoting technological innovation, the science-policy interface and dialogue between researchers and water managers

Coordination: International office for water

"A great deal of experience has been gained in Europe and around the world and should be made available to all. This experience will be presented during the joint session for these two targets, titled "When science and policy join forces".

 

    Session titled "Science-policy interface : when science and policy join forces"
 Wednesday, 14 March, 11.00 - 16.30, Congress centre (garden level), Room Endoume 3  
more

Registration and practical information

Onema document on Science and water policy in Europe

 

PUBLIC WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES

The observatory on public water and sanitation services is managed by Onema; the agency will participate in two sessions during which it will present the first annual report from the observatory (data and indicators).

 

 

 

The observaotory website

Contact : Maria Salvetti, Eric Bréjoux

 

Measure service performance

"One of the forum targets to achieve good water governance in the world (a key condition for forum success) is to obtain a commitment from the participating countries to adopt governance tools, indicators and the means to evaluate the performance of water and sanitation services in order to monitor water policies. Several events will be devoted to this target during the forum. Concrete solutions to monitor service performance will be presented, including the observatory for water and sanitation services, coordinated by Onema. It will be an occasion to review the first national report on the organisation, management and performance of the French public services.


Within the Condition for success 1 (CS1), "Good governance", Onema is involved in Target 2.

 

Measuring the performance of water policies

Coordinated by the Scientific and technical association for water and the environment (ASTEE)

At round table no. 1 on performance indicators and tools, Maria Salvetti will present the information system for public water and sanitation services and the first annual report from the French national observatory, which compiles on the national level the performance data and indicators collected from the water and sanitation services throughout France. The complete report as well as the four-page summary will be available for consultation at the French pavilion. They compile on the national level the performance data and indicators collected from the water and sanitation services.

    Session on "Improving the governance and performance of public water and sanitation services" ,  Wednesday, 14 March from 14.30 to 16.30 Congress centre (level 1), Morgiou  
more

 

Some of the documents that will be available on the Onema stand at the French pavilion are listed below.

 1     Leaks in water distribution system

 2     Public water and sanitation services

 3     The bill for water and sanitation services

 4     About water and sanitation services


A mobile application for Android and i.OS has been developed to enable access to geolocated data. It will be presented at the forum

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Access to water for all

The recent recognition of access to drinking water as a basic human right is a historic step, however its implementation, which depends on practical aspects, will require a great deal of work. One of the key challenges for the 6th World water forum will be to create the links required for effective action between the human-rights and the water sectors.

During Official session 1.1., "Guaranteeing the right and access to water for all", organised by the French development agency, Onema will participate Target 5 in dealing with monitoring water supplies..

Coordinated by the French development agency

 

    Monitoring of water services delivery: a key success factor for sustainability and access to water for all,  Wednesday, 14 March from 11.00 to 13.00  
more

 

Presentation of the Observatory on water services
The observatory in brief

    Sides events

  • Thursday, 15 March from 15.00 to 16.20: French experience in evaluating water and sanitation service performance  
  • Thursday, 15 March from 17.00 to 18.30:Transparency and solidarity in public water services

    Press conference
  Wednesday, 14 March from 12.00 to 13.00 / Marseilleveyre room, Palais des événements 

Agenda        Invitation to the press

 

RESPOND TO CLIMATE AND GLOBAL CHANGES IN AN URBANISING WORLD

Onema supports current projects to reduce the impact of climate change on aquatic living communities and hydrographic regimes, and makes its know-how and experience available for the corresponding water policies. The agency will take part in a number of sessions and present the Strateau software program at the Solutions village.

Contact : Pascal Maugis

Climate change and water resources

Over the past decades, urban populations have exploded and large metropolitan areas have emerged. The increases in urban populations have generated considerable demand for water services, food, energy and space. The growing populations and their developing economies need protection against the risks of flooding, water shortages and rising ocean levels. These risks will become increasingly unforeseeable and intense due to the larger issues at hand and climate change.

As part of Priority for action 3.3., "Respond to climate and global changes in an urbanising world", Onema has contributed to the preparatory work for Target 2.

Coordinated by the Water academy and UNESCO-IHP

    Session on "Respond to uncertainties caused by climate and global changes for water planning and management",
 Tuesday, 13 March from 11.00 to 13.00, Palais de l’Europe, Hall 8  
more

    "Scenarios and models for water management, a contribution or a complicated factor ?" Core group 3.3, Round tables (including 332),
 Tuesday, 13 March from 17.00 to 19.00   
more

Strateau

" Strateau is a decision-aid tool that can help a given area (management unit, river basin) to quantify the water resources available to meet demands for various uses. Taking into account a set of parameters (spatial, temporal, etc.), Strateau can formulate scenarios by modifying different factors, e.g. changes in farming practices (irrigation, crop selection), climate, population, industrial practices, alternate resources, construction of a dam, etc., and integrating environmental needs.
More on Water Embassy website

Coordinated by the International Commission for Irrigation and Drainage/French National Committee and the American Water Resources Association

Strateau will be presented at the forum as a solution for quantitative water management in France and around the Mediterranean Sea, an area encountering high and chronic hydric stress.
Balance multiple uses through Integrated Water Resource Management, Onema is involved in Target 5, "Global Water Partnership"

     "How Can Models be Used to Help Decision Makers Implement IWRM?" More details
 Wednesday, 14 March from 11.00 to 12.00
PC 12 - Sormiou > Palais des Congrès (level 1)  
more

     "YI2 Youth Solutions: STRATEAU project"
 Tuesday, 13 March from 8.30 to 10.30
PC 14 - Patio 4 > Palais des Congrès (level 1)  
more

     About Strateau
 Monday, 12 March - Village of Solutions (Factory Pavilion) 

 Tuesday, 13 March from 13.00 to 14.00 - Agora 

 Thursday, 15 March  

 

PROMOTE GREEN GROWTH AND THE VALUE OF ECOSYSTEMS

Contact : Sarah Hernandez

"Rational use of water resources and protection of the ecosystem services provided to humans by aquatic environments is an important issue given population growth, exploding cities and the resulting demand for water. Green growth and acknowledgement of the value of ecosystem services are a major priority of the World water forum. Onema has worked extensively during the preparatory phase of the forum on two specific targets for this priority, i.e. economic instruments for better management of water resources and integration of the value of water and ecosystem services in development projects..

Sustainable funding

As part of Priority for action 2.4, "Promote green growth and ecosystem services", Onema is involved in Target 3 , "Sustainable funding".
Animation of the session : Sarah Hernandez

More on the session

Coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

    "Managing Water for (Green) Growth: Economic Incentives and Financing ",
 13 March 2012, from 11:00 to 13:00
 PC 1 - Endoume 1+2
 Palais des Congrès (Rez de Jardin Level) 
more

Green growth

As part of Priority for action 2.4, "Promote green growth and ecosystem services", Onema is involved in Target 4 , "Value ecosystem services".

Coordinated by the Department of Natural Resources and Risk Economics of the French Ecology ministry and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development

    "Evaluate water and ecosystems to ensure the sustainability of environments",
  Wednesday, 14 March from 11.00 to 16.30  
more

Evaluating the ecosystem services of aquatic environments, a brief presentation of the scientific, political and operational issues.

On green growth, see this excerpt from News IRWnet, , the point of view of an expert: Sara Hernadez

 

Hydromorphology at the World water forum

Hydromorphological restoration is seen by the Water framework directive as an important factor in achieving good water status. Onema has made it a priority and invested heavily in preparing two sessions dealing with the topic.

Contact : Josée Peress , Philippe Dupont

Improve the quality of water resources and ecosystems

For the European process, Onema has worked on preparing a forum session on hydromorphology and the preservation/restoration of rivers. Four aspects will be discussed during the session, land use, sharing of experience and good practices, better information for the public and tourism. Onema is in charge of the part on better informing the public and contacted the Water agencies to highlight their work in this field. A preparatory seminar was organised in November 2011 in Slovenia with approximately 20 European organisations to discuss the issues, collect ideas and set up an action plan.

For more information on the symposium "Forging Targets and Solutions for Rivers and Water Ecosystem Restoration, Ljubljana, 16-18 November 2011"

As part of Priority for action 3.1, "Improve the quality of water resources and ecosystems", Onema participated in the preparation of Target 4

Coordinated by Wetlands International

Onema is also active in Target 8 of the Europe regional process.

Coordinated by Wetlands International

During the forum session, interested countries may commit to implementing the four aspects of this topic.

For more information on the session "Healthy rivers through adoption of best practice ecological restoration and strategic land use planning in integrated basin management"

more

Why is it needed to restore river continuity ?

More about The book "Elements d’hydromophologie fluviale".

Summary of the book

 

Water in the French overseas departments

Onema is present in all French departments.
The agency is mandated to organise financial solidarity between river basins, notably by funding drinking-water and sanitation infrastructure in the overseas territories.
The goal of this solidarity project is to upgrade all urban wastewater-treatment plants and restore water to good status.
It is reinforced by funding of R&D programmes dealing with the management of water resources, wastewater treatment, ecotoxicology and water contamination, and WFD implementation. For the latter, the goal is to develop new methods for bioindicators, hydromorphology and ecological continuity suited to tropical environments.

L'Onema will participate in two round table on these thematics

Within the Europe regional process Onema is involved in the Specific Europe Region Priority Target N°11 : "Adapt Water management to the specificities of European outermost regions."
Indeed, the EU territory includes eight regions that are geographically very distant from the European continent but that still form an integral part of the EU member countries they belong to. Known as the "outermost regions" (OMR), they are covered by EU law and the other rights and duties associated with EU membership. Hence, developing specific strategies for water management in outermost regions and defining ways to finance and implement them effectively should become a top-priority of the European Union. More on the session

Coordinated by Martinique Water Office

Research & development activities in French overseas departments

Contact:Patrick Flammarion

Onema will present his actions relative to water and aquatic environment in French overseas departments and notably tropical islands that must face up the increase of human pressure on underground water ressource in the context of climate change. Onema supports also targeted research on water to implement the Water framework directive (WFD) in the French overseas departments (FOD). Read more

Basin solidarity transfers for financing water infrastructures and services in the French overseas

Contact:Alexis Delaunay

Onema will present the mechanism of basin solidarity witch comes in addition to European funds and local investment efforts to assist the French overseas departments (FOD) with their wastewater-treatment projects in order to avoid EU penalties. Read more



     "EU11 Getting Specific: Adapting Water Policy and Legislation to the Specificities of European Outermost Regions"
 Thursday, 15 March from 11.00 to 13.00 PEu 5 - Europa 5 > Palais de l'Europe 
more

 

Onema will be present at the French pavilion with the Water agencies and the Ecology ministry


Contact : Céline Piquier - Gisèle Parfait

On the Onema stand

    "5 questions 5 minutes" about the French national opinion poll on the preservation of water resources and aquatic environments

    The history of french water policy

Some of the documents that will be available on the Onema stand at the French pavilion are listed below :

Thematic issues

Institutional publications

National framework for water data

Reconciling divergent energy and environmental needs. The example of the Dordogne river

Economic instruments to support water policy in Europe: paving the way for research and future development

Ecological services valuation for aquatic environments

A collection of links about key themes of the WWF :

The Carteau site, a panorama of the people and organisations involved in R&D for water and aquatic environments
More information about carteau
The portal for technical documents on water

More on the World water Forum