Participation in the MED Programme

In the Fundación Comunidad Valenciana - Región Europea (FCVRE) we’d like to show you the interest of the Valencian stakeholders in participating in the MED call, which has recently opened the following priorities:

Reopening of the call on programme objective 2.

- Objective 2.3: 'Prevention of maritime risks and strengthening of maritime safety'

Call for strategic projects on priority axis 3.

- Objective 3.1 'Improvement of maritime accessibility and transit capacity'

- Objective 3.2 'Support of the use of information technology for better accessibility and territorial cooperation'

In the FCVRE we work as an active partner to facilitate the creation of European consortiums and spread Valencian initiatives among European regions through active networking. We kindly ask you to count on us if you’re willing to submit a project proposal to this call, and you’re interested in involving any Valencian entity which would provide the expected input. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any queries you may have:

Elena Pertegaz Álvarez. Fundación Comunidad Valenciana - Región Europea. Edmond Mesens, 7a - B-1040 Bruxelles/Brussel. Tel: +32 2 282 41 60, Fax: +32 2 282 41 61. epertegaz@delcomval.be

A company proposes new technology to transport water by undersea pipe

The system is named submariver®. Its principle consists in taking of fresh water from river mouths, which can be, at least partially, abstracted just upstream the salt wedge without significant impact (no more downstream issues). It is then transported by underwater pipes parallel to the coast (across the sea for islands).

The system is in phase of development, and could be implemented in pilot projects. The company is in contact with several regional and state authorities.

This patented system is structured around a special and very flexible pipe that adapts to the seabed profile without preparation of the ground. It is laid on the sea bottom (typically at 200m depth) and ballasted. At destination in coastal areas, it is distributed through the local network after usage-specific treatment.

This system can also be used to transport farther away water flowing out of sewage treatment plants in coastal areas that pour their treated water into the sea and where there is no local reuse demand. Usually, these flows are much smaller than those available at river mouths, but they should nevertheless be considered as well, albeit cautiously in light of their real post treatment quality.

According to the company, the main characteristics of this system are as follows:

1. Its prices are low (0.1 – 0.3€/m3 in most cases). Delivery of fresh water at an economical price satisfactorily meets large demands, especially agricultural uses.

2. Its energy consumption is less than 0.2kWh/m3 in most cases, which is about 5% of the energy necessary for seawater desalination.

3. Its construction can be conducted in 1 to 2 years in most cases as the laying pace is about 2km per day. An over investment of 15% at the outset typically brings the flexibility to meet a 50% increase in demand over time.

4. It is simple and sturdy which allows operation by workforce with lower qualification, without external technological dependence.

A representative of the company, Mr Felix Bogliolo, presented the device in the last meeting of Wateregio last July.

Contact: www.via-marina.com, info@via-marina.com

Project idea for ENPI call - "Water communities"

Title of proposed project:

Water Communities -
Empowerment of water communities in the Mediterranean

Call: ENPI. Deadline May 2009 (pending publication).

Description:

The goal of Water Communities is to empower the local organizations of water users in different fields in order to promote public participation and democratic water management, thus improving the performance of water management and the protection of the environment.

The creation of communities of irrigators and territorial boards of water users is a pre-requisite to define proper water prices, implementation of infrastructures, training of the operators (farmers, irrigators, technicians) and responsible local water management. At the same time, these structures enhance the civil society and the local democracies. These communities are particularly important in areas where water is scarce, and especially if important wetlands or natural sites are involved. Finally, the performance of water management and better irrigations are a motor for local economic development.

These actions require the involvement of National, Regional and Local Authorities in order to facilitate and develop a proper legislative framework. There are also traditional structures such as Water consuetudinary tribunals and others, existing in Arabic countries and in Spain. These structures could be promoted and protected via this project.

The project would include:

• Analysis of needs: legislative framework, state of local technologies of water management, need of infrastructures, economic development.


• Definition of “hot spots” or areas of urgent action (wetlands, protected areas, water bodies in risk of overexploitation, soils in risk of salinization, etc).


• Creation and empowerment of local structures of participation.


• Benchmark study and exchange of best practices.


• Support to next steps of improvement of water management: Use of treated urban waste water in Spain, drip irrigation and irrigation planning in other partner countries, urban water management plans and other actions to be decided by the partners.


• Creation of a transnational advisory and monitoring committee, whose mission will be providing with legal, technical and scientific advice and follow-up of the actions undertaken.


• Gender approach: Promotion of the participation of women in all the actions.


• Dissemination activities and awareness actions.


• Strategic Environmental Assessment of the actions.

Rice crops in l'Albufera, Valencia. (c) http://www.eco-rice.net/

Partner consortium (so far):

Federación de Comunidades de Regantes de la Comunitat Valenciana.
Society for the Protection of the Nature in Lebanon.

Further partners being sought
Members of Wateregio network.

Budget foreseen: 2.000.000 €. Co-funded by ERDF in EU Member States, and by ENPI in Mediterranean partner countries.

Foreseen project duration: 18 months

Contact Valencian Region:
Mr Alfonso Alcolea – aalcolea@delcomval.be
Mr José Pascual – jpascual@delcomval.be
Lebanon :
Ms Tala Al-Khatib – talakhatib@gmail.com
Ms Dalia Al-Jawhary – dalia.jawhary@gmail.com