2024.11.19
Water Industry FORUM24
Water Industry FORUM24 was held on November 19, 2024 at Posthuset in Stockholm. Threats & Security: a more secure water and wastewater supply, the digitalization of water infrastructure and the provision of skills were the three central themes explored at Water Industry FORUM24 based on shorter presentations and perspectives within each area, followed by concluding panel discussions.
At the Water Industry FORUM, dialogue, future issues and the meeting are in focus. We delve into current challenges and highlight them from different aspects through short presentations and in-depth panel discussions where several levels within the water and sanitation industry attack common challenges. The Water Industry FORUM provides a unique opportunity for the industry's various players to network, exchange ideas and discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By increasing knowledge and collaboration, we can ensure clean water without consuming unnecessary investment funds.
”Coming together in this way is a brilliant example of what we need to do more of – collaboration.”
Three themes were at the center of FORUM 24:
Water Industry FORUM24 in proud collaboration with:
PROGRAM 2024
The moderator for Vattenindustrin FORUM24 was Ellinor Persson. With her sharpness and genuine commitment, her presence and generous manner, Ellinor brings the stage participants and the audience together in a united troupe. Ellinor has over a thousand live broadcasts on radio and TV behind her and has also shown proof of her general education and knowledge by winning "På spåret" no less than twice (2004 & 2013).
09.30 Registration & coffee
10.00 Program start
”"It will be interesting to gather expertise from most of Sweden's suppliers and users in the form of municipal water and sanitation organizations and industry for FORUM24. By increasing our knowledge together and discussing the challenges of the future, we can prepare ourselves. Security, digitalization and the need for the right expertise are three of the most important topics today and none of the players in the market will be able to handle them on their own. Through networking, we increase trust between the parties and in a relationship built on trust, the most difficult challenges can be handled. I am really looking forward to meeting the industry in Stockholm in November."”
John Skantze, Chairman of the Water Industry
”"That the world is in motion is hardly news. Many trends are already familiar, but the big difficulty lies in pace and timing. The movement of the world is rarely linear. Different trends can take major leaps when several factors coincide. The theme for FORUM24 focuses on three trends that are in the middle of the 'leap', namely security, digitalization and the issue of skills. We are really looking forward to exploring these areas a little more closely together with the business community, VA organizations and other actors."’
Pär Dalhielm, CEO of Swedish Water
11.00 Digitalization of water infrastructure
Introduction to the digitalization of water infrastructure
”"We in the Water Industry are convinced that digitalization and the introduction of new technology and knowledge are necessary to ensure water supply in a growing Sweden and a world where climate change is increasing at a rapid pace."”
Marcus Holmquist, Business Development Manager, Xylem
Smart Water Management: the role of digitalization in the future of the water and sanitation industry
”In this talk, we explore how Siemens digitalization technologies can revolutionize the water industry. Focusing on the use of Industrial Edge and artificial intelligence, we highlight how these technologies can strengthen the digitalization of water infrastructure and make it more resource-efficient. Through concrete examples, we discuss how AI and advanced data analysis tools not only improve the supply of skills but also contribute to a more sustainable and efficient water and wastewater supply.”
David Öhman, Solution Architect, Siemens
Why and how should NSVA halve water losses in five years?
”"We stand on the shoulders of generations of skilled engineers before us. NSVA's oldest drinking water pipeline in operation today dates back to 1880. Our time is now and our task is to strive with action towards a sustainable society within the framework of the challenges and opportunities that exist around us. In 150 years, skilled engineers will stand on our shoulders."”
Victor Pelin, Drinking Water Distribution Specialist, NSVA, Northwestern Skåne Water and Sewerage
Insights from digitizing +200 pumping stations with smart reports
”The smart reports have given me better opportunities to plan the ongoing maintenance of our facilities.”
Martin Linse (pictured), Group Manager Eskilstuna Strängnäs Energy & Environment, Marcus Hasselgren, Business Development Manager Xylem, Erika von Hage Key account Manager Gemit Solutions
The impact of downtime in the water and waste water industry, and best practice to fight it
”"The water and waste water industry works under a lot of pressure, as their service has a deep impact in society. Failure of operation has dire consequences, socially, as well as economically for the company providing the service. In this presentation we'll discuss about the most common issues, and how to overcome them, through the application of redundant communication and permanent monitoring."”
Bert Konings, Business Line Director Anybus Diagnostics, HMS Industrial Networks
12.30 Lunch
13.30 Threats & Security: A safer water and sewage supply
Introduction to Threat & Security: A safer water and wastewater supply
”Drinking water supply and wastewater management are complex systems and must function 24 hours a day, all year round. In a more complex world, there is a great need for both expertise and products and services to cope with our vulnerabilities and dependencies. We also need to share experiences with each other to a greater extent. Private-public collaboration needs to be developed and fully enabled. Together is the key word!”
Karin Palmblad, Head of Resilience, Ramboll
Geopolitical and security policy events that have affected the threat landscape for critical infrastructure objects
Jörgen Holmlund, Lecturer in Intelligence at the Swedish National Defense University, has extensive national and international experience, including as an Officer for the Swedish Armed Forces and a police superintendent at Rikskrim and NOA. At FORUM 24, Jörgen shares his knowledge of recent geopolitical and security policy events that have affected the threat landscape for critical infrastructure objects.
Jörgen Holmlund, Teacher in Intelligence, Swedish National Defense University
Emergency water & emergency sewage – How can we together become better at ensuring our common continuity needs?
”"With our current security policy situation, it is even more important that we do not act alone in our various areas and competencies. Everyone is needed and we need to work together for a functioning collaboration in practice to achieve a functioning security of supply in, for example, drinking water."”
Lars Brånn, Senior Advisor Resilience, Ramboll
How do we create effective and inclusive security work?
”"The security area is surrounded by numerous requirements and areas of legislation that are often perceived as difficult and burdensome for an organization to manage."”
Elina's presentation shows a journey about how safety can become a natural part of a business and what positive consequences it has for the organization.
Elina Bratt, Head of Department Security, VA SYD
In the midst of work ahead of NIS2 and the new Cybersecurity Act
”"In November, we are in the middle of work on NIS2 and the new Cybersecurity Act. We are taking stock of the situation, especially what it means in practice for VA operations, but at the same time looking ahead to what is coming from the EU. You will get a fresh update on what is new, but also what is still unclear regarding how the EU wants us to drive security in our systems."”
Mats Karlsson Landré, Expert OT Security Advisor, Sectra
15.00 Coffee break
15.30 Skills supply for the water of the future
Introduction to Competence Supply for the Water of the Future
”"Water should be the obvious choice for young people who want to work with sustainability, new technology and feel that their work is important and makes a difference. Together, we need to increase the attractiveness of the industry in order to recruit classic VA roles as well as new types of expertise."”
Matilda Jirblom, Investigation Engineer, Ramboll
Insights from the Water Industry Internship Program 2024
The Water Industry Internship Program was launched in the summer of 2024 with the aim of attracting young people to an industry that is filled with exciting opportunities in many areas, from technical challenges to major societal issues. Here, participating students Elisa Blidérus Rosvall, Sofia Persdotter Larsson, Lara Siadat and Saeed Saeedi present their insights on how we can get more people to choose a career in water.
Swedish Water's competence survey 2024
At the beginning of 2024, Svenskt Vattens mapped out problems and difficulties with one of the industry's really big challenges: recruiting and retaining employees with the right skills. The respondents were just over 300 water and sanitation managers or equivalent.
Dan Löfgren, Senior Strategist, Swedish Water
BOS, the branch organization, trench-free and a successful YH initiative
”"In my talk, I will present the association Branschorganisationen Schaktfritt (BOS) and the training that we have been involved in developing. The training provides an in-depth insight into trenchless technologies for water, district heating, electricity, gas and broadband, and highlights how these methods can streamline work, reduce disruption and save both resources and climate impact. Welcome to the fantastic world and opportunities of trenchless technologies."”
Emil Lundmark, Marketing Manager, AARSLEFF Pipe Technologies
How we ensure that tomorrow's talent wants to work in the water industry
”"In today's job market, there is high competition for talented people, especially those with specialized technical skills. This means that sought-after candidates can set very high standards – and even junior talents have high expectations of what an employer should be able to offer to be an interesting alternative."”
Markus Åberg, Head of Talent Advisory, Academic Work
17.00 Exit:
Reflection and comment on FORUM24
”"Civil preparedness for a secure water supply has reached a completely new level in recent years. The entire water supply industry has a major responsibility here."”
Erik Winnfors Wannberg, Editor-in-Chief, VA journal Circulation
