We proudly present the "Member of the Month" special feature series that provides insights into the work of our members, the successes they achieve, the challenges they overcome, and the thinking behind their IAWD memberships.

We introduce "Member of the Month" because we all know very well that IAWD's success is driven by lively communication, mutual support and shared know-how and experiences. The better we get to know each other, the more positive energy feeds into our community.
 

In how many countries of the Danube region are you operating?

I am working globally. In the Danube Region I have working experience from different projects in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, North Macedonia and Slovenia so far.

The core of company’s work 

Blue Networks are consulting engineers for water management and environmental engineering, and we are specialized on the sustainable optimization and conservation of pipe-bounded infrastructures – mainly in the water supply. Water Loss Management and Rehabilitation Planning are core activities of our business.

Mission statement or philosophy

Our company philosophy is reflected in our company name Blue Networks:

Blue represents water. Water is the most important element on earth and is the basis for all life. Water was the source of all things - including our company.

Blue represents purity, clarity, durability and efficiency. Access to safe drinking water cannot be taken for granted and requires sustainable protection of resources. Supply infrastructures demand sound engineering practices and responsible operational and maintenance practices.

Networks are the heart of supply infrastructures. Water is transported to the clients by networks and wastewater as well as storm water is drained off by networks. The basis for a smooth functionality of pipe networks is the application of a maintenance strategy in line with state of the art practices. Networks are also a core part of our business philosophy. With national and international co-operation partners we have access to highly specialized know-how and therefore we can guarantee the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Three interesting projects and/or key figures

My first large international assignment was 2014 – 2015 in Bulgaria: Project Implementation Support Initiative - Support to NRW Reduction in Bulgaria – Components A, B & C – Financed by EIB. I was engaged as a freelance for IncoWest GmbH as a Water Loss Reduction Expert / Benchmarking Expert. The scope of my assignment included the development of a Process Benchmarking System, holding training sessions on IWA water balance, Performance Indicators and Benchmarking and preparing Water Loss Reduction Guidance Notes for the Bulgarian Water Sector.

An achievement I am proud of was to make the largest Water Loss Reduction project in Africa become true as part of a consultant team of the World Bank which prepared the Water Loss Reduction Performance Based Contract in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. With about 19 million USD it is the largest ongoing Water Loss Reduction project in Africa at the moment. As part of the consultant team of the World Bank, I supported the preparation of the tender documents as well as the procurement and the project implementation process.

I also would like to highlight the long-term business relationship with the local water company in my hometown, the Leibnitzerfeld Wasserversorgung GmbH, which started with a review of the GIS database and an update of the Pipe Network Statistics and Failure Analysis. The next step was an assessment of the mid-term and long-term rehabilitation requirements for transmission and distribution pipes based on actual pipe network age, failure rates of individual pipe groups and standard aging curves. Besides technical rehabilitation requirements (km of pipes) also cost estimates for different scenarios were prepared. The latest activity was a hydraulic analysis of the entire water supply network including transmission and distribution network of about 350 km pipe length. Results of the hydraulic modelling will feed in future rehabilitation planning and the water loss management strategy.

Why should young people work in the water sector?

The water sector offers a very interesting field of activity, which faces major challenges. Especially in the Danube Region many water supply utilities are facing high water losses caused by aging infrastructure and investment backlog over the last decades. At the same time demographic challenges and climate change become increasingly relevant, e.g. in form of changes in precipitation, droughts, as well as heavy rainfall. Over the next few decades, the water infrastructure needs to be adapted to these challenges. Thus, there will be good and exciting working opportunities in the water sector.

Why did you become an IAWD member?

The Danube region, with its beautiful landscapes, impressive cities, and wonderful people, is very close to my heart. At the same time, the water sector in this region faces major challenges, particularly in the areas of asset management, water losses, and rehabilitation planning. Blue Networks offers expertise in these areas. The IAWD offers an excellent network for exchanging experiences and establishing contact with water suppliers and experts from the region, which is entirely in line with my networking philosophy.

*pictures provided by Blue Networks e.U.