The format
The International Roundtable exists in order to facilitate an exchange between interested practitioners beyond country or organizational borders. Committing to cooperation and collaboration, the event was only made possible through the team effort of the YoungDWA and the IWA Chapters “YWP Germany” and “YWP Australia”. Building-Bridges is the name of an online event series which serves as a platform for bilateral exchange between the young water professionals of two countries.

After the successful pilot event of the International Roundtable in July 2020, the organizers quickly staged the next international network meeting.

The event
On Wednesday, 21 October 2020, the “Young Water Professionals” from Germany and Australia virtually came together to discuss on the topic of “Water Reuse”, exchange ideas and connect.

With choosing the topic “Water Reuse”, the approx. 40 participants were first given the opportunity to learn about associated challenges of the Australian water sector. With already established reuse concepts for irrigation, the industry of the dry Australian continent is working on the implementation of "reuse schemes" to stabilise the availability of drinking water. In her presentation, Morgan Pauly, YWP & Strategy Advisor at Sydney Water, highlighted approaches to promote widespread acceptance of “purified recycled water” for drinking purposes.

Morgan Pauly (YWP Australia):
All options on the table: Building acceptance around purified recycled water for drinking
Complimentary, the German view elaborated the technical viability of a water reuse scheme aiming at a resource efficient nutrient use in the agricultural production sector. Alexa Bliedung, former researcher at the TU Braunschweig, presented her project results with a variety of setup options for (waste-)water treatment and management for subsequent use in hydroponic cultivation systems.

Alexa Bliedung (YWP Germany):
Use of hydroponic systems for resource efficient water reuse in agriculture
The organisers were pleased with many participants engaging in a lively discussion, exchanging ideas between each other and the presenters. A great ‘Thank You’ is extended to our guest speakers for their insightful presentations.

The next International Roundtable with a new partner and theme is just around the corner and will be announced soon. Have you always been interested to find out how other countries approach a certain water-related topic? Tell us about it (international@junge-dwa.de) and join the next session!

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