Welcome and Invitation

Glen T Daigger, Ph. D., P. E., BCEE, NAE

President

International Water Association (IWA)

     On behalf of the International Water Association (IWA), it is my great pleasure, and with great enthusiasm, I invite you to attend the IWA Conference on Alternative Water Resources Management and Integrated Technologies for Sustainable Urban Water Systems (IWA-CDA2013) in Qingdao June 25-28, 2013.  This conference is the first of its kind in China but will be followed by many more as the need to develop alternative water supplies to meet the needs of our growing global urban population is essential and urgent.  What is most important is that practices and technologies already exist to meet this need, but they must be applied on a much broader basis than is currently the case.  As we do this we will further develop and advance our ability to serve as we both "learn by doing" and develop even more innovative and higher performing approaches.  Qingdao is also an idea setting for this conference as it is one of the fastest developing and most innovative cities in China.

     As Professor Wang indicates in his message, this also represents an important event for the initiative co-organized by IWA and the Desalination Branch of China Water Enterprises Confederation (CDA) through the newly established "IWA Working Group on Alternative Water Resources (China)" (abbreviated as IWA-CDA Working Group).  This working group is the regional implementation of the IWA global Smart Water Cluster, which is focusing on this crucial issue on a global basis.  Thus, participants in the Qingdao event will not only learn of the many advances occurring in China, but also of those occurring around the world.  This will be a unique opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and experiences both within China and between China and the rest of the world.  All those who attend will benefit greatly.

     On a personal basis, I look forward to returning to Qingdao.  I made my first trip to China in 1990 to Qingdao through involvement in an Asian Development Bank project there.  Being aware of the tremendous changes which have occurred in China as a whole over these past two decades, I look forward to seeing how Qingdao has similarly progressed.  It will be great to both renew old friendships and make new ones.  So, please join me in Qingdao in June.

Xiaochang Wang

Conference Chairman

Professor, Vice President Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology

     Welcome to Qingdao, one of the fast-developing coastal cities in China, for attending the IWA Conference on Alternative Water Resources Management and Integrated Technologies for Sustainable Urban Water Systems (IWA-CDA2013) which will be held in June, the most comfortable season in this city.

     The IWA-CDA2013 is the first event of such kind in China co-organized by International Water Association (IWA) and Desalination Branch of China Water Enterprises Confederation (CDA) through the newly established “IWA Working Group on Alternative Water Resources (China)” (abbreviated as IWA-CDA Working Group). The event will occur in parallel with the Qingdao International Conference 2013 on Desalination and Water Reuse jointly sponsored by Chinese governments and global industrial organizations in the same period.

     As we are living in a world in which freshwater resources can not be sufficiently provided to people in every region or city, it has been internationally recognized that alternative water resources, such as those from wastewater treatment and reclamation, storm water harvesting, seawater and brackish water desalination, are becoming more and more important for supporting the sustainable development in water deficient regions. The development of alternative water resources needs alternative technologies, as well as alternative thinking on system design and management toward a new paradigm. To meet such needs, international communication is extremely important. Therefore, it is the aim of the IWA-CDA2013 to provide a platform for Chinese scientists, practitioners, and entrepreneurs to seat together with professionals from all over the world to exchange their opinions and experiences in the related fields.

      On behalf of the Organising Committee of IWA-CDA2013, I sincerely invite all people who are interested in the conference topics to attend the conference. Qingdao, as a miniature of the fast-developing China, will offer our distinguished guests with traditional hospitality, unique coastal landscaping and its past and modern features.

Guo Youzhi

Secretary General

Desalination Branch of China Water Enterprises Confederation (CDA)

     As the Secretary General of Desalination Branch of China Water Enterprises Confederation, I sincerely and warmly welcome all participants to Qingdao for the IWA Conference on Alternative Water Resources Management and Integrated Technologies for Sustainable Urban Water System (IWA-CDA Qingdao Conference 2013) in the cheerful season, which will be held in China June 25-28, 2013. It is a part ofQingdao International Conference 2013 on Desalination and Water Reuse, which jointly sponsored by Chinese governments, supported jointly by many global industry organizations.

     Regarding the rapid urbanization of China, the successful experiences of research and practice on water resources in Qingdao target the integrated solution to the problem of urban water resources shortage and water ecological environment damage in China and other Asian countries. This conference will address all aspects of these important topics and provide an opportunity for attendees to come fully up to speed with the latest developments.

     The timing and location for IWA-CDA Qingdao Conference 2013 have been selected to make it easy for those who are interested to attend the Qingdao International Conference 2013 on Desalination and Water Reuse at the same time. During the conference, leaders from central government and water industry will be invited to make high standard presentation on the development trends and the 12^th 5-year national plan on utilization of desalination and alternative water resources. This, coupled with Qingdao for those who can attend both events, will make for an unforgettable professional and personal experience. Qingdao is a beautiful venue, you can meet her in her best season.We will offer our renowned hospitality and look forward to seeing you in Qingdao China on June 25-28, 2013.