The Big Picture New financial mechanisms needed for achieving global water security: UN Amid growing water scarcity across the world, several experts, including those from the United Nations, have proposed a new definition of water security. Stating that there are now, more than ever, strong links between water security and international peace, the experts have urged for inclusion of water security issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council. In recent years, water security has emerged as pressing issue on the global political agenda........................read more 3 of 4 Asia-Pac countries lack water; India one among the worst: ADB Three out of four countries in Asia and the Pacific are facing a serious lack of water and India is one of the worst among those, a new study prepared jointly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF), has said. In Asia, India has been bundled with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Cambodia as among the worst hit by the scourge of water scarcity. Others in the worst-hit category are the small Pacific island-nations of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu.........................read more News & Features Egypt likely to offer water projects to Indian companies Egypt is expected to invite Indian companies to participate in a host of water and wastewater projects being taken up in the Arab country following the visit of its President Mohamed Morsi earlier this month. Some of the projects are likely to be undertaken by Egypt through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.…………read more Spain's Aqualia plans India foray; eyes 24X7 water projects Spain's Aqualia, one of the world's largest water management company, is looking to make an entry into the Indian market, but remains cautious in its approach. The company is looking to bag large water management contracts. Some of these contracts could be over Rs 550 crore ($100 million) each...........……..… read more Singapore's PUB, HCLI launch programme to groom Asia's future water leaders Singapore’s national water agency PUB has tied up with the Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) to jointly develop world’s first programme to groom Asia’s next generation of water business leaders. Called the Aquarius Programme, it aims to develop the next generation of regional and global water business leaders...………………..read more Kerala to make rainwater harvesting mandatory for new buildings The Kerala Government has decided to make rainwater harvesting compulsory in all new buildings in the state. An in-principle approval has been given to a proposal that requires all new buildings and houses to mandatorily feature provisions for rainwater harvesting……………………read more Planning Commission asks Rajasthan to frame long-term water strategy The Planning Commission has asked Rajasthan Government to frame a long-term strategy to meet the state's water requirements, while pointing out that water security remained a major challenge for it. Drip irrigation and recycling of used water was desirable and Government should work out strategy to meet this requirement.............……...…read more Ford says cuts global water use by 8.5%; recycles 100% at Chennai plant US car major Ford has said it has cut global water usage in making its vehicles by 8.5 per cent per vehicle between 2011 and 2012, and is on course to meet its target of decrease in the average amount of water used to make each vehicle by 30 per cent between 2009 and 2015............……...…read more Pennar Industries plans foray into water treatment Hyderabad-based Pennar Industries has made plans to diversify into water treatment solutions. The company is looking to provide EPC turnkey solutions in water and wastewater treatment segment and manufacture and supply water treatment chemicals. Pennar has reportedly tied up with UK-based Tech Universal for the purpose.........……..…read more http://www.indiawaterreview.in/