Water summit at the Wilopark: “Innovation is the key to success”

Dortmund. The circular economy initiative Circular Valley invited renowned participants from business and politics to a summit on the topic of water at the Wilopark. The Wilo Group provided the appropriate setting for the discussions by hosting the water and sustainability experts at the new market partner meeting centre, the Networking Cube.

“We saw interesting presentations and engaged in exciting discussions, clearly to the benefit of all participants”, says Georg Weber, Member of the Executive Board and CTO of the Wilo Group. He took part in the water summit along with other Wilo experts. “Water shortage is without question a global megatrend”, states Weber. “Events like the water summit bring experts together, allowing them to network with one another.” According to Weber, this is the only way to find answers to the water crisis.

Circular Valley project coordinator Günter Poppen takes a similar view: “It is already clear that technological innovations are urgently needed. This was readily apparent in all the discussions. Innovation is the key to success. Networking and interdisciplinary discussions are essential for this to happen – as are events like the water summit.”

The event agenda reflects the complexity of the issue. Two local water management associations gave presentations: Wupperverband discussed the “Sustainable organisation and valorisation of data”, while Emschergenossenschaft presented “A watershed moment – in water management as well”. The sports club Borussia Dortmund put the focus on the sponge city concept. A participant from Bayer AG spoke about “Decentralised solutions for sewage that is unsuitable for wastewater treatment plants”. The host Wilo gave a presentation on “Activities in the context of the European Blue Deal and the Water Management Roadmap 2030”. Just recently, Oliver Hermes, President & CEO of the Wilo Group, argued in favour of a holistic European water strategy and a “Blue Deal” in an essay.

Günter Poppen affirmed that the water summit at the Wilopark was only the starting point for a long-term collaboration. “We want to and have to continue this dialogue, which means working together over the long term, so we can achieve tangible results. The event at the Wilopark was a very successful start.”