By Tania Tan

When Singapore's national water agency, the PUB, won the prestigious Stockholm Industry Water Award - the Nobel equivalent in water industry circles - last year, it was like a splash of cold water on a tired, distracted world.

Suddenly, this water-scarce nation found itself a little spring of ideas on how to tackle some of the most pressing water issues facing the world.

The PUB did not stop there. It decided a follow-up act was called for.

This gave rise to the inaugural Singapore International Water Week, which officially kicks off next Tuesday.

More than 5,000 heads of government, research and industry will be in town to discuss water issues during the four-day event, which took 15 months of planning by the PUB.

'The event will not only allow Singapore to share with the water industry its experiences, but also bring together experts from around the world to share their views and brainstorm practical solutions,' said PUB chief executive Khoo Teng Chye.

Leaders from over 70 countries will be in town to discuss policy, make deals and check out Singapore's own water successes.

They have much to discuss: International finance institution, the Asian Development Bank, estimates that 700 million people in the region lack access to safe water. About two billion lack access to basic sanitation facilities.

Strong global economic growth, population pressures and increased urbanisation have dovetailed to sharply increase water use.

Pollution and climate change put further strain on resources, he added.

A report by the United Nations Environment Programme predicted that the escalating burden of water demand will become 'intolerable in water-scarce countries' within the next few decades.

Such issues are also discussed at conferences, like the annual symposiums by the Stockholm International Water Institute and the biennial International Water Association (IWA) conference, but on different playing fields - either by industry or policymakers.

With such established events around the world, Singapore's water summit had to 'carve out a niche for itself', said Mr Khoo.

That involved bringing leaders 'across the water cycle' together under one roof.

Programmes and seminars were designed to cater to a wider audience of industry and non-industry types, said Singapore International Water Week managing director Michael Toh.

'We want everyone in one place to get them on the same page when it comes to water problems in the region,' he said.

'Partnerships and innovation must be at the centre of addressing water problems,' said Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs director-general for enterprise and innovation Renee Bergkamp, who will speak next week.

Having the chance to speak to regional policymakers, and industry players is a 'unique chance', said Associate Professor Vladan Babovic, director of the Singapore- Delft Water Alliance.

He will attend the conference next week.

Running since 1991, the Stockholm institute's World Water Week focuses on water management and policy, while the IWA meeting traditionally brings together technological stalwarts and companies, he noted.

Conferences are often tailored to either policy or industry players, preventing 'fluid communication' between parties, said Prof Babovic, who is also with the National University of Singapore engineering faculty.

'It's easy for either party to get lost if they're not experts in these events - it prevents good solutions from being achieved,' he said.

Added Mr Toh: 'We are not suggesting we have the perfect answer, only that we can help matchmake solutions to problems.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 21 June 2008.