Building and optimizing water infrastructure in Italy: from Next Generation EU to the strategy for water resilience

The Next Generation EU is having a significant impact on the water infrastructure and the European and Italian industry, particularly to increase efficiency, digitalization and resilience. Although these projects have addressed very relevant cases, the EU is still facing structural mismanagement and widespread degradation of water resources and ecosystems that are damaging the EU's environment, economy and people. To restore the compromised water cycle by addressing three specific objectives:
(1) restore and protect the water cycle;
(2) ensure clean water and accessible sanitation for all;
(3) promote a competitive European water industry as part of a clean and water-conscious circular economy, the Water Resilience strategy is a priority of the European Commissioner.

In the first session, this workshop will present an assessment of the main results of projects and infrastructures funded by Next Generation EU, while the second session will introduce the main points of the EU water resilience strategy focusing on infrastructures, finance and investments.

Session Chairs

Attilio Toscano, Scientific Technical Committee of Ecomondo
Francesco Fatone, Scientific Technical Committee of Ecomondo
Mario Rosario Mazzola, Utilitatis
Massimiliano Panero, Vice President Sogesid
Veronica Manfredi, European Commission, DG Environment 

Program

10.15 Introduction by Session Chairs

10.20 Water after Next Generation EU? Actions of the European water resilience strategy
Veronica Manfredi, European Commission, DG Environment

10.35 Assessment of Next Generation EU interventions concerning the water sector: the institutional point of view
Davide Ciferri, Coordinator of the Next Generation EU Mission Unit of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

10.50 Assessment of Next Generation EU interventions concerning the water sector: the institutional point of view
Salvatore Corroppolo, Director of the Office for General Affairs and Departmental Secretariat for the NRRP of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security

11.05 How European research and innovation can accelerate the implementation of the European water resilience strategy
Francesco Fatone, Scientific Technical Committee of Ecomondo and International Water Association Fellow

First Round Table
Moderator: Attilio Toscano, Scientific Technical Committee of Ecomondo

Marco Delpero, WAREG – European Water Regulators
Fabio Fatuzzo, Extraordinary Government Commissioner for Purification and Reuse
Massimo Gargano ANBI
Barbara Marinali, Deputy Vice President of Utilitalia
Alberto Romagnoli, Councilor responsible for Environment and Territory - Italian Council of Engineers

Second Round Table
Moderator: Mario Rosario Mazzola, Utilitatis

Serena Triggiani, Puglia Region
Francesca Portincasa, Director of AQP
Attilio Toscano, Commissioner of Campolattaro Dam
Massimiliano Panero, Vice President Sogesid
Luigi Decollanz, President of Acque del Sud
Alessandro Rinaldi, Gruppo Iren

Discussion and closing by Session Chairs