Drinking water know-how for China

After performing a global ranking, China has decided on a water supply modeled according to German standards. The system of technical self-regulation and the work of the DVGW as well as the associated high standards prevailing in the German drinking water supply convinced the persons in charge in the Chinese water industry. In cooperation with the DVGW, the Chinese Association for Water and Sewage (CUWA) (Chinese Urban Water Association) wants to develop a water supply system according to the German model. In the process, the DVGW is promoting the further distribution of the concept of technical self-regulation on the basis of industryspecific technical systems of rules that is successfully used in Germany. The knowledge transfer also comprises the DVGW system of rules, the DVGW Technical Safety Management, the DVGW certification and aspects such as advanced training and further education. In this manner, a system of rules that is adapted to the conditions prevailing in the People’s Republic of China is to be developed for the technical safety management (TSM) in the water sector.

China with support from DVGW

Commitment to Europe

European energy markets are becoming increasingly integrated.
Apart from national standards, the importance of uniform international regulations is growing. In this context, the DVGW contributes the tried and tested procedures and processes laid down in its technical standards to the harmonization process. The DVGW was active in a number of areas in this connection in 2006.

Know-how for international bodies

The DVGW’s European and international standardization activities within the relevant bodies CEN and ISO continued in 2006. The DVGW also represents the German gas industry on the European technical association MARCOGAZ. Until the end of May 2006, Prof. Dr.- Ing. Klaus Homann, DVGW President, was also president of MARCOGAZ. In the European water sector, the DVGW is active via EUREAU. The key focus of activities in 2006 was on the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, the daughter directives concerning groundwater and the environmental quality standards for surface water bodies. European energy markets are becoming increasingly integrated. Apart from national standards, the importance of uniform international regulations is growing.

Forums for European development

The two European Forums Gas and Water initiated by DVGW in 2003 and 2004 respectively were held in Berlin in 2006 in cooperation with European partner organizations in connection with the international trade fair WASSER BERLIN / GAS BERLIN. Delegates were able to attend specialist presentations, view the exhibitions and develop contacts, all at the same venue. These events met with considerable approval and the number of visitors to the forums was significantly higher than in previous years.
The 2006 European Forum Gas concentrated not only on technical but also on market economy aspects. Topics covered included the future role of LNG and the importance of natural gas for various European economies.

6th European Forum Gas, Bratislava, September 18th/19th 2008
In view of the growing importance of safety and quality in international discussions of water supply, the programme of the European Forum Water attracted considerable attention. The main topics dealt with in presentations and discussions included new developments in connection with the EU Drinking Water Directive, the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, the introduction of technical standards in southern, central and eastern Europe and the practical implementation of the WHO Water Safety Plans.

European Forum Water

Standards for South-East Europe and dictionary

Gas experts met in Sarajevo from 14 to 16 February 2006 for the Third International Gas Conference, held under the motto »Prospects for Regional Cooperation for the Creation of a Common South-East European Gas Market and Integration with the European Union.« The conference was organized and held by the Gas Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina together with DVGW and the gas associations of the region. At the conference, 53 technical standards for the South-East European gas industry were presented to the public. These had been developed on the basis of DVGW technical standards as part of the project »Harmonization of the Legal and Technical Regulatory Framework for the South-East European Gas Industry«. The gas industry dictionary produced by IGT, the Research and Development Centre of the Gas Industry in Sarajevo (Bosnian, German, English) was also presented for the first time.

New competence and training centre in Sarajevo

On 29 August 2006, the DVGW, Gas Wärme Institut GWI and the Bosnian Gas Association jointly announced the successful completion of their »Train the Trainer« project. IGT, the Research and Development Centre of the Gas Industry, in Sarajevo was recognized as a competence and training centre for the entire region. The project was completed with the support of BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) and GTZ, who deserve special thanks in this connection.

Cooperation with Hungary and Rumania

The possibility of applying the DVGW Technical Safety Management (TSM) system to Hungary is currently being reviewed together with the Hungarian Association of Gas Distribution Companies (GE) and with the support of the Hungarian authorities.
When the relevant requirements have been identified, a TSM pilot project is planned. As part of the integration process in preparation for full EU membership in 2007, Rumania, one of the largest natural gas markets in central and south-eastern Europe, initiated restructuring measures for the liberalization of its natural gas market. The DVGW is supporting measures for the development of a largely voluntary system of technical self-regulation in the Rumanian gas industry.

After performing a global ranking, China has decided on a water supply modeled according to German standards. The system of technical self-regulation and the work of the DVGW as well as the associated high standards prevailing
in the German drinking water supply convinced the persons in charge in the Chinese water industry. In cooperation with the DVGW, the Chinese Association for Water and Sewage (CUWA) (Chinese Urban Water Association) wants to develop a water supply system according to the German model.
In the process, the DVGW is promoting the further distribution of the concept of technical self-regulation on the basis of industryspecific technical systems of rules that is successfully used in Germany. The knowledge transfer also comprises the DVGW system of rules, the DVGW Technical Safety Management, the DVGW certification and aspects such as advanced training and further education. In this manner, a system of rules that is adapted to the conditions prevailing in the People’s Republic of China is to be developed for the technical safety management (TSM) in the water sector.