1. Goal of Action Plan Implementation
Goal of Action Plan is to implement a list of actions relevant for boosting the uptake of ICT in the water sector across different domains while addressing the key challenges the sector is facing within a 2030 timeframe Dynamic and flexible approach to adapt to a fast-changing environement – future actions Actions to be launched between 2018 – 2030 (max 5 years each)

2. WssTP’s role in implementing the Action Plan
1) Set up a Digital Innovator of the Year Award & Digital Water Interoperability Award
2) Promote and organize events to foster collaboration between key stakeholders in the water sector
3) Foster link between WssTP’s digital water cluster & WG and other relevant associations in the digital space (e.g. Data & IoT associations) as well as vertical groups (i.e. Smart cities, Industry & Agriculture)
4) Stimulate digital water investment priorities within WssTP’s Water Market Event
5) WssTP will advocate for policies that foster innovation and reduce the barriers in order to stimulate the uptake of digital water technologies

3. Implementation of Actions (1)
1. Interoperability and standardization
Procurement for a review of current state of water standards
Promotion in the framework of standardization bodies
Digital water interoperability award
Cross European data-water association / ICT4Water cluster WG
European, national, regional public funding schemes
2. Data sharing
Collaboration between cross European data-water association / ICT4Water cluster WG + water management authorities
European-wide water data-sharing regulations, also across sectors
European, national and regional public funding schemas

4. Implementation of Actions (2)
3. Smart Water & Governance
Strong commitment from EU Framework Programs (H2020, FP9, etc.)
European, national, regional public funding schemes
Private sector investments
Smart Water awards promoted by WssTP
Cross European data-water association / ICT4Water cluster WG
4. Cybersecurity

5. Implementation of Actions (3)
5. Actors awareness about digital water
Close collaboration between associations and WGs (e.g. WssTP horizontal / vertical clusters)
Provide visibility to the leaders through awards, organization of digital-water related conferences
European-wide policies such as water footprint, open data, etc.
European, national, regional public funding schemes
Private sector investments

6. Implementation of Actions (4)
6. Policy
New policies & standards promoted by DGs
Review water directives including ICT experts
European, national, regional public funding schemes
Private sector investments
Cross European data-water association / ICT4Water cluster WG
7. Business models
Stimulate water sector private investment (e.g. Water Market Europe)
Close collaboration between associations and WGs (e.g. WssTP horizontal / vertical clusters)

7. Implementation Instruments (1)
A) EU implementation instruments
EU Framework Programs
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund
European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)
European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds)
Small and medium-sized companies (the COSME programme)
Horizon 2020, the EU research and innovation funding programme
FP9 research program
Priorities to be considered by the Departments and Executive Agencies Strategies of the different DGs (i.e. DG CONNECT, DG HOME, DG ENV, DG AGRI, DG CLIMA, DG ENER, DG RTD, EASME, DG GROW, DG DEVCO, EEA) for a coordinated undertaken effort
EU-level appropriate policies & regulations (e.g. real-time measurement)

8. Implementation Instruments (2)
B) Other national, regional & international public instruments
Public private partnerships (PPPs)
European Investment Bank (EIB)
Member State funds
Regional funds

9. Implementation Instruments (3)
C) Water sector
Establish collaboration between cross-domain / cross-sectorial working groups (e.g. ICT4Water Cluster, WssTP, AIOTI, standardization bodies, other vertical sector associations) such as creation of a formal European data-water working group
Sponsor prizes and other related incentives to stimulate innovation
Organize specialized events focused on digital water and its intelligent development
Stimulate and allocate private resources for the research, development and deployment of smart water technologies (e.g. WssTP Water Market Europe)

10. The implementation of the action plan requires a collective, coordinated effort and commitment all stakeholders: EC, Government (National, regional and local), Regulators, Consumer organisations, Research and data provision, Water industry, Utilities, distributors.

11. Thank you! Andrea Rubini Scientific & Policy Manager, WssTP
Montse Mussons
WssTP’s Water & ICT WG leader