Water for the World aims at fostering knowledge and partnerships to deliver sustainable solutions that can make a difference to the access and management of fresh water and sanitation.
The following case stories illustrate partnerships, knowledge and solutions in action. We will regularly report on progresses and projects development. To subscribe to our news update please register as a water friend.
Providing clean drinking water to small towns in rural Vietnam
Only 44% of rural households would have today access to safe drinking water. Well water or rainwater many rely on for drinking lead to health problems and account for a large number of hospitalisation for diarrhoea and related diseases.
Borouge worked with DEWACO, a local utility and private operator of a new waste water treatment plant at Ho Phong, in the extreme South Vietnam, to provide PE 100 solutions for drinking water supply in the city and the nearby town of Gai Rai. More [PDF]
A sustainable water system for the Swami Maheshwaranande Ashram Cantre
In the Indian State of Rajasthan, industrial, agricultural and domestic activities have polluted many of the groundwater sources creating health problems for local populations and requiring heavy investment to secure fresh water access.
Borouge, together with one of its customers, Dura-Line, supported the Vishwadeep Gurukul organisation to expand their campus at the "Swami Maheshwaranande Ashram" Centre for Education and Research. Harvested rainwater will be distrivbuted to the new facilities through a durable PE100 pipe system.. More [PDF]
Providing continous water supply to the residents of Bhaktapur, Nepal
Despite efforts by many organisations, less than 60% of Nepal rural pouplation has access to fresh water, while half of urban household and one in ten rural households are connected to piped water.
Together with local partners, Borouge supported the Sushma Koirala Memorial Trust to provide a continous connection to piped fresh water to a school and 200O residents in a district of the historic town of Bakhtapur.
‘Acqua per L’Aquila’ - Securing water for earthquake victims in L’Aquila, Italy
On April 6, 2009, the Abruzzi region of central Italy was hit by a major earthquake. Particularly badly affected was the town of L’Aquila in which 299 people were killed, more than 1,000 injured and, with the destruction of 15,000 buildings,28,000 people were made homeless and without access to essential services such as clean drinking water.
Under the umbrella of its Water for the World programme, Borealis together with Italian pipe producer System Group-Centraltubi took the initiative and provided on a pro bono basis the infrastructure to supply drinking water for 1,800 people.
A short video on teh project is available on Borealis web site or read the case study More [PDF]
The “Water School” – a learning tool for next generation water consumers
Clean water runs from our taps and waste water goes down our drains. Often the existence of water and waste water works is only noticed when problems occur whether water shortage to waste water pollution.
Water for the World actively seeks to raise awareness of the variety of water challenge in local communities. In Finland, Borealis partnered with WANDER Nordic Water and Materials Institute and the Finnish Water and Waste Water Works Association, to develop and launch a ‘virtual’ Water School - the vesikoulu – a web-based learning environment directed to schoolchildren.
More [PDF]
Raising awareness with a “Troubled Waters” exhibition
Water is too often taken for granted by most people, industry or farmers. Raising awareness of the scale and range of water challenges is therefore a key step to engage staff and communities in better using and preserving their water resources.
To raise awareness and encourage a more efficient use of this precious resource, Borealis has initiated a Water for the Wold exhibition tour with Dieter Telemans “troubled waters” photos which document and reflect the global water crisis
Since its launch in November 2008 the exhibition has already visited 10 communities in 5 countries and will continue touring throughout 2010. More [PDF]
Bringing a PE “Life Line” for Children’s Hospital in Hanoi
Vietnam has been growing fast over the last decade and has made considerable progress in meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals for water and sanitation. However, there are many challenges left which still need support from outside bodies.
One example was the National Hospital of Paediatrics (NHP) in Hanoi, Vietnam, where the water and sanitation conditions were far from ideal with poor water quality and very few drinking and hand washing facilities. Now, thanks to the work of the NGO Lien Aid, supported by Borouge, the situation is much improved, which will bring health and hope to many children as they embark on their journey to recovery.
Aqua per l'Aquila: water pipes for the resettlement of Abruzzi earthquake victims
Borealis and pipe manufacturer System Group-CentralTubi have donated Borstar PE materials and water pipe for the installation of a 1.3 km long water pipe mains in L'Aquila to secure water supply to 1,200 victims in the resettlement area.
Under the patronage of the Austrian Embassy, Borealis has taken the initiative and united its forces together with System Group-Centraltubi, a leading Italian pipe producer, and Prof. Alessandro Marangoni from Bocconi University. The team agreed with the Italian Government body National Civil Protection (NCP) to support pro bono basis the re-construction of “Coppito 3” consisting of 13 housing blocks for the resettlement of approx. 1.200 people. The Abruzzi earthquake on April 6, 2009 made 58,000 people homeless and destroyed around 15,000 buildings in the region of L’Aquila. More [PDF]
Providing drinking water supply to Sichuan earthquake resettlement Camp
The earthquake that struck China’s Sichuan province in May 2008, left the survivors without many amenities, including fresh drinking water.
Borouge joined Lien Aid, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), and the Singapore Water Association, to alleviate the water problem for the 10,000 population of Shengli, a village and resettlement camp near Beichuan County, by launching the “Drop of Hope” project. Borouge supplied the polyethylene material to Szechuan Chinaust, who produced and delivered the pipes to the village, 300km away. The 2km pipeline was completed in just a couple of days, thanks to the flexibility and ease of handling of the pipe.
Whether it is the fuel that makes our cars run or the packaging that keeps our food fresh, the products we use every day require a large amount of water to produce. In a water stressed world, the water footprint of products will be a key environmental indicator in the drive towards an increased sustainable development.
For the first time, Borealis and the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) have investigated the water footprint of plastics materials. More [PDF]
Australia’s Queensland has been one of the worst hit areas with droughts and following several years of water shortage, many of its reservoirs are below 20% capacity, and therefore, new water sources are extremely welcome.
One new source being exploited is the use of water from the gas extracted from the underground coal seams in the state. This water which in the past was seen as a waste product, could now provide a valuable source of additional water. Pipelines are now being installed to deliver the water to the local communities and provide cooling water for the local power stations. More [PDF]
Providing rain water storage for Tanzania school kids [coming soon]
Working with the Belgium NGO, Endallah vzw, Borealis is supporting the pilot installation of large scale rain water storage and basic sanitation system in a newly built primary school in the village of Endallah, Centre Tanzania. Rather than having kids digging mud pits in a dry river to fetch water, water storage will keep them at school over the dry season while latrines and hand washing systems will help promoting hygiene and sanitation good practices.
More information coming soon. Check out also endallah vzw web site.[Website]
Helping Nepal to address water and sanitation challenges
Landlocked in the Himalayas, Nepla is the 12th poorest country in the world and its 27 million inhabitants face major water, sanitation and health related challenges.
Much needed infsraturcture investments recently came to a halt during the political turnoil but development efforts are now resuming.
Borouge is working with local NGOs and plastics industry to contribute addressing some of teh most pressure issues. More [PDF]
Reducing Beijing water losses by relining ageeing mains
Beijing faces a serious water shortage due to rapid population growth exacerbated by successive years of drought. A large part of the water network, installed in the 1950’s is now heavily corroded and leads to impotant leaks of scarce water resources.
Borouge material tehcnology contributed to addressing the challenge of reducing water losses at a reasonable cost,without bringing the city to a standstill.
Delivering fresh water "on-tap" to 3000 homes in Malkapur
Malkapur like many villages in rural India has an intermittent and inadequate water supply system, which leads to its villagers spending many hours each day queuing for their allocation. The Maharashtra State Government has a policy to improve this situation and provide an efficient supply of fresh water with a much reduced leakage rate.
Borouge, together with a local pipe supplier and installer, is working to meet this challenge by providing high-quality material for a new, sustainable water supply network. By the summer of 2008 they expect to have installed a new leak-free water supply system serving all 3,000 homes in the village of Malkapur, around the clock, 7 days a week.More [PDF]
Bringing fresh water from mainland China to Quemoy islands
Providing dry island communities – those with no natural source of fresh water – with long-lasting drinking water supplies are a major engineering challenge. The failure of submarine pipelines can be very expensive, and metal pipes are vulnerable to rapid corrosion in salt water.
Fully resistant to the damaging effects of seawater, polyethylene pipe technology is now being applied on the coast of southern China to link the dry Taiwan-administered islands of Quemoy to the city water supply of Xiamen on mainland China.More [PDF]
Protecting the Whanganui river with new sewage system
Effectively managing the sewage, wastewater and stormwater flows in a modern city is essential to the health and welfare of the community and the environment.Unfortunately in so many cities around the world the underground networks have been allowed to deteriorate, and now the difficulties in upgrading them seem to be insurmountable.
In the city of Wanganui, New-Zealand, the city engineers have combined modern plastic pipeline materials and the latest installation technology to help them develop their new network.More [PDF]
Addressing Vietnam's water and sanitation challenges
Vietnam has been experiencing rapid economic growth and over the last 10 years 20 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Despite this achievement many people still do not have access to safe water and adequate sanitation. Many of the country’s water pipes are old and leaking, and a recent survey showed that only 18 % of rural communities had sanitation facilities that met the government’s hygiene standards.
To aid change, Borouge is working with the Vietnamese Water Supply Association and universities to improve training and education in water and sanitation.More [PDF]
The challenges of India's growth for water and sanitation
Whilst population and economic growth in India continues unabated, the state of water and sanitation infrastructure is a cause for concern. Although the government is increasing infrastructure expenditure, population increases and migration to urban areas means that much still remains to be done.
But, with water and sanitation systems often left behind in the call on resources, high leakage and pollution are building up costs for today and serious health problems for the future. Active in India with a range of projects, Water for the World reviews the challenges that the water and sanitation systems face in the country.More [PDF]
Pioneering the first plastics pipe academy in the Middle East
Establishing long-term and sustainable water solutions is of paramount importance in the Middle East, one of the world’s most water stressed and fastest growing regions in the world. It requires applying the highest quality standards and improving installation and maintenance techniques.
Initiated by Borouge, the Gulf Plastics Pipe Academy (GPPA) is a pioneering organisation with the mission of raising standards as well as providing knowledge and expertise along the entire water value chain.More [PDF]
Providing a model for sustainable investments with the “Whole Life Costing”
Together with Thames Water and UK pipe producer GPS, Borealis developed the first model for the Whole Life Costing of a large water pipe system.
To allow real comparison between options, the WLC model calculates all costs associated with a project throughout its life cycle, from material costs to installation and maintenance.
This pioneering research gives network designers and operators a base to inform decisions and make more sustainable investments.More [PDF]
Bringing sustainable, hands-on solutions to the urban poor
More than one billion people worldwide live without clean, safe drinking water, and over two billion are without basic sanitation. With fast growing urbanisation, there is an urgent need to provide water and sanitation solutions in poor urban areas.
Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP)pulls together the expertise of its members to provide cutting edge, hands-on and sustainable solutions. Borealis and Borouge are joining WSUP to make a difference.More [PDF]
Rewarding outstanding achievements with the Stockholm Water Prize
Around the world, many individuals, institutions and organisations are developing world-class best practices for the protection of water resources and the improvement of water and sanitation conditions.
To encourage progress and reward achievements, Borealis and Borouge are co-founding the Stockholm Water Prize, the leading global award for outstanding water-related activities. More [PDF]
Securing fresh water access to 450 villages in Andhra Pradesh
Around 200 million people in rural India have no access to fresh water. In those areas, the use of high quality materials and standards is essential to deliver sustainable solutions.
The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has worked with Borouge to select a material solution for the building of a reliable water supply system that serves half a million people in Andhra Pradesh, India.More [PDF]
Contributing to save 120 millions litres of water in London
Like in many European cities, London’s water utility, Thames Water, faces the challenge of meeting the demand of a growing population while half of its water pipe network is over a century old and looses 30% of the water supply through leaks and cracks.
The replacement of 1,600 kilometres of mains by 2010 required innovative material and high quality standards. The PE pipe solution chosen provides a sustainable solution and reduces both the financial and environmental costs by offering a number of “no dig” options.More [PDF]
Meeting development challenges in coastal Karnataka
Rural to urban migration is putting massive pressure on urban infrastructures.This is particularly the case in the State of Karnataka and the subregion of Bangalore, in India, where improvement of the water and sanitation network is vital for the local population and balanced development of the region.
Serpentine streets and monsoon climatic conditions are tough local challenges that required the use of PE100 pipe systems to provide inhabitants of Mangalore and Puttur with access to fresh water and improved sanitation.More [PDF]
Preventing water supply disruptions and preserving trees in Shanghai
The rapid development of cities put huge pressures on the infrastructure which means that traditional solutions fail in a relatively short time. Such was the case in Shanghai where, after only 20 years, an iron water main in a congested inner suburb needed urgent replacement.
The solution was PE relining. Requiring only 30 small pits and a mere three months time, the Shanghai Pudong Water Company replaced 2.6 km of water pipes with a durable system, ensuring minimal disruption for residents and preservation of the surrounding greenery.More [PDF]
Enhancing the sustainability of Malmö’s sewer network
Sanitation is a vital yet too often ignored challenge, and the durability of buried sewerage system materials is rarely considered by municipalities.
The city of Malmö, Sweden, conducted a 6 year test programme to assess the resistance of sewerage pipes materials to tree root penetration.
The research marked a step change for the sustainability of these pipe systems by using welded PP-HM materials. It shows how closely economic, social and ecological benefits are linked together.More [PDF]
Only 44% of rural households would have today access to safe drinking water. Well water or rainwater many rely on for drinking lead to health problems and account for a large number of hospitalisation for diarrhoea and related diseases. 
In the Indian State of Rajasthan, industrial, agricultural and domestic activities have polluted many of the groundwater sources creating health problems for local populations and requiring heavy investment to secure fresh water access.
Despite efforts by many organisations, less than 60% of Nepal rural pouplation has access to fresh water, while half of urban household and one in ten rural households are connected to piped water. 
On April 6, 2009, the Abruzzi region of central Italy was hit by a major earthquake. Particularly badly affected was the town of L’Aquila in which 299 people were killed, more than 1,000 injured and, with the destruction of 15,000 buildings,28,000 people were made homeless and without access to essential services such as clean drinking water.
Clean water runs from our taps and waste water goes down our drains. Often the existence of water and waste water works is only noticed when problems occur whether water shortage to waste water pollution.
Water is too often taken for granted by most people, industry or farmers. Raising awareness of the scale and range of water challenges is therefore a key step to engage staff and communities in better using and preserving their water resources.
Vietnam has been growing fast over the last decade and has made considerable progress in meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals for water and sanitation. However, there are many challenges left which still need support from outside bodies.
Borealis and pipe manufacturer System Group-CentralTubi have donated Borstar PE materials and water pipe for the installation of a 1.3 km long water pipe mains in L'Aquila to secure water supply to 1,200 victims in the resettlement area.
The earthquake that struck China’s Sichuan province in May 2008, left the survivors without many amenities, including fresh drinking water. 
Whether it is the fuel that makes our cars run or the packaging that keeps our food fresh, the products we use every day require a large amount of water to produce. In a water stressed world, the water footprint of products will be a key environmental indicator in the drive towards an increased sustainable development.
Australia’s Queensland has been one of the worst hit areas with droughts and following several years of water shortage, many of its reservoirs are below 20% capacity, and therefore, new water sources are extremely welcome. 
Working with the Belgium NGO, Endallah vzw, Borealis is supporting the pilot installation of large scale rain water storage and basic sanitation system in a newly built primary school in the village of Endallah, Centre Tanzania. Rather than having kids digging mud pits in a dry river to fetch water, water storage will keep them at school over the dry season while latrines and hand washing systems will help promoting hygiene and sanitation good practices.
Landlocked in the Himalayas, Nepla is the 12th poorest country in the world and its 27 million inhabitants face major water, sanitation and health related challenges. 
Beijing faces a serious water shortage due to rapid population growth exacerbated by successive years of drought. A large part of the water network, installed in the 1950’s is now heavily corroded and leads to impotant leaks of scarce water resources. 
Malkapur like many villages in rural India has an intermittent and inadequate water supply system, which leads to its villagers spending many hours each day queuing for their allocation. The Maharashtra State Government has a policy to improve this situation and provide an efficient supply of fresh water with a much reduced leakage rate. 
Providing dry island communities – those with no natural source of fresh water – with long-lasting drinking water supplies are a major engineering challenge. The failure of submarine pipelines can be very expensive, and metal pipes are vulnerable to rapid corrosion in salt water. 
Effectively managing the sewage, wastewater and stormwater flows in a modern city is essential to the health and welfare of the community and the environment.Unfortunately in so many cities around the world the underground networks have been allowed to deteriorate, and now the difficulties in upgrading them seem to be insurmountable.
Vietnam has been experiencing rapid economic growth and over the last 10 years 20 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Despite this achievement many people still do not have access to safe water and adequate sanitation. Many of the country’s water pipes are old and leaking, and a recent survey showed that only 18 % of rural communities had sanitation facilities that met the government’s hygiene standards. 
Whilst population and economic growth in India continues unabated, the state of water and sanitation infrastructure is a cause for concern. Although the government is increasing infrastructure expenditure, population increases and migration to urban areas means that much still remains to be done. 
Establishing long-term and sustainable water solutions is of paramount importance in the Middle East, one of the world’s most water stressed and fastest growing regions in the world. It requires applying the highest quality standards and improving installation and maintenance techniques. 
Together with Thames Water and UK pipe producer GPS, Borealis developed the first model for the Whole Life Costing of a large water pipe system.
More than one billion people worldwide live without clean, safe drinking water, and over two billion are without basic sanitation. With fast growing urbanisation, there is an urgent need to provide water and sanitation solutions in poor urban areas.
Around the world, many individuals, institutions and organisations are developing world-class best practices for the protection of water resources and the improvement of water and sanitation conditions.
Around 200 million people in rural India have no access to fresh water. In those areas, the use of high quality materials and standards is essential to deliver sustainable solutions.
Like in many European cities, London’s water utility, Thames Water, faces the challenge of meeting the demand of a growing population while half of its water pipe network is over a century old and looses 30% of the water supply through leaks and cracks. 
Rural to urban migration is putting massive pressure on urban infrastructures.
This is particularly the case in the State of Karnataka and the subregion of Bangalore, in India, where improvement of the water and sanitation network is vital for the local population and balanced development of the region.
