Technology Innovations Critical To Help Overcome Region's Water And Energy Challenges, Says Xylem CEO

Xylem President & CEO Patrick Decker to share global insights on sustainability at International Water Summit, Abu Dhabi

Xylem Inc.,a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, announced recently that its President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Decker will address the International Water Summit (IWS) taking place in Abu Dhabi from January 19-22. In his second visit to the Middle East since his appointment as President and CEO of Xylem last year, Mr. Decker will share global insights on sustainability and how technology can be used to solve critical water challenges in arid regions.

Mr. Decker will participate in a panel discussion entitled “Taking a Unified Strategic Approach to Address the Challenges of the Water Energy Nexus” at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, 20 January at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The discussion will explore solutions for the distribution of water and energy resources, the interlinked challenges of urban water and energy to enable the growth of cities, and solutions to improve utility performance.

“The Middle East is a vibrant, diverse region with a growing need for innovative water technology solutions. Xylem has a long history of partnering with customers to create smart solutions that help address many of the challenges facing arid and rapidly growing regions,” said Decker. “The International Water Summit serves as an important platform to raise awareness of these growing challenges and to encourage dialogue focused on integrated solutions. For Xylem, it is also an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to developing pioneering solutions to one of the world’s most urgent issues - the need for clean, safe water and sanitation.”

Vincent Chirouze, newly appointed Managing Director, Xylem Middle East and North Africa, said, “IWS is an opportunity for Xylem to meet with existing and prospective customers to demonstrate the role our technology can play in addressing water challenges. Xylem’s vision complements the United Arab Emirates Vision 2021 National Agenda by providing water technology solutions that enable the sustainable development of the United Arab Emirates.”

In addition to Mr. Decker’s panel discussions, Glen Trickle, Vice President and Director, Engineering & Technology for Xylem’s treatment business, will participate in two panel discussions: “Understanding the Economics of Connectivity and Location to Enable Optimised Water Usage” on Wednesday, 21 January at 9:30 a.m., and “Water Stewardship to Improve Local Water Sources and Enable Commercial Sustainability Through a Value Driven Strategic Approach”, which will take place on Wednesday, 21 January at 11:30 a.m.

Xylem will also present a number of technical workshops during the exhibition, which will focus on reliable and energy efficient wastewater pumping, addressing the harmful algal bloom threat to desalination plants, addressing water micropollution, and the optimization of wastewater treatment processes.

IWS aims to tackle the growing need for water-energy solutions, examining the relationship between the two and how they impact the region. The exhibition and conference will take place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company. IWS is also supported by Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, the Regulation and Supervision Bureau and Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company.

Xylem experts will deliver a number of technical presentations at the Xylem stand, which is located at booth number 4310:

• Monday, 19 January – 2:00 p.m.: Reliable and Energy Efficient Waste Water Pumping, by Peter Lewington, Director, Waste Water Pumping
• Tuesday, 20 January – 11:00 a.m.: Analyzing and Addressing the Harmful Algal Bloom Threat to Desalination Plants by Ivan Zhu, Senior Product Engineer
• Wednesday, 21 January – 11:00 a.m.: Addressing Water Micropollution - Regulatory and Technology Drivers by Achim Ried, Chief Engineer
• Thursday, 22 January – 11:00 a.m.: Optimization of Wastewater Treatment Processes for Best Environmental and Financial Solutions Now and in the Future by Achim Ried, Chief Engineer

About Xylem
Xylem is a leading global water technology provider, enabling customers to transport, treat, test and efficiently use water in public utility, residential and commercial building services, industrial and agricultural settings. The company does business in more than 150 countries through a number of market-leading product brands, and its people bring broad applications expertise with a strong focus on finding local solutions to the world’s most challenging water and wastewater problems. Xylem is headquartered in Rye Brook, New York, with 2013 revenues of $3.8B and more than 12,500 employees worldwide. Xylem was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the last three years for advancing sustainable business practices and solutions worldwide.

The name Xylem is derived from classical Greek and is the tissue that transports water in plants, highlighting the engineering efficiency of our water-centric business by linking it with the best water transportation of all -- that which occurs in nature. For more information, visit www.xylem.com.

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