Welcome to Our Joint Conference and Exhibition, 2022

After two years of organizing virtual conferences, SHUKOS and SHUKALB are pleased to invite you to join us in person at our 10th Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition to be held on 8-9-10 November 2022, in Prishtina, Kosovo.

The Conference Theme, Groundwater – Making the Invisible Visible, is inspired by World Water Day 2022, and brings attention to the importance of protecting the quality and quantity of our underground resources. The topic is very valuable especially for our countries, which provide most of their drinking water supply from underground sources.

The Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition has truly established itself as a major knowledge sharing and networking event in the Western Balkans water sector. With an audience of over 500 participants from the Greater Balkans Region, the Conference continues to offer a platform where water professionals, policymakers, and business professionals from the sector can gather to discuss issues of concern, exchange information, and share experiences in an effort to help the further development of the water supply and wastewater sector in the Greater Balkans Region.

As it has been the practice, the Organizing Committee has planned in parallel, a large Equipment, Technology and Services Exhibition with participation from a broad array of private sector companies who are active in the water sector in the Balkans Region.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Joint Conference and to sharing our common interest for a better water environment for the Greater Balkans.

Zenel Zenelaj

President
SHUKOS

Petrit Tare

President
SHUKALB

ORGANIZERS

 

 

WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE ASSOCIATION OF ALBANIA (SHUKALB)

The Water Supply and Sewerage Association of Albania (SHUKALB), which was established in 2000, is a professional, not-for-profit Association of water supply and sewerage professionals, who wish to improve the management of the Water Supply and Sewerage Sector in Albania, making it efficient, sustainable and effective in accordance with the current laws and regulations in Albania. The Association is legally registered in the Court of Tirana.

SHUKALB vision is “Acknowledged leader in advancing quality performance and sustainability in the water sector“.

Mission Objectives:

  • To advocate the collective interests of professionals in the water sector in Albania.

  • To serve as a leading resource for knowledge, professional development and networking.

  • To invest time and resources to build awareness and attract future generations to seek a career in the water sector.

  • To be a positive force for mutual understanding, collaboration and regional partnerships in the Western Balkans.

 

 

WATER SUPPLY AND WASTEWATER WORKS ASSOCIATION OF KOSOVO (SHUKOS)

The Water Supply and Wastewater Works Association of Kosovo (SHUKOS) is registered as a non-incorporated, non-profit Association of its members and founders which are the Regional Water Companies – JSC and Operating Units, in accordance with Law no. 03 / L-134 of the Republic of Kosovo. SHUKOS had a very good growth of activities during its first fifteen years, and today is a very professionally respected institution, both in Kosovo and abroad.

SHUKOS goal is to act as a link between its members to develop, promote and protect the common interests of the water and wastewater sector, towards the creation of a financially sustainable and capable sector to lead forward the general basics in their field of work.

Mission Objectives:

Protecting the interests of the water sector in Kosovo, through professional development and networking to develop and advocate for the members interests.

  • To be a Leader in service. Leadership to serve as a major source of knowledge;

  • Invest time and resources to build awareness and attract younger generations to pursue a career in the water sector;

  • Be a driving force for mutual understanding, towards regional cooperation and partnerships in the Western Balkans and beyond.

CONFERENCE


 

Important dates and deadlines for the event are listed below:

Early Bird until: 
Abstracts Submission:
Acceptance Notification: 
Advanced program: 
Registration ends:
Submission of the Presentations:
Submission of the CVs:
Submission of the Full Papers: 

30 September 2022
16 September 2022
23 September 2022
14 October 2022
01 November 2022
04 November 2022
21 October 2022
15 November 2022

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Day 1
08 Nov 2022
Day 2
09 Nov 2022
Day 3
10 Nov 2022

Workshop on “Hydraulic analyses of water supply systems or digital twins supporting NRW, Energy management of water utilities”

This workshop gives you an introduction to Digital Twin system of water supply and distribution systems and into practical aspects of their use. The aim of the workshop is to present up-today international methodologies, approaches and form discussion forum for participants regarding practical questions from daily working experience. The event provides a journey to complex Non-revenue water (NRW) and energy management applicable for utilities via accessible today technologies. Foundation of NRW management, tools and real utility examples are demonstrated. The role of hydraulic models is explained in a wider context in this course including various aspects of data management, model...
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PETR INGEDULD

Young Water Professionals Forum

The Young Water Professionals Forum will provide an open platform for final year University students and Young Water Professionals (less than 35 years old) who work in various institutions in the water and wastewater sector. Young Water Professionals are welcome to join the Forum at no cost and learn about ways to develop their careers in the water sector, including education and further education opportunities at MSc or even PhD. Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding: PRU Kosovo – Budapest Water Company (Open Activity)

Regional Workshop of the Benchmarking Program for the Kosovo and Albania HUB

The Workshop of the Benchmarking Program for Water and Sewerage Companies, under IAWD-D-leaP, is organized by the Benchmarking HUB of Kosovo and Albania. Each of the Water and Sewer Companies participating in the Benchmarking Program will discuss their progress and data analysis on the CaMP as a means to improve water and wastewater service performance in Albania and Kosovo. (Closed activity only by invitation)

Joint Meeting with Stakeholders on “Capacity Development in the Water Sector and Advocacy of the Water Associations for Creating an Enabling Environment”

The meeting organized jointly by SHUKALB and SHUKOS aims to facilitate the dialogue and coordination among the stakeholders on capacity development in the water supply and sewerage sector in Albania and Kosovo, as well as to facilitate the advocacy efforts of associations for creating an enabling environment. (Closed activity only by invitation)

Official Welcome

Zenel Zenelaj, President, Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosovo Chief Executive Officer, Regional Water Company, Southern Hidroregion Prizren, Kosovo
Petrit Tare, President, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania Administrator, Korçë Regional Water and Sewerage Company, Albania
Zenel Zenelaj
Petrit Tare

Greeting Remarks

H.E. Albin Kurti, Prime Minister, The Republic of Kosovo, (TBD)
H.E. Belinda Balluku, Vice Prime Minister; Minister, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Albania (TBD)
H.E. Getoar Mjeku, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy, Kosovo
H.E. Linda Çavdarbasha, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Kosovo
H.E. Thomas Kolly, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Swiss Embassy, Kosovo (TBD)
H.E. Laurent Torche, Deputy Head and First Secretary, Swiss Cooperation Office, Embassy of Switzerland, Kosovo
H.E. Matthias Conrad, Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy, Kosovo
H.E. Albin Kurti
H.E. Belinda Balluku
H.E. Getoar Mjeku
H.E. Linda Çavdarbasha
H.E. Thomas Kolly
H.E. Laurent Torche
H.E. Matthias Conrad

Greeting Remarks by the Sponsor of the Opening Ceremony of the Conference

Gábor Brandstätter, Director of International Business Development, Budapest Water Works
Gábor Brandstätter

Recognition and Awards Ceremony (Albania and Kosova)

Board of Directors Award 
Lifetime Service Award 

Official Opening of Exhibition

Cocktails in Exhibition Area

Conference Welcome

Elisabeta Poçi, Executive Director, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania
Elisabeta Poçi

Greeting Remarks

Linda Çavdarbasha, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Government of the Republic of Kosovo
Enkelejda Muçaj, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Albania
Enkelejda Muçaj
H.E. Linda Çavdarbasha

Keynote Address

Aude Farnault, Economist / Policy Analyst, Water Team, OECD Environment Directorate, France
"Seeing the Unseen: The Value of Water”
Aude FARNAULT

Plenary Session 1: Groundwater – Making the Invisible Visible

Moderator: Elisabeta Poçi, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania
Fatlije Buza, Water Quality Officer, Regional River Basin Authority, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Kosovo
Fidaim Sahiti, Environmental Development Agency Program in Kosovo, Swedish International Development Agency, Kosovo
Ylber Mirta, Head of the Water Department, Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, North Macedonia
Petrit Tare, Administrator, Korçë Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania
Dr. Arben Gjata, Lecturer, Fan S. Noli University, Korça, Albania
Aude Farnault, Economist / Policy Analyst, Water Team, OECD Environment Directorate, France
Discussion
Elisabeta Poçi
Fatlije Buza
Petrit Tare
Ylber Mirta
DR. Arben Gjata
Fidaim Sahiti
10:35 - 11:00

Coffee Break in the Exhibition Area

Technical Session 1: Water Resources Management

Moderator: Dr. Ilir Abdullahu, RWC Prishtina, Kosovo
Hazir S. Çadraku, UBT - Institution of Higher Education, Kosovo
"Monitoring the Water Flow in the Water Springs of the Central Part of Kosovo"
Ermela Kraja, Water Resource Management Agency, Albania
"Preparation of Management Plans for Ishem and Erzen Water Basins, According to the Water Framework Directive"
Maria Cheveresan, DHI Group, Rumani
"The Development of an Information System for Integrated Management of Water Resources"
Lorik Lajçi, Young Water Professional, Kosovo
"Water Balance Assessment: The Case of Kosovo"
Discussion
Maria Cheveresan
Lorik Lajçi
Ermela Kraja
Hazir S. Çadraku
Dr. Ilir Abdullahu

Technical Session 2: Technical Management of Water and Sewerage Companies

Moderator: Sokol Xhafa, RWC Prishtina, Kosovo
Amir Rexha, Hidromorava Regional Water Company, Kosovo
"Application of New Augmented Reality and GIS Technologies in the Virtualization of the Underground Infrastructure of the Water Supply Network"
Gábor Gönczi, Ramón Kreka, Budapest Water Works, Hungary
"A Practical Approach to the Application of CFD and Hydraulic Modelling at a Water Utility Company"
Zoltán Herczegh, DHI Group, Rumani
"Trenchless Technologies from 1” to DN1000 mm Used in Pipe Laying at Budapest Waterworks "
Gent Bytyçi, RWC Hidroregjioni Jugor Prizren, Kosovo
"The Application of GIS in the Monitoring of Non Revenue Water"
Discussion
Sokol Xhafa
Gent Bytyçi
Zoltán Herczegh
Ramón Kreka
Gábor Gönczi
Amir Rexha

Technical Session 3: Regulatory Challenges

Moderator: Ndriçim Shani, Water Regulatory Authority, Albania
Elda Kruja, Water Regulatory Authority, Albania
"New Methodology for Tariff Setting for Water Supply and Sewerage Services in Albania"
Hajrie Morina, Water and Waste Regulatory Office, Kosovo
"Development and Challenges of the Water Sector in Kosovo"
Milica Petrovic, Energy and Water Regulatory Agency, Montenegro
"The Role of the Regulator in the Water and Wastewater Sector in Montenegro: Challenges and Activities”
Discussion
Milica Petrovic
Ndriçim Shani
Elda Kruja
Hajrie Morina

Technical Session 4: Non-Revenue Water Management

Moderator: Mumin Morina, Hidromorava Regional Water Company, Kosovo
Thoma Koroveshi, Korçë Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania
"Active Leaks Control in the Water Supply Network of the City of Korça"
Besar Grazhda, RWC Hidroregjioni Jugor Prizren, Kosovo
"NRW Reduction and Efficient Optimization in the "SOZI" System - Gjonaj Village, Prizren"
Petr Ingeduld, DHI Group, Hungary
"Smart Solutions for Identification and Localization of Physical Losses in Water Distribution Systems Using Digital Twin Models"
Edmund Riehle, FAST groupe CLAIRE, Germany
"Large Pipeline Monitoring Through Inline Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS)"
Discussion
Besar Grazhda
Thoma Koroveshi
PETR INGEDULD
Mumin Morina
Edmund Riehle
13:10-14:35

Lunch Break

Plenary Session 2: Regionalization of Water and Wastewater Services: Challenges and Opportunities

Moderator: Baton Begolli, Inter-Ministerial Water Council, Office of the Prime Minister, Kosovo
Klevis Jahaj, General Director, National Agency for Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste Infrastructure, Albania
Ndriçim Shani, Chair of National Regulatory Commission, Water Regulatory Authority, Albania
Afrim Lajçi, Advisor, Inter-Ministerial Water Council, Office of the Prime Minister, Kosovo
Camilo Lombana Cordoba, Senior Water and Sanitation Specialist, World Bank Group, United States of America
Hajrie Morina, Director, Water Service Regulatory Authority, Kosovo
Elisabeta Poçi, Executive Director, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania
Discussion
Elisabeta Poçi
Klevis Jahaj
Ndriçim Shani
Camilo Lombana
Hajrie Morina
Baton Begolli
AFRIM LAJÇI

Technical Session 5: Organizational Management and Structure of Water Utilities

Moderator: Jovan Gjika, AKUM, Albania
Afrim Lajçi, Inter-Ministerial Water Council, Office of Prime Minister, Kosovo
"Regionalization of Water and Wastewater Services in Kosovo: Implementation of the Process and Effects on Improving the Performance of Water Companies"
Giel A.W. Verbeeck, TreeVelop Projects & Processes, Netherlands
"Utilities’ Corporate Development: A Generalised Method"
Rozarta Pura, Durrës Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania
"Organizational Management and Structure of Durres Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company"
Discussion
Rozarta Pura
Jovan Gjika
Giel Verbeeck
AFRIM LAJÇI

Technical Session 6: Integrated Asset Management

Moderator: Arbana Kola, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania
Erdonita Humolli, Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosovo
"Integrated Asset Management, Kosovo HUB"
Safete Isufi, Prishtina Regional Water Company, Kosovo
"Asset Management Practices in Prishtina Regional Water Company"
Bledar Meco, Tirana Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania
"Integration of the Information Systems in Tirana Water and Sewerage Company"
Bashkim Halabaku, Hidromorava Regional Water Company, Kosovo
"Application of ArcGIS Survey123 in Field Data Collection and Their Evaluation"
Discussion
Arbana Kola
Bledar Meco
Erdonita Humolli
Safete Isufi
Bashkim Halabaku

SOCIAL EVENT

Priview Bar

Conference Welcome

Abdullah Dërguti, Executive Director, Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosovo
Abdullah Degruti

Greeting Remarks

Getoar Mjeku, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy, Kosovo
H.E. Getoar Mjeku

Keynote Address

Prof. Hamanth Kasan, CEO, Jyoti Human Development cc.; Distinguished Fellow, International Water Association, IWA, South Africa
"Water and Wastewater Services in Uncertain Times: Dealing with the Global Crisis" 
Moritz Remé, Director KfW Office Kosovo and North Macedonia, KfW Development Bank, Kosovo
"Building Resilience of Kosovo’s Water Sector – An Integrated Approach"
Moritz Remé
Prof Hamanth Kasan

Plenary Session 3: Water and Wastewater Services in Uncertain Times: Dealing with the Global Crisis

Moderator: Premtim Islami, KfW Development Bank, Kosovo
Adem Ahmetaj, Policy and Monitoring Unit for Public Enterprices, Ministry of Economy, Kosovo
Klevis Jahaj, General Director, National Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste Infrastructure Agency, Albania
Elton Kacidhja, Administrator, Tirana Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania
Zenel Zenelaj, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Water Company, Southern Hidroregion Prizren, Kosovo
Gábor Brandstätter, International Business Development Director, Budapest Waterworks, Hungary
Dr. Katerina Schilling, Head of Secretariat, International Association of Water Service Companies in the Danube River Catchment Area, Austria
Discussion
ADEM AHMETAJ
Premtim Islami
Klevis Jahaj
Katerina Schilling
Elton Kacidhja
Gábor Brandstätter
Zenel Zenelaj
10:35 - 11:00

Coffee Break in the Exhibition Area

Technical Session 7: Energy Crisis: Challenges and Mitigation Measures

Moderator: Dr. Evis Gjebrea,Tirana Water Supply & Sewerage Company, Albania
Flauers Shoshi, AKUM, Albania
"Energy Efficiency in Water and Sewerage Companies"
Christian Minelli, Association of European Water Regulators, WAREG, Italy
“Addressing the Impacts of the Energy Crisis in the Water Sector in Europe: The role of Economic Regulators”
Shamil Rexhepi, Energy and Water services Regulatory Commission of The Republic of North Macedonia
"Facing the Energy Crisis and the Regulatory Challenges in North Macedonia"
Zsuzsanna Nagy, DHI Group, Hungari
"Energy Efficience and Water Loss—The New Way of Handling Water Supply Systems"
Discussion
Flauers Shoshi
Zsuzsanna Nagy
Shamil Rexhepi
Christian Minelli
Dr. Evis Gjebrea

Technical Session 8: Wastewater Management I

Moderator: Zef Maçi, Lezhë Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania
Ervin Buçpapaj, Sewage Disposal in Southwest Kosovo, Phase IV (Peje), Kosovo
"Industrial Wastewater Management – Legal framework in Kosovo"
Elton Hasanaj, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania
"Application of Nature-Based Solutions for Wastewater Treatment in Shtiqen Village, Kukës "
Prof. Ass. Dr. Lavdim Osmanaj, The University of Pristina, Kosovo
"Application of Nature-Based Solutions for Wastewater Treatment in Raushiq Village, Peja"
Lumni Sallahu, RWC Hidroregjioni Jugor Prizren, Kosovo
"Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Treatment Plants"
Discussion
Lumni Sallahu
Prof. Ass. Dr. Lavdim Osmanaj
Ervin Buçpapaj
Zef Maçi
Elton Hasanaj

Technical Session 9: Water Utilities Management I

Moderator: Dr. Katerina Schilling, IAWD, Austria
Afrim Lajçi, Inter-Ministerial Water Council, Office of Prime Minister, Kosovo
"Water Safety Plans as a Global Approach to Ensuring Drinking Water Quality"
Elton Hasanaj, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania
"Water Security Plans: Risk and Hazard Assessment Tool"
Radoslav Russev, Wadata, Bulgaria
"A Danube Region Master Class on Utility Management: Success Stories from UMT, Cycle 1"
Discussion
Radoslav Russev
Katerina Schilling
Elton Hasanaj
AFRIM LAJÇI

Technical Session 10: Wastewater Management II

Moderator:Aranit Ukimeri,RWC Hidroregjioni Jugor Prizren, Kosovo
Sanja Horvat,Sewage Disposal in Southwest Kosovo, Phase III (Gjakova),Kosovo
"Accompanying Measures in Operation and Maintenance of ITUN in Gjakova"
Ylberinë Baliu, Y.E.S. Kosovo
"Rationalisation of Wastewater Infrastructure in Kosovo"
Avni Caka,Gjakova Regional Water Company, Kosovo
"Identifying Problems in the Sewerage System Using CCTV"
Egzona Bejtullahu, Young Water Profesional, Kosovo
"Comparison of Two Effluent Disinfection Tanks with Different Geometric Designs"
Discussion
Sanja Horvat
YLBERINË BALIU
EGZONA BEJTULLAHU
Avni Caka
Aranit Ukimeri
13:05-14:30

Lunch Break

Plenary Session 4: Circular Economy in the Wastewater Context

Moderator:Prof. Asoc. Enkelejda Gjinali,Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania
Petrit Tare, Administrator, Korçë Regional Water and Sewerage Company, Albania
Leonat Muskollari,Advisor for Water and Sanitation, Customer and Performance Oriented Drinking Water and Sanitation Services, GIZ Albania
Arbana Kola,Project Manager, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania
Lorik Dervishaj,Head of Construction of Peja Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kosovo (TBD)
Discussion
Lorik Dervishaj
Arbana Kola
Petrit Tare
Leonat Muskollari
Prof. Asoc Enkelejda Gjinali

Technical Session 11: Water Utilities Management II

Moderator: Nadire Vitija, Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosovo
Valbona Paja, Shkodër Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania
"Best Benchmarking Practices in the Albanian and Kosovo Water Utilities"
Giel A.W. Verbeeck, TreeVelop Projects & Processes, Netherlands
"Using modelling software to prepare FAST compliant complex 3FS models for WSS"
Discussion
Nadire Vitija
Giel Verbeeck
Valbona Paja

Technical Session 12: Drinking Water Quality

Moderator:Jeton Shabani,RWC Bifurkacioni Ferizaj, Kosovo
Dr. Burbuqe Nushi-Latifi, Dr. Linda Maxhuni, National Institute for Public Health, Kosovo
"Drinking Water Quality Assurance and its Effects on Public Health"
Luljeta Ajdini, University of Business and Technology, Kosovo
"Determining the Bioquality of Drinking Water from the Open Water Supply Channel to the Drinking Water Processing Plant in Skabaj Based on Diatoms"
Discussion
Jeton Shabani
Dr.Burbuqe Nushi-Latifi
Luljeta Ajdini
DR. LINDITA MAXHUNI-THAÇI

Closure of the Conference:

Abdullah Dërguti, Executive Director, Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosovo
Elisabeta Poçi, Executive Director, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania
Elisabeta Poçi
Abdullah Degruti

REGISTRATION TO THE EXHIBITION

150.00 Euro/m²

Member to SHUKOS and/or SHUKALB

Book Now
250.00 Euro/m²

Non-Member to SHUKOS and/or SHUKALB

Book Now

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Location

EMERALD HOTEL, PRISHTINA, KOSOVO
Prishtina-Skopje Highway, Prishtina 10000

Our Sponsors

Testimonial

Both me and DHI colleagues that attended the conference found all the topics of very much interest and very actual. It was a greatly organized event, favorable for connecting high level experts and professionals and we look forward for our next year participation.

Dr. Maria Cheveresan, Head of International Development Eastern Europe