About Us

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Experience

A success story

In the last three decades Portugal has implemented an integrated and consistent public policy in the water sector, with a very positive impact on society, the economy, public health and the environment. The creation of an effective regulatory framework and the improvement in the management of entities providing water services also contributed to these results. The knowledge and experience gained from this success story make it possible to share this learning with other countries. LIS-Water’s experience builds on that experience.

Evolution of water services in Portugal (1993-2019)

Source: ERSAR and APA

The particular characteristics of the country, with geographic, orographic, hydrological and social diversity (mainland and islands), diversity of governance models (state, municipal and private) and diversity of adopted technologies, make it an even more interesting case, with many successes and some mistakes, from which important lessons can be learned.

A story of cooperation

Portugal has historically a culture of openness to the world, facilitating the connection with many nations on all continents, regardless of their cultures and beliefs. It has also demonstrated a strong capacity to establish international connections and implementation, some examples of which are given.

A country of culture and modernity

Portugal combines special characteristics such as culture, tradition, leadership, security and language. Portugal is the heart of Lusophony, with more than 260 million people worldwide who speak Portuguese, the 5th most spoken language in the world. It is among the 10 countries in the world with the best science education, according to a recent OECD study. The Portuguese National Health Service is considered the 12th best in the world, according to the World Health Organization. It ranks as the 3rd most peaceful country in the world, maintaining a stable unitary semi-presidential republican form of government (The Global Peace Index, by the Institute for Economics and Peace, 2017).

We want to share our experience, improving together.

Welcome Message

The vision of Associação LIS-Water – Lisbon International Center for Water is to contribute to a better world through better water governance. It thus promotes more effective, efficient and resilient water supply and wastewater and rainwater management services, within the framework of sustainable development objectives.

These water services are essential for the well-being of citizens and for economic activities, with a clear impact on improving public health, environmental sustainability and mitigating risks, namely arising from climate change.. They generate benefits in terms of job creation, economic growth, increased social stability and reduced conflicts, contributing to a more developed, peaceful, equitable and healthy society.

LIS-Water’s mission is thus to reinforce public policies, regulation and management of water services for the benefit of society, integrating the best knowledge in management, economics, engineering, law, social sciences, communication and other relevant areas.

Together with its partners, the association intends to make available and produce the best and most up-to-date knowledge at an international level and to transfer it continuously to decision-makers, water professionals, industry and society.

In this way, we will make our contribution towards achieving the great goals of humanity regarding better water governance, for a better world.

The Board of Directors

Rita Brito

President of the Board of Directors

Eduardo Marques

Member of the Board of Directors

José Matos

Member of the Board of Directors

We take care of water services, essential to the well-being of society.

The members of LIS-Water represent the main players in the water sector in Portugal.

National Civil Engineering Laboratory (LNEC)

Public institution for research and scientific and technological development in Portugal, one of the largest civil engineering laboratories in the world.

Foundation for Studies and Training in Local Authorities (FEFAL)

Non-profit entity, formed by the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities, to carry out information, training, research, technical advice, international cooperation on relevant topics for Local Authorities.

Associação das Empresas Portuguesas para o Sector do Ambiente (AEPSA)

Business association that represents and defends the collective interests of private companies that intervene in the environmental sector, acting as a dynamic player in the development of the market in the environmental sector.

Portuguese Partnership for Water (PPA)

Network of entities that aims to develop synergies and maximize potential for the development of the water sector in the world, promoting alliances and partnerships between national institutions and nations committed to the sustainable use of water and the enhancement of water resources.

Grupo Águas de Portugal (AdP)

The AdP Group is responsible for the integrated management of the urban water cycle, providing services to Municipalities, which are simultaneously shareholders of the companies managing multi-municipal systems, and directly serving the population through municipal water supply and sanitation systems.

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