About Us

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Motivation

LIS-Water emerged from the growing awareness of the need for countries to respond more effectively to the challenges of water services, recognized as one of the greatest priorities of Humanity. Since 2015, all countries must meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (ODS) by 2030, including ODS 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation for All. ODS 6 has a cross-cutting nature and is essential for achieving all the other ODS. Several other international and national policy documents impose similar obligations and suggest similar commitments on countries around the world.

In response to these challenges, various initiatives have been implemented and very significant investments have been mobilized in the sector in most countries. Despite this, the results worldwide continue to fall far short of expectations:

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people still do not have safe access to drinking water services

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people do not yet have safe access to waste water services

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people reject waste water and excrement without adequate treatment in the environment

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people are affected by water stress, with a tendency to double by 2050

0 million
people still do not have safe access to drinking water services

0 million
people do not yet have safe access to waste water services

This situation is because the governance structures of water services are weak and fragmented in many countries with inadequate political, institutional and administrative practices and processes. The water problem is, in fact, largely a governance problem and will only be overcome if countries are able to implement in a structured and integrated manner good public policies, effective regulation and adequate management of these services.

The search for innovative solutions that integrate the various visions and disciplines is a pressing challenge. We must also reduce the gap between the level of knowledge and practice and improve communication and coordination between all the agents involved. Policymakers and decision makers must be more aware of the challenges and make decisions based on the best knowledge available. Water professionals and organizations need to be continuously qualified and empowered and internalize the advancement of knowledge and innovation. Industry and entrepreneurs need to be supported and attracted by the industry contributing to the resolution of problems. Finally, society needs to be more informed and involved with water issues.

We contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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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