Day 2

On the Tuesday, the agenda focused on the visit to the operations department of the water supply network, and on getting to know the team there. Highlights included an introduction to the work process of trenchless replacement of water supply network pipes, a demonstration of the search for hidden leaks, and a tour and demonstration of special vehicles used in the search and location of accidents in water supply networks.

Coincidentally, a search for ten suitcases that had arbitrarily been booked onto another flight by the airline had been under way since the Sunday evening. But this problem was also successfully solved with some excitement and great efforts during the night.

Day 3

The Wednesday began with an excursion to the Technical University of Berlin, where a lecture on reducing leakages in water supply networks was presented in the Fluid System Dynamics (FSD) laboratory. A so-called 'digital twin' – an immaterial object from the real world in the digital world – was demonstrated in a modern software application for process visualisations for machines and plants – 'SCADA system'. The hosts also presented the latest method of flood protection in the city in times of torrential rainfall.

The Ukrainian colleagues then travelled on by bus to Dresden, where a joint tour of the city, including an informal dinner in a historical atmosphere, formed the kick-off for the next part of the meeting.

 
Day 4

In the morning, a young colleague from the foreman's department gave the Ukrainian delegates a tour of the Dresden sewage treatment plant. During the tour he answered in a professional manner the visitors' many questions about the various treatment stages in wastewater purification.

An intensive discourse on the priorities of the work plan and the methods to be chosen filled the afternoon. Key topics highlighted included the improvement of plant management in the field of water supply and wastewater disposal, the treatment of sewage sludge, and the discharge and treatment of industrial wastewater and rainwater. Notwithstanding this, maintaining the operational capability and the upkeep of utilities affected by the current state of war or force majeure play an important role (blackout plan).

In the afternoon, an unscheduled visit to a flood pumping station was organised. During the visit, delegates were given an overview of the latest procedures to prevent the flooding of sewage treatment plants and to prevent untreated sewage from entering the River Elbe during floods.

Day 5

The final working day involved an excursion to the Helmholtz Centre and a visit to the CLEWATEC laboratory. The delegates also received a technical introduction to developments in improved wastewater aeration. This was followed by a visit to a waterworks in Dresden, and a glimpse into various water treatment technologies. The day was rounded off with a guided tour of Volkswagen's Gläserne Manufaktur, followed by a final dinner.

In the final reflection of the trip on the day of departure (01/10/2022), all participants agreed that this working meeting had given so much valuable input, strengthened the bonds between 'acquaintances old and new', and highlighted the value of utility partnership even in particularly difficult situations. The week ended with these honest words on all sides: 'Colleagues have become friends’. This made it difficult to say goodbye and travel home into the unknown.

Unfortunately, the planned follow-up meeting – starting at Stadtentwässerungsbetriebe Köln AöR and ending at Stadtentwässerung Dresden GmbH – could not take place at the end of October. The trip could not be approved because the critical infrastructure in Ukraine is coming under increasing attack, and in an emergency every hand is needed. Once again, a rethink and some creative ideas are required.

The programme now includes effective distance training and workshops, as well as focused work in smaller working groups. And let's not forget: delivery of the extensive aid shipment at the end of this year, which will include technical goods to maintain the services of the three partner utilities.