Sergey Sivaev

The long-term viability and sustainability of biosolids land application is dependent on continuously earning stakeholder confidence, trust and support. This requires ongoing and effective engagement and communication with key stakeholders about the beneficial use of biosolids in their communities. The goal of the risk communications research was to develop processes, tools and materials to help biosolids managers conduct effective outreach and dialogue with key stakeholders in the communities where they operate, first on biosolids land application and its beneficial use, then on specific challenges such as communicating about potential health risks due to pathogens in biosolids. The researchers developed a state-of-the-science Strategic Risk Communications Process, tools and materials that can be adapted and used by biosolids program managers. The Process was applied and validated through two case studies, which involved in-depth research with landowners who receive biosolids and neighbors to biosolids land application sites and, in one case, community health officials. The research demonstrated that the key influence on these stakeholders' judgments on the acceptability of biosolids land application is the trust they have in the people who are producing the product, the people who are using the product and the people are overseeing and ensuring the safe appropriate use of biosolids. These stakeholders recognized the benefits and risks associated with biosolids land application and support its beneficial use. However, their support was not unconditional - they had questions about the long-term health and environmental impacts of such application. The process, tools and materials developed through this project will serve to address these and other key questions, while enabling biosolids managers to continually build stakeholder support for biosolids land application.

Russia is going through a complicated period of transforming its economy with a focus on the expansion of private sector activity. This includes reforms in the field of municipal water supply and wastewater disposal. This report presents an analysis of the condition of the municipal water supply and wastewater systems in Russia in the early part of the 21st Century and tries to provide answers to the eternal questions: what are the causes of problems faced and what needs to be done to solve them? The objectives of the reform of Russia's Vodokanals are described, along with the regulatory framework governing the sector, including the way tariffs are regulated. The current condition of water and wastewater infrastructure is assessed. The most prominent examples of private sector involvement to date are examined. The report concludes with a short-range forecase of developments. The report will be of interest to those wanting to understand the transformation processes taking place in Russia in the field of municipal water supply and wastewater disposal. It will also be of value to potential investors who are looking to take advantage of the favourable investment climate created recently in the country and who are considering possible long-term investment in the management, reconstruction and development of municipal water-related infrastructure.