Watercycle Research Institute

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From a solid base in drinking water...
KWR assists the water sector in facing this challenge with powerful means. For all partners in the water-use cycle, we develop and unlock relevant knowledge about the watercycle: from water systems to water technology and (healthy) water quality. Having started out as Kiwa Water Research, a section of KIWA NV, KWR has been an independent entity since 2007.As a research institute, we have built up a solid foundation from over 60 years of research and development for the Dutch drinking water sector companies, our current shareholders. Unique in the world, this collaboration of the water companies in the Netherlands has resulted in a powerful knowledge base and an extensive collective memory for the drinking water sector.

 ... to a research institute for the entire watercycle
KWR is now applying this knowledge base and research capability more broadly to serve all partners in the watercycle. Water companies, waterboards, industrial water (technology) users, recreationists and water managers all share the same water sources – and many even share comparable technologies. These water sector partners are more and more explicitly faced with the social assignment of working in collaboration to give water use an integrated framework. Producing and distributing drinking water and collecting and treating used water cannot be regarded separately.

Organization

Organogram KWR 2010 ENG

Mission
KWR wishes to provide its partners in the watercycle with the means to realise these objectives sustainably – ranging from efficient and sustainable business management to the Millennium Development Goals. KWR helps the water sector to identify the challenges it faces, and offers it the means and innovative strategies to meet these challenges successfully.

The natural resources – from surface waters to physical space – are used too intensively in our densely populated area for such an approach. All water sector parties must focus more on the sustainable reuse of raw materials and multiple use of scarce space, both above and under ground. To them, efficiency is key, innovative technology an important solution source, and integration as well as administrative collaboration essential. Only if these fundamental preconditions are met, will they succeed in jointly establishing a sustainable water-use cycle and thus responsibly use the watercycle, nature and the environment.