ANCHOR: describing the impact of reusing water in sustainable homes

On Wednesday, 26 November, the Discovery Museum in Kerkrade opened its doors for the ANCHOR event ‘Source-separated Systems in Practice: Learning from the Superlocal Demo Site’. Participants from Flanders, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden came together to learn from the Superlocal initiative and to discuss the practical implementation of source-separated systems. The day consisted of a conference, followed by lunch and a tour of the Superlocal demo neighbourhood.

In the EU ANCHOR project, a range of organisations are studying the application of water reuse in the built environment from the technical, societal, governance and economic perspectives. The goal is to establish a picture of the impact of water reuse and provide guidance for application. In this project, KWR is focusing on knowledge questions relating to the issue that water reuse at the neighbourhood level not only requires the deployment of new technologies but also has an impact on governance and socio-economic aspects. Superlocal is a demo site, a circular area development in Kerkrade that aims to reuse the materials and qualities of two vacant high-rise flats to build 130 sustainable homes. This project includes the establishment of a closed water cycle for the residents.

More than water alone

The ANCHOR conference was opened by Arnold Jansen, a member of the executive board of the Limburg water authority. He expressed pride in what has been achieved at Superlocal and called on participants to share knowledge, study the results critically and engage in open dialogue. Ad de Man from the Limburg water authority and Geraldine Minten of WML then described nearly a decade of experience with Superlocal. “Superlocal is about more than water alone; the well-being of people and society is at the heart of this neighbourhood.”

“Is rainwater healthy?”

An interlude from Roberta Hofman of KWR Water Research illustrated the important role played by water. She addressed the question: Is rainwater healthy? Not unless it is treated, was the answer, partly because of the surprising presence of pharmaceutical traces in the samples that were analysed.

Motivation behind new technologies

Geraldine Minten rounded off with the lessons learned from Superlocal. First of all: take the time needed for this type of project. Five to ten years from idea to implementation is par for the course. Secondly: make sure the team has the right competences and the drive to work with new technologies. Knowledge sharing and knowledge building with technology providers are essential. Finally: residents are positive about the new technologies, and that is energising. Involve them in the experiment: they are the real ambassadors for the project.

Source-separated systems

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion with the aim of exchanging experiences from new and ongoing initiatives. Hamse Kjerstadius (NSVA water utility – Oceanhamnen project in Helsingborg, Sweden), Peter De Smet (DuCoop, sustainability services for the De Nieuwe Dokken pilot project), Ad de Man (Limburg water authority) and Sybren Gerbens (Fryslân water authority) spoke about their experiences with source-separated systems in a discussion led by Henk-Jan van Alphen (KWR). The discussion first addressed the main motives for using source separation. Saving drinking water and the recovery of resources were mentioned as components of the broader ambition of climate neutrality. In De Nieuwe Dokken, a sustainable housing project in Ghent and a pilot location for ANCHOR, energy conservation and production also played an important role.

Showcases

A major challenge at the outset of new initiatives is how to keep everyone on board. Hamse Kjerstadius said that the earlier stages of Oceanhamnen involved numerous discussions, with the preparations taking two years. “It’s important to keep people involved throughout the idea, decision and implementation phases.” DuCoop organised ownership by asking parties to invest in the cooperative. But whoever is involved, it is important to make sure there are showcases and good communications: twice as much as you initially think, was the conclusion.

Collaboration

The three-year ANCHOR project was awarded in 2023 as part of the EU’s INTERREG programme. The European project is a collaboration between KWR, Waternet and partners from Flanders, Germany and Sweden. ANCHOR is also financed by WiCE, the collective research programme of the drinking water companies at the interface of water, energy, raw materials and environment.