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Year Review 2024: Balance

The Year Review 2024, titled “Balance”, describes a year in which KWR’s commitment to a range of major challenges in the water sector continued unabated. Looking back on the year, we describe our work in areas such as water quality and health, freshwater availability and public design for water. The research programmes Waterwijs and Water in the Circular Economy (WiCE), and the GRROW lab, played a central role in our activities.

Mariëlle van der Zouwen, the KWR CEO, emphasises: “Good research needs balance. Between fundamental curiosity and applying insights, between inspiration to move ahead listening to what is needed, between a short-term and long-term focus, and between the exact and social sciences.”

From world stage to Waterwijs

In this Year Review of 2024, we bring you up to date with exceptional projects, alliances and milestones that illustrate how KWR is contributing to future-resilient water management. For example, we look back on the international contribution to the ULTIMATE project and on the podium we had at the IWA Congress in Toronto. But we also had an impact closer to home: from the strategic development of the UPPWATER Growth Fund Initiative to the repositioning of the collective research programme under the new Waterwijs name. Alongside Waterwijs, the collective research programme Water in the Circular Economy (WiCE) launched a new six-year programme in 2024.

Recognition for research with an impact

Of course, the appreciation we received for our work is also covered. A particular highlight was the award of the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2024 to colleague Gertjan Medema for his pioneering research into virus detection in wastewater during the corona pandemic. The opening of the new green hydrogen production station by King Willem-Alexander also emphasises how our knowledge is being put to practical use and the role of water research in a carbon-neutral future.

Balance in motion

We are setting our sights on the future but we stay rooted in scientific curiosity and societal relevance. In this 2024 Year Review, we not only look back on a year full of research and accomplishments, we also look ahead. Balanced, but always in motion.

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