New citizen science research launched

On Monday, during a festive launch and information evening at the Limburg Maasbracht, a new citizen science research project in the drinking water sector got under way. More than fifty ‘temporary water researchers’ gathered to learn about the production of drinking water, the background of citizen science, and to receive instructions on how they’re to carry out the test at home in the weeks ahead.

Citizen science

In this research project of the drinking water company WML, more than 130 citizens will themselves measure the lime-scaling of their water using a simplified cooking test. Following the completion last year of the successful ‘freshness of water’ pilot project, three drinking water companies are this year undertaking their own research projects within which they work together with their clients. WML’s project focuses on lime.

This project’s unique feature is that, for the first time, an aselect group of clients was actively approached and invited to participate, which resulted in a very multifarious group of citizen scientists. The group is therefore a good representation of the residents of Midden-Limburg. Besides its more refined monitoring network, the project will also produce additional knowledge and experience about the (societal) value of projects in which professionals carry out research jointly with clients. For example, at various moments in the process, we question the participants about their motivation, experiences and perceptions. We expect the initial research results in mid-July.