Four new WiCE projects for a future-proof water sector

WiCE projects focus on issues that affect multiple domains, such as water, energy and raw materials. Four new projects were launched in the past year; a brief explanation of each is provided below.

Circular Testing Ground for Water-Conscious Construction (2025–2027)

In the coming years, the Netherlands aims to build 900,000 new homes, which presents both significant opportunities and responsibilities. This project focuses on three knowledge gaps that are crucial to water-conscious construction: safeguarding public health, developing an integrated view of promising system concepts, and establishing assessment frameworks for sustainability.

By gathering knowledge and experience from various testing grounds and translating it into practical knowledge building blocks, WiCE supports drinking water companies, municipalities, water boards, and project developers in scaling up water-efficient, sustainable, and healthy building concepts. The results are incorporated into the National Action Plan for Drinking Water Conservation (NPvA) and contribute to water conservation, new sanitation, climate adaptation and nature-inclusive construction.

Read more about the project here.

Deep Adaptation for the Water Sector – phase 2 (2025–2026)

The water sector is well prepared for disruptions such as floods and power outages, but what if social or ecological conditions change so drastically that a return to the old situation is no longer possible? This project investigates how water companies and water boards can prepare for possible “state changes”, such as climate tipping points, large-scale migration or social collapse.  Developing the capacity to adapt to such state changes is referred to as deep adaptation.

The first phase of the Deep Adaptation for the Water Sector project will be completed in 2024, laying the foundation for developing an action plan for the sector during this phase. Concrete adaptation measures are being developed based on possible state changes, experiences from crisis areas and analyses of dependencies. In addition, material is being produced to help discuss and communicate these scenarios.

Read more about the project here.

Area-specific PFAS approach (2025–2026)

PFAS pose a growing challenge to water quality and public health. The Area-specific PFAS approach: system & governance analysis project maps how drinking water-relevant PFAS spread in the Meuse river basin, where they come from and which actors are involved in the creation and reduction of emissions.

By combining existing measurement data from the Clean Meuse Water Chain (SMWK), literature and area information, an area-specific system insight is created. The project then investigates the responsibilities and scope for action of actors in the governance network. The results – including a system analysis and governance analysis – will be made public immediately and can be used for awareness-raising, monitoring, source detection and policy development relating to PFAS.

Read more about the project here.  

Together for Balance II (2024–2027) 

In recent years, the WiCE programme has developed knowledge about both the physical and social aspects of the water transition. The Together for Balance II: Water System and Water Chain Connected project brings together the water system and water chain to develop solutions that strengthen the regional freshwater supply. The transition process is being shaped in collaboration with water companies and regional partners, while knowledge and tools—such as Water System Thinking, Water System Modelling and the Water System Explorer—are being further developed and tested in practice.

Regional case studies are being used to investigate which measures offer opportunities or, conversely, create bottlenecks for greater freshwater availability. The project will deliver a strengthened joint knowledge base, improved simulation tools and supporting working methods. It will also help stakeholders to develop a shared understanding and a perspective for action. In this way, concrete work is being done on the step from planning to implementation within the water transition.

Read more about the project here.