Ruud Bijnen

Communication officer
Scientific researcher

030-6066552
ruud.bijnen@kwrwater.nl
06-11832413

Ruud is working on developing SharePoint websites for use within and outside KWR. He also supports the programme managers in their work.

Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
The role of sludge in infiltration ponds in OMP removal during dune infiltration

Drinking water utilities that use dune infiltration or riverbank filtration employ infiltration ponds with a sludge layer. This project investigates the role played by the thickness and conditions…

Read more about The role of sludge in infiltration ponds in OMP removal during dune infiltration
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
ANCHOR: broad knowledge development about urban water reuse

In this project, we will study the application of water reuse in the built environment from technical, societal, governance and economic perspectives. The goal is to establish a…

Read more about ANCHOR: broad knowledge development about urban water reuse
Health
Biological activity
Biological treatment of RO concentrate

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water treatment technique that involves the use of semi-permeable membranes to remove unwanted molecules and particles. It is an effective way of extracting a wide variety of…

Read more about Biological treatment of RO concentrate
Health
Biological activity
Risk of L. pneumophila with heating networks

In this project, a qualitative microbiological risk analysis is being conducted to determine the effect of using heating networks for domestic connections on the number of patients with L. pneumophila. In addition, we…

Read more about Risk of L. pneumophila with heating networks
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
VIPNL: Wetland crops on water-rich peat

This project is investigating how wetland agriculture on water-rich peat can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land subsidence, and deliver improvements in water quality and biodiversity. The focus is on…

Read more about VIPNL: Wetland crops on water-rich peat
Health
Safe innovation and the water sector
TUBES as a controlled test environment for low-threshold pilot projects

In this project, we are investigating the possibilities and limitations of distributed-optical-fibre detection techniques in a controlled test environment. This projectis being organised in a broad alliance of…

Read more about TUBES as a controlled test environment for low-threshold pilot projects
Health
Emerging contaminants
Lead from brass components – phase III

This project examines the Dutch drinking water sector’s sampling protocol to control lead concentrations at the tap. With a tightening of the lead standard, the performance of this protocol needs to be…

Read more about Lead from brass components – phase III
Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Insight into connecting pipes

There is still not enough attention being paid to connecting pipes in the transport and distribution network of the Dutch water utilities and De Watergroep in Flanders. Our understanding of the condition, failure probability and residual lifespan…

Read more about Insight into connecting pipes
Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Impact of internal factors on malfunctions

Can malfunctions and/or repair work and pump operations lead to new malfunctions in the mains? This project will investigate this question by determining whether there is a statistical relationship between these factors…

Read more about Impact of internal factors on malfunctions
Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Quantitative added value of digital water meters and other sensors at customer locations

What are the benefits for the distribution process of different versions of smart water meters and the additional sensors? In this project, quantitative descriptions and model studies will…

Read more about Quantitative added value of digital water meters and other sensors at customer locations
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Improving the reliability and practicality of an AI-based tool for data validation and correction

Water companies are increasingly using sensor data for advanced process monitoring and control for key variables. They are therefore increasingly reliant on high-quality data. In this project, the…

Read more about Improving the reliability and practicality of an AI-based tool for data validation and correction
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Reduction of pressure on groundwater through reuse of water from dairy plants in agriculture

Groundwater in the Netherlands is under pressure, both in terms of quantity and quality. Groundwater is used in several activities, including drinking water production, agriculture and industry. In…

Read more about Reduction of pressure on groundwater through reuse of water from dairy plants in agriculture
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Digital water – building a conceptual cost-benefit framework based on the experiences of frontrunners

Several water companies at home and abroad have taken far-reaching steps in digitising their operations. In this project, we deepen our understanding of the drivers of frontrunners for…

Read more about Digital water – building a conceptual cost-benefit framework based on the experiences of frontrunners
Health
Biological activity
Evaluation of Aeromonas legal standard

Since the 1980s Aeromonas in drinking water has been included as a microbiological parameter in the Dutch Drinking Water Decree. Currently, Aeromonas standard exceedances are generally tolerated, partly because it is unclear…

Read more about Evaluation of Aeromonas legal standard
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Biomonitoring of atmospheric nitrogen deposition with mosses

It was expected that the emission of nitrogen during the COVID-19 crisis and the lockdowns would diminish because of the sharp reduction in human activities. This would apply…

Read more about Biomonitoring of atmospheric nitrogen deposition with mosses
Society
Valorisation
Automatic water-quality control for good recirculation water in greenhouse horticulture

Greenhouse horticulture irrigation water, when recirculated, acquires a complex composition. The impact this has on crops is for the most part unknown. The possibility of determining whether the…

Read more about Automatic water-quality control for good recirculation water in greenhouse horticulture
Health
Biological activity
Biological stability parameters in operational practice

New methods for determining and predicting biological stability developed since 2010 are applied less often in daily drinking water practice than are the previously existing older methods. This,…

Read more about Biological stability parameters in operational practice
Health
Microbial safety
Fast alternative for the heterotrophic plate count at 22°C (HPC22) following interventions in the drinking water distribution system

This project will determine which method is suitable for the detection of anomalies in the microbial water quality following maintenance activities or pipe breaks in the drinking water…

Read more about Fast alternative for the heterotrophic plate count at 22°C (HPC22) following interventions in the drinking water distribution system
Looking ahead
Futures studies and response strategies
PUSH-IT: demonstration and development of seasonal underground heat storage systems

The EU aims to become carbon neutral by 2050. Large-scale seasonal underground heat storage has an important part to play in meeting this objective, because heating and cooling…

Read more about PUSH-IT: demonstration and development of seasonal underground heat storage systems
Solar panels on water reservoirs

Drinking water reservoirs have a large water surface. The installation of floating solar panels on reservoirs can be an effective strategy to generate energy. However, the question is, if and what impacts do solar panels have on…

Read more about Solar panels on water reservoirs
Sustainability
Sustainable energy
Power-to-X Province of Utrecht

The energy system of the Netherlands must become clean and future-proof, but also remain reliable and affordable. Local production of sustainable solar or wind energy will play an important part in this effort. In order to accelerate…

Read more about Power-to-X Province of Utrecht
Health
Emerging contaminants
Water Quality Knowledge Impulse

Over the past four years, work in the Water Quality Knowledge Impulse has focused on learning more about the quality of groundwater and surface water, and the factors that affect that quality. The aim of the Water…

Read more about Water Quality Knowledge Impulse
Health
Emerging contaminants
PARC: European partnership for the assessment of risks from chemicals

The EU-wide research and innovation programme PARC was established in order to improve the risk assessment and sustainability of chemicals. The PARC project will strengthen the scientific basis…

Read more about PARC: European partnership for the assessment of risks from chemicals
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Chances for Concentrate

In this project, we are investigating how the circular processing of concentrated residual streams can contribute to future-resilient and socially responsible freshwater supplies. This involves recovering water and producing raw materials for which there is a market.…

Read more about Chances for Concentrate
Health
Emerging contaminants
Implementation of screening and NTS methods in practice

Drinking water laboratories have recently expressed a need for the further integration of screening methods, including non-target screening (NTS), in the methods used to monitor water quality. Technological…

Read more about Implementation of screening and NTS methods in practice
Health
Emerging contaminants
Environmental forensics: pollution signatures

The presence of anthropogenic substances in the drinking water chain poses challenges for the water sector, and specifically for drinking water companies. That presence is undesirable, and sometimes even problematic. Although treatment…

Read more about Environmental forensics: pollution signatures
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Big data – analysis and integration of chemical and toxicological data

Monitoring the water quality of drinking water is challenging due to the presence of complex mixtures of mostly unknown substances that vary in concentration and composition. Over the…

Read more about Big data – analysis and integration of chemical and toxicological data
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Effect-based monitoring of water quality in the circular economy

Freshwater from groundwater or surface water sources is becoming scarce in dry periods, driving a rise in interest in the use/re-use of rainwater and treated domestic and industrial…

Read more about Effect-based monitoring of water quality in the circular economy
Health
Emerging contaminants
Drugs production waste in groundwater: field research and action perspectives

Little is still known about the impact of the long-term or extensive discharge of chemical waste from the production of synthetic drugs (SYNDRU) on groundwater quality and therefore…

Read more about Drugs production waste in groundwater: field research and action perspectives
Health
Emerging contaminants
Toxicology on Target

The domain of toxicological risk assessment is constantly evolving and it is essential to follow these developments closely. It has been noted that an adequate response to water quality issues requires the ongoing development of knowledge and…

Read more about Toxicology on Target
Health
Emerging contaminants
Microplastics in water treatment

Plastics are a ubiquitous part of everyday life and they are found in fresh water throughout the Netherlands. In this project, we describe the nature and levels of microplastics (20 - 500 µm) at different stages of…

Read more about Microplastics in water treatment
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Text mining for the early detection of relevant water pollutants

Long before substances are included in regulations and monitoring programmes, text sources such as reports, social media, press releases, regulatory agency websites or the scientific literature can provide…

Read more about Text mining for the early detection of relevant water pollutants
Health
Emerging contaminants
Are PMOCs less toxic?

Persistent mobile organic compounds (PMOC) accumulate in the water cycle and are hardly removed during water treatment. For a long time, these substances have been under-researched but recent studies show that they are present in worrying concentrations.…

Read more about Are PMOCs less toxic?
Health
Emerging contaminants
Nanoplastics in drinking water

It is becoming increasingly clear that plastic is everywhere. That has been demonstrated in numerous environmental compartments, including soil, sediment, surface water and air. Data about the presence of microplastic particles in surface water are sparse, and…

Read more about Nanoplastics in drinking water
Health
Emerging contaminants
Water-soluble polymers – Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020

Water-soluble polymers are often neglected because they are not covered by the definition of microplastics and are not visible. As a result, very little is still known about…

Read more about Water-soluble polymers – Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020
Health
Biological activity
VO Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020 (LDIR and biofilm)

The regrowth and biofilm formation of micro-organisms on pipe material and membranes lead to problems in drinking water systems. To combat biofilm formation, a knowledge of the dynamics…

Read more about VO Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020 (LDIR and biofilm)
Health
Emerging contaminants
Clearer picture of the formation of transformation products during drinking water treatment thanks to integrated strategies

During drinking water production, biotic and antibiotic processes can form transformation products (TP) from organic micropollutants (OMP). How these substances behave in water treatment and how toxic they…

Read more about Clearer picture of the formation of transformation products during drinking water treatment thanks to integrated strategies
Enabling technologies
New materials and technologies
Improved prioritisation and fragmentation improve the identification of unknown substances with non-target screening

Non-target screening (NTS) is based on the combination of liquid chromatography in conjunction with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). In addition, tailored data analysis, with target and suspect screening,…

Read more about Improved prioritisation and fragmentation improve the identification of unknown substances with non-target screening
Health
Emerging contaminants
Contribution to Toxicology Knowledge Impulse

We are making and using more and more substances in larger and larger quantities. Analyses by collaborating European ecologists and ecotoxicologists have shown that exposure to mixtures of chemicals is a limiting…

Read more about Contribution to Toxicology Knowledge Impulse
Health
Emerging contaminants
Survey of drug waste emission pathways and relevance for the drinking water sector

The Netherlands has a thriving illegal industry for the production of synthetic drugs such as amphetamine (speed), MDMA (XTC) and “designer drugs”. It releases all kinds of waste…

Read more about Survey of drug waste emission pathways and relevance for the drinking water sector
Health
Emerging contaminants
Integration of non-target screening, statistical analyses and bioassays for the global assessment of chemical water quality

Thanks to developments in screening methods based on high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), the detection of chemicals in water now not only allows for the detection of specific substances…

Read more about Integration of non-target screening, statistical analyses and bioassays for the global assessment of chemical water quality
Health
Emerging contaminants
Highly polar compounds I

An understanding of the presence of highly polar compounds in sources of drinking water is important because these substances can threaten drinking water supplies. This is because highly polar compounds can spread well in water and soil,…

Read more about Highly polar compounds I
Health
Emerging contaminants
New chemical analysis methods

The world around us is changing rapidly and new techniques emerge regularly. The ongoing assessment of detection technologies (instrumental and otherwise) makes it possible to identify their possible value for the water sector in good time. BTO…

Read more about New chemical analysis methods
Health
Biological activity
Trigger value data gaps I and II

There are a lot of advantages to testing water quality with in vitro bioassays but this technique can only be properly applied if the bioassay responses can be compared with ‘effect-based trigger values’ (EBT). This study determines…

Read more about Trigger value data gaps I and II
Health
Emerging contaminants
Exploration of sources, behaviour and risk of new substances

At present, the count for substances with a CAS number stands at over 194 million. New substances are being registered, produced and applied at a rapid pace. The…

Read more about Exploration of sources, behaviour and risk of new substances
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Digital twins for the water sector

'Digital twins' is the buzzword of recent years in many industries, including the water industry. The term is used to indicate digital representations (copies in some way) of physical systems. In some…

Read more about Digital twins for the water sector
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Effects of interventions in the distribution network on the existing microorganisms: DNA techniques offer clarity

Earlier research by Evides Waterbedrijf revealed that the number and composition of microbial populations can change during the distribution process of drinking water. This 2018 research was undertaken…

Read more about Effects of interventions in the distribution network on the existing microorganisms: DNA techniques offer clarity
Health
Emerging contaminants
QSAR and read-across models for water quality

In silico models for predicting the toxicity of contaminants deliver added value for water-quality issues. The chemical structure of a contaminant and data about similar substances provide insight in the toxicological properties…

Read more about QSAR and read-across models for water quality
Health
Biological activity
Risk of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water

The water utilities have indicated that research into opportunistic pathogens in drinking water has a high priority. This is because these pathogens could represent a potential health risk. This project’s priority is…

Read more about Risk of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Digital twin for treatment process

A digital twin provides water utilities with a firm foundation for the transition towards a (more) data-driven organisation, with prospects of optimisation, better insight or more effective management. Many organisations want to…

Read more about Digital twin for treatment process
Health
Biological activity
Exploratory Research: Water Quality Footprint

The water sector is today actively working on CO2 emission reduction (and climate neutrality). Up until now, the possibility of including water quality improvement in environmental impact methodologies has however been very…

Read more about Exploratory Research: Water Quality Footprint
Health
Microbial safety
Passive sampling of microbiological parameters

The aim of this project is to establish a picture of whether passive sampling for microbiological detection can deliver added value over taking samples. Passive sampling is a way of sampling chemicals…

Read more about Passive sampling of microbiological parameters
Health
Emerging contaminants
Improved water quality through advanced oxidation and dune infiltration

The Dunea drinking water utility uses surface water to produce drinking water by means of dune filtration. In the decades ahead, the quality of the river water that…

Read more about Improved water quality through advanced oxidation and dune infiltration
Health
Emerging contaminants
VHP4Safety: Towards chemical safety assessment based on human data

Chemical safety assessment, designed to minimise the risks of chemical exposures to human health and the environment, has traditionally been based on animal testing. Many natural and man-made…

Read more about VHP4Safety: Towards chemical safety assessment based on human data
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Reducing drinking-water consumption by business

There has been an increasing emphasis in recent years on water savings and water awareness among domestic clients. A similar research focus is needed for business and that is the aim of…

Read more about Reducing drinking-water consumption by business
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
GRROW – Generational and Radical Rethinking of the Water Sector

What should the water sector look like in 2070? In what respect does the sector need to radically reinvent itself. And what are the things that we really…

Read more about GRROW – Generational and Radical Rethinking of the Water Sector
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Digital Twin for the development of data and model to support ASR management systems

Subsurface water storage, also known as Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), of excess freshwater can play an important role in enhancing the sustainability of water use in the…

Read more about Digital Twin for the development of data and model to support ASR management systems
Sustainability
Sustainable resources
Power-to-Protein: efficient input of hydrogen (phase 3)

In recent years great progress has been achieved within the TKI Water Technology programme with the Power-to-Protein concept: the recovery of ammonium from the wastewater cycle for use…

Read more about Power-to-Protein: efficient input of hydrogen (phase 3)
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Connecting the water cycle and the water system for a better balance of water demand and supply

Sufficient freshwater, for all users and functions. This is also a growing challenge in the Netherlands and Flanders. A solution is being sought in self-provision at the regional…

Read more about Connecting the water cycle and the water system for a better balance of water demand and supply
Health
Biological activity
Predicting the biodegradation of organic micropollutants

Drinking and wastewater companies have to work with problem substances that are not removed, or not removed properly, during the treatment process. In this new exploratory study, we…

Read more about Predicting the biodegradation of organic micropollutants
Health
Safe innovation and the water sector
Water-Futures

How should the world achieve high-quality water services in the future while facing severe climate, economic and population pressures under deep uncertainty? Water-Futures, a 10M Euros European Research Council (ERC) funded project (ERC Synergy Grant), aims to…

Read more about Water-Futures
Sustainability
Sustainable energy
Q&A, Aquathermal and Thermal Energy from Drinking water (TED)

Aquathermal energy is a relatively new subject. This Q&A has been drawn up as a guide to the most frequently asked questions about Aquathermal Energy, and specifically Thermal…

Read more about Q&A, Aquathermal and Thermal Energy from Drinking water (TED)
Looking ahead
Futures studies and response strategies
ARSINOE

Resilience to climate change ARSINOE, a large four-year European Commission (EC) funded project (budget 15M Euros), aims to build an innovative ecosystem for climate change adaptation solutions. ARSINOE is funded under the Green Deal EC Calls (2021)…

Read more about ARSINOE
Health
Safe innovation and the water sector
Evaluation of Legionella regulations in systems for drinking water and warm tap water

The aim of this project is to determine whether current scientific understanding justifies amendments to the regulations on Legionella prevention in mains water systems and, if so, how…

Read more about Evaluation of Legionella regulations in systems for drinking water and warm tap water
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
IMPETUS

With persisting impacts of climate change on people's health and livelihoods and the environment, the need to build resilience, adaptive capacity and sustainable and environmentally-friendly economic measures become more urgent. IMPETUS, a four-year European Commission-funded project coordinated…

Read more about IMPETUS
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
NEXOGENESIS

The water, energy, food and ecosystem (WEFE) nexus is a complex interrelationship governed by climatic and socio-economic drivers. We need holistic cross-sector considerations and policies to achieve resource use efficiency, leverage synergies and promote cross-sectoral cooperation. NEXOGENESIS,…

Read more about NEXOGENESIS
Health
Safe innovation and the water sector
Energy transition and Drinking Water phase 2

The energy transition will impact the operational management of drinking water utilities in multiple ways. In the second phase of the research project on the energy transition and drinking water, KWR is…

Read more about Energy transition and Drinking Water phase 2
Sustainability
Sustainable energy
LIFE NEW HYTS: reNEWable green Hydrogen for TranSport

The LIFE NEW HYTS project will demonstrate the opportunities and feasibility for local production, distribution, and application of green hydrogen in road transport. It aims to create the…

Read more about LIFE NEW HYTS: reNEWable green Hydrogen for TranSport
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Water availability and drought over long term

The availability of sufficient freshwater, for all users and functions, is also an increasingly big challenge in the Netherlands and Flanders. A solution is being sought in self-provision at the regional and…

Read more about Water availability and drought over long term
Sustainability
Sustainable energy
WarmteStad Groningen: digital twin

WarmteStad Groningen is expanding the heating network in its city. The company is thus addressing the challenge of implementing sustainability in a rapid and cost-effective manner. To achieve this, WarmteStad is combining…

Read more about WarmteStad Groningen: digital twin
Society
Citizen science and public participation
The customer as ‘follow-up treatment actor’

Drinking water customers seem increasingly open to the idea of home filtration and rainwater applications in their own households. This project sheds light on the number and the kinds of customers concerned,…

Read more about The customer as ‘follow-up treatment actor’
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Belissima – modelling removal of OMPs in wastewater

The presence of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in wastewater has a big impact on the aquatic environment. Given that most of these substances end up in the water cycle…

Read more about Belissima – modelling removal of OMPs in wastewater
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Aqua ludens

The development of a serious game should provide all stakeholders in the water cycle with a clear understanding of the significance of water, of how the freshwater provision works, and of the impact of choices on water…

Read more about Aqua ludens
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Closing the water cycle

To close the water cycle, steps need to be taken to treat effluent for organic micropollutants. Today’s WWTPs have not been specifically designed to remove such substances – which can encompass a wide range – from the…

Read more about Closing the water cycle
Health
Safe innovation and the water sector
Polishing pellets

The production of drinking water results in sludge with a high level of iron oxide/iron hydroxide. That sludge can be used as an adsorbent for, among other things, phosphate and arsenic. The drawback is that the sludge…

Read more about Polishing pellets
Looking ahead
Futures studies and response strategies
The integration of collective heating systems in society

The Climate Agreement (2019) included plans for making the built environment more sustainable. The roll-out of heat networks is an important strategy here. It is a major challenge…

Read more about The integration of collective heating systems in society
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Assuring WWTP effluent for greenhouse horticultural sector

The provision of irrigation water for the greenhouse horticultural sector is under increasing pressure, in part as a consequence of climate change. Alternatives are therefore being sought. Moreover,…

Read more about Assuring WWTP effluent for greenhouse horticultural sector
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Drought monitoring: youngsters join in

An exceptional citizen science study will be conducted this summer, with participants building their own sensors and measuring drought in their gardens. The measurements will be used to give advice about watering.…

Read more about Drought monitoring: youngsters join in
Sustainability
Sustainable energy
COHEASY: flexibility to balance energy production and consumption

A mismatch between energy production and consumption can lead to a surplus of renewable energy on the electricity grid (congestion) at one moment and an increase in the…

Read more about COHEASY: flexibility to balance energy production and consumption
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
UNESCO, KWR and the University of Bath assess urban water management in 4 cities in Africa

By applying the City Blueprint approach, they will define the risks and opportunities for improvements in the cities of Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Lusaka (Zambia), Lagos (Nigeria) and Nairobi…

Read more about UNESCO, KWR and the University of Bath assess urban water management in 4 cities in Africa
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Climate adaptation in practice (KLIMAP)

In the four-year KLIMAP project, a consortium of 24 organisations is looking at which measures can contribute, and what joint process will be needed, to adapt Dutch sandy areas to climate change.…

Read more about Climate adaptation in practice (KLIMAP)
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Development of a virus sensor

The greenhouse horticulture sector aims to be practically emission-free by 2027. Water discharges may sometimes be necessary when companies cannot exclude the possibility that the water contains pathogenic viruses. In case of doubt, no risks are taken…

Read more about Development of a virus sensor
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
An integrated approach for the detection of undesirable perfluorinated substances in the water cycle

The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment, and specifically in the water cycle, is considered a hazard for humans and the environment. The presence…

Read more about An integrated approach for the detection of undesirable perfluorinated substances in the water cycle
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Development of a water-quality sensor

Large volumes of water are used all over the world for a variety of processes which generate large waste streams. Before it can be discharged, this water has to be treated to…

Read more about Development of a water-quality sensor
Health
Microbial safety
Quick picture of microbial water quality

Microbial water quality is an important element in determining the safety of water for humans, animals, plants and the environment. Today’s methods only conclude afterwards whether the water quality was poor. This…

Read more about Quick picture of microbial water quality
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Impact of substances of very high concern in the environment

The water sector is being increasingly confronted with substances of very high concern and new emission pathways for those substances. Substances of very high concern are a threat…

Read more about Impact of substances of very high concern in the environment
Society
Stakeholder involvement and governance
Water poverty

Even in a prosperous and water-rich country like the Netherlands, it is reasonable to assume that people may face water poverty. The aim of the project is to explore and investigate this area from different perspectives in…

Read more about Water poverty
Health
Emerging contaminants
Biological treatment processes: optimising biodegradation of OMPs in rapid filters

Organic micropollutants (OMPs) in drinking water sources are frequently in the news. To be able to continue supplying safe and reliable drinking water, the drinking water sector wishes,…

Read more about Biological treatment processes: optimising biodegradation of OMPs in rapid filters
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Flushing-water discharge limitation and directed development in open-loop ATES systems

In 2050, when the Netherlands will no longer be using natural gas, approximately 25 percent of the buildings will have a thermal energy system. Following the installation, and…

Read more about Flushing-water discharge limitation and directed development in open-loop ATES systems
Sustainability
Sustainable resources
Micronutrients in the resource loop

This research is directed at closing the micronutrient resource loop of a number of essential micronutrients in the Dutch food system, within legal, environmental, economic and technological frameworks. The focus is on…

Read more about Micronutrients in the resource loop
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Prediction models for the removal of organic micropollutants

Organic micropollutants (OMPs) in drinking water sources are frequently in the news. The numbers of OMPs are typically very low and are not harmful to health, but, as…

Read more about Prediction models for the removal of organic micropollutants
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Application of membrane fractionation for better understanding of biological stability of water

The selection of the water source and the subsequent water treatment processes have different impacts on the biological stability of the water. In the Netherlands and Flanders, the…

Read more about Application of membrane fractionation for better understanding of biological stability of water
Health
Safe innovation and the water sector
Application of electrocoagulation to water with low conductivity

The wastewater and drinking water sector in the Netherlands and Europe is committed to reducing its CO2 footprint. This also includes a desire to reduce the use of…

Read more about Application of electrocoagulation to water with low conductivity
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Prediction of freshwater supplies in the Netherlands

In this project we intend to use hydroinformatics methods – notably machine learning and deep learning – to predict available freshwater supplies, particularly during periods of serious drought.…

Read more about Prediction of freshwater supplies in the Netherlands
Society
Stakeholder involvement and governance
Multiple Value Creation Implementation

In this project we are developing and implementing an overall framework, an assessment framework and a process methodology to define and assess multiple values, for the purpose of sustainable investment in the…

Read more about Multiple Value Creation Implementation
Health
Microbial safety
AMVD measurements

This project investigates the difficulties and solutions involved in the quantitative measurement of microbiological risks. In practice, the analyses required for pathogens in drinking water sources involve large sample volumes (max. 1,000 litres) that are concentrated to…

Read more about AMVD measurements
Health
Biological activity
Effect of manganese on biofilm formation

The aim of this project is to determine how low manganese concentrations in drinking water affect the formation of biofilm in the distribution system. Biofilm in drinking water with and without manganese…

Read more about Effect of manganese on biofilm formation
Health
Microbial safety
Microbiological degradation of contaminants in reverse osmosis concentrate

In this project, we are investigating the possibility of the microbiological conversion of specific problem substances that are found in reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate during drinking water production.…

Read more about Microbiological degradation of contaminants in reverse osmosis concentrate
Health
Microbial safety
Alternatives to post-disinfection with chlorine dioxide

In this project, we are investigating alternatives to post-disinfection with chlorine dioxide. The aim is to acquire an understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of the available alternative…

Read more about Alternatives to post-disinfection with chlorine dioxide
Health
Biological activity
Survival and growth of water lice in (2018-2020 follow-up)

This research investigated whether water lice can survive and grow on biofilms. This information makes it possible to establish preventive measures to control the spread of water lice.…

Read more about Survival and growth of water lice in (2018-2020 follow-up)

All projects ()

Publications

All publications

News

News

Mirjam Blokker associate professor of water management at Delft University of Technology

19 September 2023 — Early this year, principal scientist Mirjam Blokker took up a part-time position (for one day a week) as…

Read more about Mirjam Blokker associate professor of water management at Delft University of Technology
Blog

Impression of the Smart Energy Systems Conference

18 September 2023 — The annual Smart Energy Systems Conference (SES) in Denmark took place this year in Copenhagen with 350 participants…

Read more about Impression of the Smart Energy Systems Conference
News

Using QSPR models to predict the removal of micropollutants

13 September 2023 — Thanks to new models, water companies can now find out more quickly and efficiently which treatment methods can…

Read more about Using QSPR models to predict the removal of micropollutants
Blog

12th IUVA World Congress in Dubai

13 September 2023 — Sunday September 10th 2023 the 12th IUVA World Congress started in Dubai. This is a congress about all…

Read more about 12th IUVA World Congress in Dubai
News

EU guideline for protection drinking water production

11 September 2023 — Guidance for manufacturers should ensure that new plant protection products and biocidal products will not threaten drinking water…

Read more about EU guideline for protection drinking water production
News

Test ponds in KWR garden come to life

06 September 2023 — The plants in the test ponds (“mesocosms”) in the KWR garden flourished in the first year. This gives…

Read more about Test ponds in KWR garden come to life
News

Eight key actions in EU Soil Monitoring Act require inclusion of groundwater protection

02 August 2023 — KWR identified eight key actions in the European Soil Strategy that urge the inclusion of groundwater protection. This…

Read more about Eight key actions in EU Soil Monitoring Act require inclusion of groundwater protection
News

Time is running out – WFD fact sheets for four important substance groups

21 July 2023 — KWR and Vewin are collaborating on fact sheets about urgent substance groups for drinking water sources. The deadline…

Read more about Time is running out – WFD fact sheets for four important substance groups
News

Growth Fund approves funding for Holomicrobiome project

17 July 2023 — Approval of funding from National Growth Fund to make the Netherlands a pioneer in microbiome applications, including healthier…

Read more about Growth Fund approves funding for Holomicrobiome project
Blog

Harnessing the Power of Open Source for a Better Future through FIWARE community

12 July 2023 — In today's digital age, the availability of information is critical for progress and innovation. Two key pillars that…

Read more about Harnessing the Power of Open Source for a Better Future through FIWARE community
News

Bioassays as a useful tool in the circular economy

10 July 2023 — Bioassays for water quality monitoring useful for decisions about alternative sources and water reuse applications.

Read more about Bioassays as a useful tool in the circular economy
Blog

WiCE Inspiration Session: working together on water, circularity and sustainability

06 July 2023 — The WiCE inspiration session brings together people involved in water, circularity and sustainability. Water in the Circular Economy…

Read more about WiCE Inspiration Session: working together on water, circularity and sustainability
News

WiCE: research programme, knowledge broker and bridge to practice

05 July 2023 — Henk-Jan van Alphen takes us from a shower at a campsite through the process of thinking about, and…

Read more about WiCE: research programme, knowledge broker and bridge to practice
News

Academic Collaborative Centre for Healthy and Safe Water

03 July 2023 — Academic Collaborative Centre for Healthy and Safe Water allows KWR and Utrecht University (IRAS) to focus on remedying…

Read more about Academic Collaborative Centre for Healthy and Safe Water
Blog

The new urban drinking and wastewater chain: small, concentrated and sustainable

30 June 2023 — The drinking water and wastewater chains must be more sustainable in order to guarantee the availability of adequate…

Read more about The new urban drinking and wastewater chain: small, concentrated and sustainable
News

ANCHOR scrutinises urban water reuse

26 June 2023 — New EU project ANCHOR examines urban water reuse from technical, societal, governance and economic perspectives.

Read more about ANCHOR scrutinises urban water reuse
Blog

Is 20% water reduction in the industrial sector feasible?

21 June 2023 — Last Thursday, June 8, Frank Oesterholt and I (Gilian Schout) attended the National Water Symposium at RHDHV's offices…

Read more about Is 20% water reduction in the industrial sector feasible?
Blog

PARC WP5 & WP6 meet in Berlin

15 June 2023 — The first joint meeting of work packages (WP) 5 and 6 of the PARC project took place in…

Read more about PARC WP5 & WP6 meet in Berlin

All news items ()

Agenda

Wetsus Congress

Het thema is "Environmental resilience to novel entities", en we zijn al druk bezig met de voorbereidingen van…

Amsterdam International Water Week 2023

Amsterdam International Water Week brings together the global water leaders’ community, bridging the gap between today’s challenges and…

The role of sludge in infiltration ponds in OMP removal during dune infiltration

ANCHOR: broad knowledge development about urban water reuse

Biological treatment of RO concentrate

Risk of L. pneumophila with heating networks

VIPNL: Wetland crops on water-rich peat

TUBES as a controlled test environment for low-threshold pilot projects

Lead from brass components – phase III

Insight into connecting pipes

Impact of internal factors on malfunctions

Quantitative added value of digital water meters and other sensors at customer locations

Improving the reliability and practicality of an AI-based tool for data validation and correction

Reduction of pressure on groundwater through reuse of water from dairy plants in agriculture

Digital water – building a conceptual cost-benefit framework based on the experiences of frontrunners

Evaluation of Aeromonas legal standard

Biomonitoring of atmospheric nitrogen deposition with mosses

Automatic water-quality control for good recirculation water in greenhouse horticulture

Biological stability parameters in operational practice

Fast alternative for the heterotrophic plate count at 22°C (HPC22) following interventions in the drinking water distribution system

PUSH-IT: demonstration and development of seasonal underground heat storage systems

Solar panels on water reservoirs

Power-to-X Province of Utrecht

Water Quality Knowledge Impulse

PARC: European partnership for the assessment of risks from chemicals

Chances for Concentrate

Implementation of screening and NTS methods in practice

Environmental forensics: pollution signatures

Big data – analysis and integration of chemical and toxicological data

Effect-based monitoring of water quality in the circular economy

Drugs production waste in groundwater: field research and action perspectives

Toxicology on Target

Microplastics in water treatment

Text mining for the early detection of relevant water pollutants

Are PMOCs less toxic?

Nanoplastics in drinking water

Water-soluble polymers – Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020

VO Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020 (LDIR and biofilm)

Clearer picture of the formation of transformation products during drinking water treatment thanks to integrated strategies

Improved prioritisation and fragmentation improve the identification of unknown substances with non-target screening

Contribution to Toxicology Knowledge Impulse

Survey of drug waste emission pathways and relevance for the drinking water sector

Integration of non-target screening, statistical analyses and bioassays for the global assessment of chemical water quality

Highly polar compounds I

New chemical analysis methods

Trigger value data gaps I and II

Exploration of sources, behaviour and risk of new substances

Digital twins for the water sector

Effects of interventions in the distribution network on the existing microorganisms: DNA techniques offer clarity

QSAR and read-across models for water quality

Risk of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water

Digital twin for treatment process

Exploratory Research: Water Quality Footprint

Passive sampling of microbiological parameters

Improved water quality through advanced oxidation and dune infiltration

VHP4Safety: Towards chemical safety assessment based on human data

Reducing drinking-water consumption by business

GRROW – Generational and Radical Rethinking of the Water Sector

Digital Twin for the development of data and model to support ASR management systems

Power-to-Protein: efficient input of hydrogen (phase 3)

Connecting the water cycle and the water system for a better balance of water demand and supply

Predicting the biodegradation of organic micropollutants

Water-Futures

Q&A, Aquathermal and Thermal Energy from Drinking water (TED)

ARSINOE

Evaluation of Legionella regulations in systems for drinking water and warm tap water

IMPETUS

NEXOGENESIS

Energy transition and Drinking Water phase 2

LIFE NEW HYTS: reNEWable green Hydrogen for TranSport

Water availability and drought over long term

WarmteStad Groningen: digital twin

The customer as ‘follow-up treatment actor’

Belissima – modelling removal of OMPs in wastewater

Aqua ludens

Closing the water cycle

Polishing pellets

The integration of collective heating systems in society

Assuring WWTP effluent for greenhouse horticultural sector

Drought monitoring: youngsters join in

COHEASY: flexibility to balance energy production and consumption

UNESCO, KWR and the University of Bath assess urban water management in 4 cities in Africa