Balance

‘Between curiosity and implementation, inspiring and listening, the short and long term, and between natural- and social-science knowledge’

– Mariëlle van der Zouwen, CEO

Foreword

Good research does require balance. Between basic curiosity and the implementation of insights, between inspiring to move forward and listening to what is necessary, between focussing on the short and on the long term, and between natural- and social-science knowledge. This is beautifully reflected in the collective research programme for and with the Dutch drinking water utilities, the Flemish De Watergroep and Vewin. From horizon scanning and learning alliances with a variety of water professionals, to chemical analyses and pilots on site: it’s all there. Last year we gave the programme a new Dutch name: ‘Waterwijs’, which in English means (and is pronounced) water-wise. All the data, information and knowledge adds up to dealing with water wisely for people and for nature: a calling and a responsibility embedded in a research programme that is unique in the global water sector.

Our organisation also seeks a balance in our research and client palette. Public-private partnerships have therefore long comprised an important component of the work. In the TKI Water Technology programme, we join the business community, public authorities and research organisations in looking at (economic) resilience through a water lens. The underlying conviction here being that water is of vital importance for a flourishing society. In the UPPWATER – Growth Plan Water Technology initiative, which was launched in 2024, we work with partners in the entire knowledge and innovation chain on the transformation of fundamental ideas in water technology, with a view to safeguarding water demand and supply for present and future generations on a large scale.

In order to remain a leading institute, the need to combine our Dutch and Flemish work with international activities is to us self-evident. In Europe and globally, we work in consortia with parties from whom we learn a great deal and who we also hope to inspire. We for instance concluded the Ultimate international project in which, together with 27 partners in nine demonstration projects, we showed how the recovery and reuse of water, energy and materials offers prospects for business success. As an organisation we can do a great deal on our own, but we can do it so much better when working in international partnerships.  This is also a key reason why we present ourselves as international collaboration partners on international podia, as we did in Toronto at the congress of the International Water Association.

Collaboration also involves the recognition of people who make a difference in the water sector. In 2024, we named Marleen van Rijswick, professor of European and national water law at Utrecht University, KWR Honorary Fellow. Her achievement consists of the accessible manner she speaks of the fundamental right to water, and of the unifying power of legislation and regulations.  

Ultimately what counts is what others do with our work. The recognition we received for our work in scientific and trade publications remains in important indicator of our work’s quality. A highlight was the attribution of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2024 to our colleague Gertjan Medema. He was presented the prize by the President of Singapore for his groundbreaking research in the field of wastewater-based epidemiology for virus detection in wastewater during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, we saw the opening of the new green hydrogen production station by King Willem-Alexander as a culmination of our work in the transition to a CO2-neutral and water-aware future.

I hope you enjoy reading about our activities in 2024. All in all, it was a good year for our organisation. Guided by our core values of ‘reliable’, ‘connecting’ and ‘activating’, we are wholeheartedly at work in 2025. We are renewing our strategy for the period through to 2035, which I look forward to talking to you about. Together, we are continuing to build a well-informed, innovative and transformative water sector.

Mariëlle van der Zouwen, CEO