Industrial water and municipal wastewater

Water Line: New concepts for wastewater treatment and water reuse 

The Water Line focuses on achieving fit-for-purpose water quality through innovative and integrated treatment solutions across the entire treatment train, from primary and secondary treatment to advanced tertiary, quaternary, and quinary processes. KWR develops, evaluates and optimises technologies for the removal of organic matter, nutrients, micropollutants, PFAS, heavy metals, pathogens and other substances of emerging concern. 

Our experts work on the development of next-generation treatment concepts, including biological treatment processes, advanced membrane systems, electrochemical applications, and nature-based solutions. We investigate how these technologies can be combined and optimised to improve treatment performance, support water reuse, and contribute to circular water systems. 

Through laboratory research, pilot studies, process modelling, technology assessment, and sustainability evaluations, we help utilities and industries develop robust, cost-effective, and future-proof treatment solutions. Our work supports compliance with increasingly stringent discharge and reuse requirements while enhancing water security, environmental protection, and climate resilience. 

Sludge Line: Unlocking value from sludge 

The Sludge Line focuses on the valorisation of sludge and residual streams, with strong expertise in anaerobic digestion and circular resource recovery. KWR develops solutions to maximise the recovery of biogas, nutrients, energy, and valuable materials while optimising sludge treatment and resource recovery value chains. 

Our capabilities include anaerobic digestion optimisation, nutrient recovery, residual stream treatment, and the evaluation of integrated sludge management strategies. We also explore the production of valuable products such as biochar, biocrude, activated carbon, hydrochar, EPS biopolymers, PHA, biosolids, ash, and recovered nutrients through technologies including anaerobic digestion, Kaumera extraction, pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC), and incineration. 

To support implementation, KWR developed the Resource Maturity Index, a tool that helps utilities and industries assess opportunities, prioritise investments, and accelerate the transition towards circular and resource-efficient wastewater systems. 

Fugitive Emissions Line: From GHG Monitoring to Climate-Neutral Plants 

The Emissions Line focuses on understanding, monitoring, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from water and wastewater systems, supporting the transition towards climate-neutral and climate-resilient utilities. KWR has expertise in nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (CO₂), combining advanced monitoring, process modelling, and data-driven optimisation to identify emission hotspots and develop effective mitigation strategies. 

Our capabilities span full-scale gas and liquid phase monitoring, emissions modelling, greenhouse gas inventories, mitigation assessments, and the integration of low-carbon solutions into treatment processes and infrastructure planning. Through national and international programmes, we support utilities in improving emissions reporting, reducing their carbon footprint, and meeting climate and sustainability targets. 

Through its leadership role in the Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Working Group of the Global Water Research Coalition (GWRC), close collaboration with utilities, policymakers, and technology providers, and the convening of international knowledge-exchange platforms, KWR helps translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions that accelerate the transition towards future-proof, low-carbon, and climate-neutral water infrastructure. 

Industry Collaboration, Knowledge Exchange and Water Efficiency 

Through the Industry Water Network Group, KWR provides a trusted platform where industries, technology providers and researchers can connect, exchange knowledge, share best practices, and collaborate on common water challenges. By bringing together diverse expertise and experiences, the network accelerates innovation, supports informed decision-making, and helps translate research into practical solutions. 

Complementing this knowledge exchange, KWR provides research-based support on process water production, cooling water systems, wastewater reuse, and water efficiency. Through water audits and targeted assessments, we help industries reduce freshwater consumption, minimise wastewater discharge, improve operational resilience, and advance circular and sustainable water management. 

Digital solutions for Smart Water Management 

KWR develops and applies digital solutions to address complex water and wastewater challenges. By combining data analytics, process modelling, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and decision-support tools, we help utilities and industries improve treatment performance, resource efficiency, operational resilience, and sustainability.