Together for Balance II. Water system and water chain connected

Importance and objective

There are increasing calls for the definition of pathways leading to the robust design and use of the water system on the basis of a better understanding of the water system in collaboration with the various stakeholders. In this WiCE project, we therefore propose to shape the transition process in collaboration with water utilities and area partners, and to test, develop and directly share/implement knowledge and tools during that process.

In order to achieve this goal, this project will further develop the approaches developed in the past – ‘Water Systems Thinking’ and ‘Water Systems Modelling’ – for application in practice. These methods, including the ‘Water System Explorer’ app, are designed to explore water-system-related issues, changes or measures in a collaborative process with stakeholders and experts. Together with the organisations involved, we are working towards the implementation of measures to shape the water transition. This work is taking place in a number of regional cases. In each case study, the opportunities and obstacles relating to the enhancement of freshwater availability with measures at the interface of the water system and water chain are being explored in concrete terms.

Deliverables

By building on previously developed knowledge and tools in concrete cases (‘learning by doing’):

• we are strengthening the joint knowledge base relating to the opportunities and obstacles for the integration of the water system and water chain in relation to the water transition;
• we are developing simulation tools, as well as applying and adapting them in collaboration with stakeholders;
• we are supporting the transition process with appropriate working practices;
• we can arrive at a professional approach for applying water system thinking and modelling, including smart visualisations/working practices, so that all stakeholders will be up to date;
• we are moving from ‘how to get administrators on the same page and establishing a shared knowledge base / sense of urgency’ to ‘in which combinations and at which scale are measures genuinely meaningful and how do you proceed from intentions to action’? This step is important to increase WiCE’s impact in the water transition; WiCE has the required potential here.

Publications from previous WiCE project ‘Together for balance in water supply and demand’

• Stofberg et al., 2025. Toepassing van systeemkennis voor de watertransitie, H2O online, https://library.kwrwater.nl/publication/72291133/
• BTO 2024.017. Interventies in het watersysteem. Achtergrondkennis en methoden om de doorwerking van maatregelen in het regionale watersysteem te analyseren. https://library.kwrwater.nl/publication/71685755/
• BTO 2024.015. Stofberg en Van Huijgevoort, 2024. Inzicht in het watersysteem door toepassing van een systeemmodel. https://library.kwrwater.nl/publication/71685248
• KWR 2024.013 De Watersysteemverkenner v0.1. https://library.kwrwater.nl/publication/72231518
• KWR workshop ‘Sustainable Use of Groundwater Resources: Storytelling with National Geographic’, IWA Toronto, 14 augustus 2024. Geïnitieerd en mede-georganiseerd van WiCE Samen voor Balans (samen met National Geographic Society), met ook een bijdrage van PWN. https://www.kwrwater.nl/actueel/storytelling-is-key-in-building-integrative-strategies-for-responsible-groundwater-management/