Waterwijs – Exploratory Research

It focuses on optimising existing water supplies and infrastructure while also providing insights that contribute to innovations in the water supply system in the light of social transitions such as the circular economy and the water, energy and agriculture transitions.

Research from source to tap

Exploratory research can cover all the research topics in the Waterwijs programme: from source to tap, including topics relating to interaction and collaboration with stakeholders such as Environment and Transitions and Water in the Circular Economy (WiCE). It engages in projects looking at all these topics. In addition to monitoring developments and suggesting possible new research themes, the aim of exploratory research is to work on new integrated solutions covering multiple themes. That involves drawing on the range of expertise at KWR.

Strategic Objectives

Exploratory Research supports the impact-driven approach of the Waterwijs programme, with a focus on futures studies. Two long-term outcomes have been defined:

• Water utilities’ long-term plans are informed by current knowledge about developments, methods and signals about the future.
• The Waterwijs research agenda is forward-looking and it provides water utilities with relevant innovations and knowledge.

Exploratory Research uses horizon scanning and future studies, with trend and in-depth explorations contributing to these outcomes. These activities are valuable for water utilities, the Waterwijs programme and KWR. In addition to delivering futures studies for the water utilities themselves, this research also provides input for the long-term programming of both the Waterwijs and WiCE programmes to maintain their forward-looking focus.

Components of exploratory research

To anticipate developments in good time, the exploratory research programme includes two interrelated components:

Trend Studies

In trend studies, KWR monitors trends and developments, and analyses their significance and potential impact for the water sector. The first step is horizon scanning: monitoring new trends and developments. If the results of this process indicate that a particular issue or innovation requires examination, further research follows. The researchers summarise the result in the form of a clear trend alert. These trend alerts can relate to a wide range of topics that affect the water sector on the lines of the themes of the Waterwijs programme or in an integrated form (that is relevant for all themes).

In-depth exploratory studies

With in-depth exploratory studies, KWR ensures that the research programme continues to innovate by identifying, testing and further developing new methods, concepts and lines of research. One example is the Customer Perspectives 2.0 project, which explores how insights into customer needs and expectations can contribute to a sustainable and resilient water sector. This project builds on previous exploratory studies and applies the insights in a broader context.

Exploratory research on Waterwijs-Net

All information about exploratory research is available from the online environment Waterwijs-Net. With news, information about ongoing studies, a calendar with meetings and events, meeting documents, and recently released trend alerts and reports.
You can sign up for Waterwijs-Net by sending an email to waterwijs@kwrwater.nl. You will receive a confirmation within one working day and you can access the environment with Microsoft Authenticator from then on.