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Hydroinformatics

Projects

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…

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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.…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Deep Explorations: a explorative study for deep learning applications in the water sector

This project concerns an explorative study to assess the value of deep learning (DL) for KWR and the water sector in general. The different types of deep learning,…

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Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Digital Twin II

In this project a so-called ‘digital twin’ of a drinking water distribution network of a Dutch city is being made, with the aim of determining the impact of corona measures – lockdown and increased working-from-home – and…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Picturing the pipe network

With the development of inspection robots and new kinds of sensors, and thanks to a growing wealth of data, light can be shed on the underground drinking water distribution network; something that has long been impossible. This…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Strategic decision-making for IAM: what can serious games contribute?

Drinking water companies can use serious games or other decision-support tools to help with strategic decision-making about issues relating to integrated asset management. This project will result in…

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Looking ahead
Futures studies and response strategies
DMA Fingerprinting – Fase II

The objective of this project is to investigate how the use of transients measurement (pressure waves) with spectral analysis in an exploratory study of closed-valve detection can be scaled up to detect…

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Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Agent-based models for water demand – an exploration

The design of a future-proof drinking water distribution network requires a vision of the evolution of the demand for drinking water. There is a need for a method…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Smart Water Networks – 2

This project within the Joint Research Programme of KWR and the water utilities concerns the question of how a smart network – a combination of a variety of sensors with the right algorithms – can in practice…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Hydroinformatics Platform coordination and knowledge sharing

Over the last two years, the Hydroinformatics Platform has developed into a highly valued means of knowledge sharing. Moreover, theme-transcending research concerning data validation has been conducted through…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Fiware4Water

Fiware4Water is a three-year European research and innovation project, coordinated by the French Office International de l’Eau, links the water sector to the smart solution platform ‘FIWARE’ via demonstration projects in the water cycle. FIWARE makes it…

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Society
Valorisation
Circular Water System Co-Creation in Brainport Smart District

Brainport Smart District (BSD) is an especially innovative district with about 1,500 homes and a business park of more than 12 hectares to be situated in Brandevoort, in…

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Society
Citizen science and public participation
Behavioural sciences and data

Citizens are increasingly asked to adapt their behaviour. Drinking water utilities also make such requests. During drought periods for instance we see customers asked to be economical with their water during peak hours. We also know that…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Digital twin demonstrator

This project will create a so-called ‘digital twin’ of a Dutch city’s drinking water distribution system, and use it to demonstrate the added value of digital twins in the case of anomaly detection. A digital twin is…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Smart Water Networks

Hydroinformatics and smart water are becoming increasingly important in the water sector. Reliance on this technology is rapidly increasing and being integrated in all domains of the water sector in which data are collected and processed. Due…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Exploratory research into data mining

The promises of data mining techniques have long been very inviting – and for the water utilities as well. In this research we will lay out the most important techniques and produce…

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Health
Microbial safety
Validation slow sand filtration at De Punt

Slow sand filtration is a treatment process that contributes importantly to drinking water safety. In water practice, however, the concentrations of microorganisms are so low that one cannot demonstrate the level of…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Application future failure frequency prediction method

The prediction of failure frequencies is important in determining pipe replacement volumes and replacement prioritisation. The predictions are used to prioritise pipe replacements, and are a factor in…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Hydroinformatics Platform Pilot Data Validation

Water utilities find themselves in a transition with regard to their decision-making process. The inputs in decision-making models are shifting from experience and expertise to data and information. This requires data of…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Resilience of distribution systems under crisis scenarios

This exploratory research project is producing an inventory of the possible physical and cyber threats (crisis scenarios) that present a potential danger to the proper functioning of drinking…

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Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Peak consumption causes

Water companies need a water consumption model to help them size their production locations. In this project KWR will extend the day factor model (Vonk et al., 2017) with area-specific information, including garden acreage, and number of…

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Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Data from smart water meters used to predict hotspots in distribution network

To ensure fresh and healthy drinking water in a future of climate change and urbanisation, it’s important to know where drinking water ‘hotspots’ occur in the network, and…

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Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Ferramentum: tool for insights into rapid filtration

Previous tailored and thematic research work focused on iron and manganese removal from groundwater and led to the development of a first version of a software application (IJzersterke…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
PVC degradation model in Comsima

In the Netherlands PVC is the pipe material that is most used: more than half of the drinking water distribution network is made of PVC pipes. Being able to assess and predict the condition of the pipes…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Real-time sensor measurements for a better water-quality policy

The current, hydraulic models are infrequently applied to water-quality issues in the distribution network; moreover, they are poorly, or only to a limited degree, equipped for this task.…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Optimal design of robust and future-proof target structures

The design of target structures is a topical subject in the water sector. Drinking water companies are busy with the (proactive) replacement of their mains networks. At the…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Discolouration prediction tool for optimal cleaning policy

The quality of drinking water in the Netherlands is excellent. Nonetheless, this quality can deteriorate between the water production site and the client. One of the key water-quality…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Wat-Qual

Safe drinking water is paramount for the health and wellbeing of all populations. Unsafe drinking water can contain pathogenic microorganisms and/or chemicals that can make people immediately unwell or can potentially cause serious illness over prolonged exposures.…

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Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Heat transfer to drinking water mains

The warming of the soil around a drinking water main can make the temperature of the water in the main rise above 25 °C, which means that the water no longer satisfies…

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Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
STOP-IT

Water infrastructures are essential for society, human welfare and health, but they can be endangered by physical threats and cyberattacks. These can have severe societal consequences. Examples can be seen almost daily in the news. To address…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
DiAMANT-Water: Data of the Future

The integrity of the water infrastructure is hard to determine using a directly measurable parameter, such as the condition of the underground mains network for instance. In the event of a change or deterioration in the condition…

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Health
Emerging contaminants
Big Data Epidemiology

The scientific literature reports on – sometimes contradictory – research results on the relationship between the quality of drinking water and public health. For example, the relationship between water hardness and the incidence of cardio-vascular disease, between…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Data mining for asset management – survey and water sector examples

Data mining (the search for statistical connections in databases) is one step in ‘Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD)’. Both have already been embraced by the marketing, medical care,…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Perspective and preconditions for the development and use of autonomous inspection robots in water mains

Asset management of distribution networks is currently based on generic knowledge and models of mains groups, supplemented by inspection data on a limited number of mains. Effective asset…

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Health
Microbial safety
QMRA of the distribution network

Drinking water companies use quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to demonstrate that the drinking water they produce is safe. A desire also exists to apply the same method to demonstrate the safety of water in the distribution…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
From mains data to mains knowledge

Decision-making about which mains to replace, and when, is one of the most important issues for asset management regarding the distribution network. With decision-support software, water companies can select which mains to…

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Sustainability
Sustainable energy
Efficient hot water heating

As homes become better insulated, energy consumption for spatial heating is decreasing. It is therefore increasingly important to have a clear picture of another reason for household energy consumption: hot water heating. In this project we determined…

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Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Rapid Filtration Engineering Assistant

The application of rapid sand filtration combined with front-end aeration forms a robust barrier in the removal of ammonium, iron and/or manganese from (ground)water. Rapid filtration systems are applied at a large…

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Health
Emerging contaminants
Data mining in suspect screening data; searching for relevant new chemicals in different water types

Data from suspect screening analyses collected over the past few years contain a treasure of information. The data originate from samples of drinking water, groundwater, surface water and…

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Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Future water use and peak factors under climate change

According the prognoses of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), weather extremes, such as heat and drought, will become more frequent and long-lasting. Peaks in water consumption will…

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Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Incorporation of soil nutrients and acidity into PROBE

The vegetation composition in freshwater natural ecosystems can be explained on the basis of the soil moisture, nutrient fertility and acidity. A reliable assessment of how the vegetation…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Robustness of the drinking water infrastructure

Drinking water consumption and the functionality of the drinking water infrastructure are subject to the influence of external developments, such as new sanitation concepts or decreased population levels. These factors can influence…

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Health
Biological activity
Modelling regrowth in the distribution network

Regrowth in the distribution network is a complex phenomenon. Measures to manage regrowth in the distribution network have hitherto been based on a trial-and-error approach. We need a model-based description of the…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Strategies for the optimal placement of water quality sensors in the distribution network

Monitoring water quality with sensors placed at strategic points in the distribution network provides an online picture of water quality during its distribution and in the vicinity of…

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Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
PROBE 3: an innovative model for vegetation development, groundwater recharge and nitrate leaching in a changing climate

Climate change can be expected to have big consequences for groundwater-independent vegetations, precisely because they rely entirely on the atmosphere for their water. Over the past few years,…

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Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Physical vulnerability of mains to climate change

Climate change can lead to a higher probability of failure in drinking water mains. Analysis of failure data in USTORE, covering the last five years, shows that the number of pipe fractures…

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Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Future temperature in the distribution network under the impact of urbanisation and climate change

Water temperature at the pumping station has limited impact on the temperature at the tap, but groundwater temperature does have a strong impact. If ground temperatures increase because…

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Health
Emerging contaminants
From big water data to smart water grids

Due to far-reaching computerisation, smart metering, the use of (online) sensor systems in drinking water production companies and distribution networks, and automation, the quantity of ‘water’ data will grow inexorably into the…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
INTEREST – Investment in, and returns from, sensor networks

The current monitoring of our drinking water quality is done on the pure water as it leaves the production location and as it flows from the customer’s tap.…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Design guidelines for sewer systems for domestic wastewater

In the urban context there are two key water discharge streams: the dry-weather stream and the stormwater stream. The volume flows of domestic wastewater are essentially a function…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
On-site sensoring & monitoring

Determining nutrient concentrations with electronic finger prints and an algorithm based on an artificial neural network. Technology Within TKI Water Technology’s Smart Water Systems theme, a method has been developed which processes…

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Sustainability
Sustainable energy
Energy-efficient and sustainable Tergooi hospital

Tergooi is developing a new hospital as part of the redevelopment of the Monnikenberg country estate to the east of Hilversum. The hospital is part of the supraregional health-care park that is…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Path and prerequisites for implementation of backtracing and source identification in hydraulic packages

In the event of a drinking water contamination incident, the tracing of the contamination source is crucial in limiting the negative impact on customer satisfaction and health. Hydraulic…

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Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Prediction model condition-determination of cementitious mains – Data mining phase 2

To further structure its existing mains replacement policy, Brabant Water wants to gain more insight into factors that play a role in the leaching of cementitious mains. It…

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Experts

Joep van den Broeke
Senior scientific researcher Project manager
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Joep van den Broeke

Senior scientific researcher Project manager

Joep van den Broeke is a senior researcher and project manager in the Innovation and Valorisation team. Drawing on his background in technology development, implementation and commercialisation, he contributes to...

030-6069658

06-11729993

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Tessa Pronk
Scientific researcher
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Tessa Pronk

Scientific researcher

Tessa Pronk is a scientific researcher in the Chemical Water Quality and Health team. She has a broad interest in complex systems and, over the last few years, has worked...

030-6069681

06-29337806

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Prof. Dragan Savic FREng
Chief Executive Officer
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Prof. Dragan Savic FREng

Chief Executive Officer

Professor Dragan Savic FREng is the CEO of KWR Water Research Institute, the Dutch drinking water companies’ collective research organisation. He obtained his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University...

030 6069534

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Bram Hillebrand MSc
Scientific researcher Project manager
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Bram Hillebrand MSc

Scientific researcher Project manager

Bram Hillebrand is a scientific researcher in the Water Infrastructure team. After earning a Master’s in geophysics, he worked for four years on a PhD at Utrecht University in the...

030-6069590

06-53248293

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Andreas Moerman MSc
Scientific researcher Project manager
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Andreas Moerman MSc

Scientific researcher Project manager

Andreas Moerman a project manager and researcher in the Energy and Circular Systems team. Within the heat transition effort, Andreas works on developments in the areas of Aquathermal Energy/TED (Thermal...

030-6069605

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Peter van Thienen PhD
Senior scientific researcher
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Peter van Thienen PhD

Senior scientific researcher

Peter van Thienen is a senior researcher. Based on his background as a quantitative natural scientist, Peter works with a number of colleagues on the drinking water distribution network, from...

030-6069602

06-54293706

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Ina Vertommen MSc
Manager Scientific researcher
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Ina Vertommen MSc

Manager Scientific researcher

Ina Vertommen is the team leader of Hydroinformatics at KWR. In this role, she is responsible for the content and profile of the team. The team’s goal is to strengthen...

030-6069739

06-11599514

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Mirjam Blokker PhD
Principal scientist
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Mirjam Blokker PhD

Principal scientist

Mirjam Blokker is a Principal Scientist on the Drinking Water Infrastructure team. She is an expert in drinking water demand and developed the SIMDEUM model, which can be used to...

030-6069533

06-15861099

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News

News

Digital tools help water utilities address knowledge loss

23 September 2021 — What happens if several experienced colleagues leave the organisation? How can you prevent this from creating problems resulting…

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Blog

Striving for the best, preparing for the worst

24 June 2021 — The digitalization of water infrastructure of well underway and promises to bring both the water sector and its…

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News

Interest in smart water networks on the increase

01 June 2021 — Establishing smart water networks requires vision, patience and stamina. This is not an easy task, as was shown…

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News

“Recognising water for its value”

16 April 2021 — Health, sustainability and collaboration are the building stones of KWR’s strategy to contribute to a climate-robust water system…

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News

Digital transformation bears fruit for the water sector

29 March 2021 — The digital transformation taking place in many areas of our lives is now also bearing fruit for the…

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Blog

Linking Water Security to Nature – a technological perspective

22 March 2021 — On the occasion of Global Water Day, the IAHR Global Water Security Working Group organized a webinar on…

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Article

Facing future challenges with digital tools

31 December 2020 — In 2020 hydroinformatics acquired the formal status of a research theme within the Joint Research Programme of KWR…

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Blog

How green is digital water?

06 October 2020 — As the amount of data stored by our global civilization soars, concerns about the energy consumption of the…

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News

Water sector can use hydroinformatics to take uncertainties into account in decision-making

09 July 2020 — The third knowledge exchange meeting of the Hydroinformatics Platform on 25 June focused on uncertainty and uncertainty propagation.…

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Column

All is hydroinformatics?

25 June 2020 — The world is becoming increasingly digitalised, and we are reaping many benefits from this, in terms of convenience…

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News

Robotics in the water industry

19 February 2020 — The first 2020 knowledge-sharing meeting of the Hydroinformatics Platform was organised on 5 February, and dedicated to the…

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News

Combining water research and information technology

31 December 2019 — The combination of water research with information technology generates fruitful solutions that support the water sector in taking…

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News

Distribution experts from Europe and the US look behind each other’s scenes

09 December 2019 — Over the last two years, experts and researchers from Europe and the US have had the opportunity to…

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News

Data-driven processes require good data management

27 November 2019 — Data management is a necessity in the new IT landscape: investing in ‘data literacy’ is vital in moving…

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Blog

Responsible AI for the water sector?

10 October 2019 — Artificial Intelligence has penetrated many aspects of our lives, often without (most of) us realising that this is…

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News

On the path to digital twins: experiences, opportunities and limitations

03 October 2019 — The idea of a digital twin is appealing and we should certainly develop it further, but in doing…

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Blog

KWR at the CCWI conference

03 September 2019 — CCWI (Computing and Control in the Water Industry) has always been an important conference for KWR and in…

Read more about KWR at the CCWI conference
News

Making better predictions of peak water demand

11 July 2019 — The summer of 2018 was an extremely dry one and 2019 is on course to follow suit. A…

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News

Launch of Fiware4Water: digital solutions for water

28 June 2019 — On 10 June 2019, Waternet and KWR, together with twelve European partners, launched the Fiware4Water project. This three-year…

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News

Cranfield University new Watershare member

28 June 2019 — Cranfield University has joined Watershare. With this, Watershare expands its collaboration with a strong knowledge partner in the…

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Blog

Sensors & big data in hydrology

12 June 2019 — During this years’ Spring Symposium in Amersfoort, the Dutch Hydrological Society (NHV) gathered around the question ‘sensors and…

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Blog

Navigating the Smart Water Journey

29 May 2019 — On the 15th and 16th of May the 9th annual Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN) conference took place…

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News

Peter van Thienen new Chief Information Officer at KWR

21 May 2019 — Peter van Thienen is KWR’s new Chief Information Officer (CIO). Van Thienen is currently finalising KWR’s new hydroinformatics…

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News

Forecasting models and scenario development for the drinking water infrastructure

07 May 2019 — Forecasting models and scenario development can help water utilities better manage their current water infrastructure and also better…

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News

Oasen forecasts peaks in water demand with data-driven algorithm from KWR

01 May 2019 — This spring the Oasen water utility began using a new, data-driven algorithm which, on the basis of population…

Read more about Oasen forecasts peaks in water demand with data-driven algorithm from KWR
Blog

Future proof opportunities at the ‘Waterinfodag’

03 April 2019 — At the ‘Waterinfodag’, which took place end of March 2019, I presented a theme session on innovative processing…

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News

Hydroinformatics Platform foresees great value in data visualisation

12 February 2019 — Data visualisation is an important tool in the effective application of data streams for informed decision-making. Data visualisation…

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Column

Cyber-physical security of water systems – a new frontier for interdisciplinary water research

13 December 2018 — Water Companies and other critical infrastructure operators have been adopting ICT technologies (sensors, actuators, real time control systems…

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Our expertises

Hydroinformatics

Tools

HydroMonitor

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Contamination Source Toolkit

Read more about Contamination Source Toolkit
Gondwana

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USTORE

Read more about USTORE
Menyanthes

Read more about Menyanthes
SIMDEUM

Read more about SIMDEUM
Network Flow Performance

Read more about Network Flow Performance
Water-Use Info

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OptiValves

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