Safe Water for a Healthy Society - Page 2 of 2

Safe water is a fundamental requirement for a healthy society. It underpins drinking water supply, public health, nature, recreation and an attractive living environment. However, water quality is under pressure from chemical substances such as PFAS, pharmaceutical residues and pesticides, from microbiological risks, and from developments including climate change, more intensive land use and water reuse.

KWR develops knowledge and innovations for safe and healthy water, from monitoring and risk assessment to source protection, treatment and water reuse. We also investigate how governance, behaviour and collaboration can contribute to healthy water systems. Through transformative and design-oriented research, KWR supports societal partners in the transition towards a healthy, resilient and sustainable society.

KWR’s ambition is for everyone to have access to safe water and to benefit from a healthy water environment.

Impact: protected water sources, resilient and healthy water systems

The impact theme Safe Water for a Healthy Society contributes to addressing challenges related to water quality, health, climate change and sustainable water use. KWR develops and shares knowledge that helps water utilities, public authorities and other societal partners to identify risks at an early stage and to make the most of opportunities for health and the living environment. We develop new methods, technologies and courses of action, and support their application in practice. This provides clients with concrete insights, evidence-based choices and effective solutions for protecting water sources and creating healthy and resilient water systems.

Our partners

KWR works together with drinking water companies, public authorities, civil society organisations and other knowledge partners. Together, we develop, test and implement knowledge, tools and innovations for safe and healthy water. By combining scientific knowledge with practical knowledge and experience, we work on solutions that can be applied in policy and practice and that contribute to healthy and resilient water systems.

What we do

Water quality and health risks

KWR develops knowledge and tools to identify, assess and manage chemical and microbiological risks in water systems. Our work focuses on emerging substances, pathogens and new water quality challenges, helping to protect people, nature and the living environment from current and future threats.

Water as a foundation for health and the living environment

We investigate how water can contribute to health, well-being, biodiversity and an attractive living environment. The positive value of water is central to this work, from safe drinking water supply to healthy water systems and water-conscious planning and design in cities and regions.

Water governance and societal action

We develop knowledge on governance, policy, participation and behavioural change to enable the water transition. In doing so, we support public authorities, water utilities and societal partners in decision-making, collaboration and the development of practical courses of action for sustainable and healthy water use.

Transitions towards future-proof water systems

Through transformative and design-oriented research, we work with stakeholders to develop future visions, strategies and transition pathways. In this way, we support the systemic changes needed to make water systems healthy, resilient and future-proof in a changing society.

Expertise and knowledge domains

KWR has expertise spanning the entire water cycle, from chemistry and microbiology to water technology, ecology, hydrology, hydroinformatics, governance and behavioural science. This combination of knowledge domains enables us to address complex challenges in an integrated way.

As an independent knowledge partner, we connect fundamental and applied research with the practice of water utilities, public authorities and civil society organisations.

Co-creation is how we work. Together with clients and partners, we develop, test and implement knowledge, tools and innovations that are scientifically robust and applicable in policy and practice.

Want to know more? Contact our experts