{"id":81864,"date":"2025-09-16T16:07:48","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T14:07:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kwrwater.nl\/actueel\/nieuwe-rekenmethode-toont-milieuwinst-van-aanvullende-zuivering-aan\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T16:44:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T14:44:33","slug":"nieuwe-rekenmethode-toont-milieuwinst-van-aanvullende-zuivering-aan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kwrwater.nl\/en\/actueel\/nieuwe-rekenmethode-toont-milieuwinst-van-aanvullende-zuivering-aan\/","title":{"rendered":"New calculation method demonstrates environmental benefits of additional treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is the environmental impact of wastewater treatment? Conventional LCA (life cycle assessment) methods mainly assess energy and use of chemicals, but do not consider improved water quality. Using conventional methods, it appears as if every additional treatment step automatically leads to a higher environmental impact. But this picture is distorted. KWR has developed a new calculation method for environmental assessment, including water quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In collaboration with the Aa en Maas Water Authority and Haskoning, the new LCA method was applied in an exploratory study on large-scale reuse of treated wastewater (effluent). With an additional treatment step, effluent reuse is a possible solution to drought in the Land van Cuijk area (in North-East Brabant, south of Nijmegen). The water authority and Haskoning developed a circular water chain concept and concluded that it is technically possible and financially feasible. It benefits a robust water system and improves water quality and biodiversity. But what about the environmental impact of the additional treatment step required?<\/p>\n

Better effluent quality<\/h2>\n

KWR\u2019s new LCA method proved to be very useful. The additional treatment step requires more energy and chemicals, but the improved effluent quality offsets this. By including water quality as an integral part of the environmental assessment, it became clear that, in this situation, advanced treatment can actually yield substantial environmental benefits.<\/p>\n

Informed decision-making<\/h2>\n

The results of the exploratory study on effluent reuse in the Land van Cuijk area inspire a future-proof water system. KWR\u2019s new method provides a clear assessment of environmental aspects, thereby contributing to informed decision-making about these circular solutions.<\/p>\n

The results of the study were published in the journal magazin:<\/p>\n