{"id":83168,"date":"2026-01-22T17:10:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T16:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kwrwater.nl\/actueel\/waterhergebruik-en-waterkringloopsluiting\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T12:24:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T11:24:50","slug":"waterhergebruik-en-waterkringloopsluiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kwrwater.nl\/en\/actueel\/waterhergebruik-en-waterkringloopsluiting\/","title":{"rendered":"Water reuse and closing the water cycle"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Climate change, pollution, and growing water demand are putting increasing pressure on the availability of reliable freshwater resources worldwide. At KWR, we develop knowledge and solutions to use water more intelligently and sustainably. Water reuse and closing the water cycle play\u00a0a central role<\/span> in this mission. This page provides an overview of how KWR contributes – through research, technology development, and practical collaboration.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The availability of sufficient and reliable freshwater is under pressure worldwide. Climate change, deteriorating water quality, land subsidence, population growth, and rising water demand present new challenges for water management. In this context, there is an urgent need to use water more efficiently and to close water cycles.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Water reuse and water cycle closure are essential strategies that offer solutions to reduce the pressure on freshwater availability.\u00a0<\/span>By repurposing treated wastewater for agriculture, industry, or even drinking water production, dependency on natural sources can be reduced.<\/span>\u00a0KWR researches and develops strategies, technologies, and methods to implement these transitions in a robust, safe, and sustainable way.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Projects such as Urban Waterbuffer<\/a>,\u00a0COASTAR <\/a>and the Bedrijfsoverstijgende Water-Matchmaker<\/a> contribute to a resilient and robust water supply,\u00a0<\/span>demonstrating<\/span>\u00a0how reuse and subsurface buffering can better align water demand and availability\u2014even during times of scarcity.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Why close the water cycle?<\/h2>\n

The traditional linear water chain – from intake to discharge – is no longe<\/span><\/span>r sustainable. By closing <\/a>waterloops<\/a> at local or regional levels, we can ensure water availability where and when it is needed.<\/span>\u00a0This requires structural system-level changes as well as smart local decision-making. KWR supports this transition with knowledge on<\/span> water quality<\/a>,\u00a0 soil<\/a>,\u00a0 purification<\/a>, pipeline transport<\/a>, system analysis<\/a>,\u00a0water demand <\/a>and future scenario exploration<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Water reuse: from wastewater to valuable resource<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Treated urban and industrial wastewater is increasingly seen as a reliable\u00a0<\/span>alternative<\/span>\u00a0freshwater source. KWR works on technologies and systems for safe and efficient purification, resource recovery, and water redistribution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of practical implementation include:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n