Joint research and Water in the Circular Economy: applied research with an impact on working with water

The aim of the BTO programme is to conduct applied scientific research that is closely tailored to the work done by water companies and linked to the national and international scientific world. WiCE came forth from BTO and it brings together KWR and the water companies, as well as other partners from the water sector, in research that contributes to the social challenges in the context of the circular economy, climate adaptation and the transition to a sustainable energy supply. So both programmes are about the impact on water companies, the water sector and society.

Impact stories

And that impact should not be underestimated: BTO and WiCE research results lead to applications in the day-to-day work of water companies and other partners in the water sector. Strong examples can be found in three recent stories:

• The story Water in the Circular Economy (WiCE) brings the water sector together shows André Struker (Waternet), Ferdinand Kiestra (Aa en Maas Water Authority) and Ruud Bartholomeus (KWR) in discussion about thinking in terms of the water system, the Water Factory and other applied examples of circular water use.
• In Joint effort to address climate changes, Gertjan Zwolsman and Ruben Wentink (both from Dunea) explain how, with the help of BTO, water companies are anticipating the urgent issues raised by climate change.
• And Urgency and transparency drive research tells the story of Adrie Atsma (Vitens) and Leo Heijnen (KWR) about the development and the legal approval of a rapid RT-PCR test for the detection of faecal contaminants in drinking water which was developed in response to demand-driven research and open communications.

Our joint research is all about impact – so you can expect more impact stories in the future!