AquaNL Trade Fair: Day 1

Substances on the radar

by Stefan Kools & Tessa Pronk

Dutch water quality is under pressure, chemical pollution is leading to a decline in biodiversity and it is increasingly difficult to produce good drinking water. Fortunately, water managers monitor numerous substances: we are seeing more and more different substances entering the environment. Would it be possible to establish an even clearer picture of all these substances?, asked Tessa Pronk and Stefan Kools. First, they explained in simple language the current monitoring methods that allow only a small proportion of all substances to be properly identified. They then discussed the alternatives such as non-target screening, bioassays and passive sampling. This review covered the technologies that identify many more substances, such as pharmaceutical residues, industrial chemicals and biocides. Finally, practical applications were discussed in a selection of recent KWR research. It was clear that the audience understood the wish to know more about chemical substances in the environment: after the presentation, a range of government authorities and water managers asked questions and talked about their wishes and ideas to further optimise water monitoring and treatment.

Locally closed water cycle

by Roberta Hofman

Roberta Hofman discussed the concept of locally closed water cycles, in which local sources (surface water and groundwater, wastewater and rainwater) are treated at different scales for specific uses. This system could provide a sustainable solution for water shortages and water quality problems. However, in practice, there are often operational difficulties. The monitoring of water quality plays a crucial role here. Even so, particularly in the area of microbiological risks, this is not currently feasible on a small scale. As a result, systems of this kind may involve a health risk. In addition, it has proven to be very important for the people who are responsible for operating and maintaining systems of this kind to be well aware of the risks (particularly for health).  Moreover, some systems have actually proven to be less sustainable in practice than is generally assumed. On the other hand, they do actually open up new opportunities and possibilities for solving problems in the water system. Hofman stressed the importance of innovation in water treatment technologies and sensors for quality monitoring, as well as the implementation of circular water management strategies throughout the water system. After all, it is crucial to consider the entire water system at the same time in order to ensure that a ‘solution’ in one place will not cause problems elsewhere.

Image 1: KWR-stand

Image 2: Roberta Hofman

Image 3: Stefan Kools

Image 4: Roberta Hofman

Image 5: Tessa Pronk at the KWR-stand