Impact of research on water practices

The aim of BTO is to carry out applied scientific research, which is closely linked to the practice of the water companies as well as to national and international science. Within WiCE, the water companies and KWR bring together even more partners from the water sector for research that contributes to societal challenges. Starting points are the transition to a circular economy, a sustainable energy supply and water reuse. Both programmes aim to achieve impact for water companies, the water sector and society.

Impact stories

The water sector realises impact because water companies and partners can apply BTO and WiCE research results in daily practice. In six impact stories, we provide great examples of this, including the recently published article on asset management:

• ‘Asset management cannot do without target structures‘ story tells of the BTO ‘Target structures’. “Target structures are now impossible to do without,” says Ina Vertommen, researcher and Hydroinformatics team leader at KWR. From within BTO, the sector has worked with KWR to develop a method that drinking water companies can now use to optimally develop pipeline networks.
• In the story Water in the circular economy (WiCE) brings water sector together André Struker (Waternet), Ferdinand Kiestra (Waterschap Aa en Maas), Ruud Bartholomeus (KWR) talk about Water Systems Thinking, the Water Factory and other examples of applied circular water use.
• In Joint effort to address climate changes, Gertjan Zwolsman and Ruben Wentink (both Dunea) tell about the ways in which water companies, with the help of the BTO, are anticipating the urgent issues raised by climate change.
• Read in Urgency and transparency drive research the story of Adrie Atsma (Vitens) and Leo Heijnen (KWR) on the development and legal awarding of a rapid RT-PCR test for the detection of faecal contaminants in drinking water, achieved thanks to demand-driven research and open communication.
• In Drinking Water Operational Codes: from research to implementation, Martin Meerkerk (KWR) and Tessa van den Brans (KWR) talk about KWR’s important role in drafting the drinking water codes of practice. These codes translate scientific research from the BTO into practical guidelines.
• See in Even smarter water saving with smart water meters: a customer-oriented approach how the BTO demonstrated that a behavioural science approach can deliver water savings in households. From the BTO’s Smart Water Conservation project, the WaterInzichtPakket (WIP) tool subsequently emerged, giving households a clear overview of their water use.