Nina Flowers

Scientific researcher

030-6069643
nina.flowers@kwrwater.nl
06-54294132

Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
RECREATE

Eleven European partners will be working together on using alternative sources and additional buffers to strengthen the resilience of water supplies to water scarcity. KWR is leading a work package with four varied regional case studies: in…

Read more about RECREATE
Health
Microbial safety
PCR methods for legal parameters

In determining the (hygienic) quality of drinking water, use is made of E. coli, intestinal enterococci and bacteria from the coli group (coliforms) as indicator organisms. Culture methods are the standard technique used to establish the presence…

Read more about PCR methods for legal parameters
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Wiser with Metal

This practical study investigates how much aquafer can be reprocessed into iron powder of a known quality. If pure enough, the iron powder can be used for a range of high-grade applications, including as a carrier material…

Read more about Wiser with Metal
Health
Safe innovation and the water sector
Rewarding: closing water and nitrate cycles in greenhouse horticulture

The greenhouse horticulture sector in the Netherlands is working on circular food production. On the road to achieving this goal, the sector must focus on, among other things,…

Read more about Rewarding: closing water and nitrate cycles in greenhouse horticulture
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
An absolute barrier to PFAS in RO concentrate – no PFAS discharge to the environment in the drinking water sector (PAH PFAS)

An inventory study (KWR 2021.040) has shown that drinking water utilities find PFAS in their sources. PFAS are removed effectively during treatment with reverse osmosis (RO) but this…

Read more about An absolute barrier to PFAS in RO concentrate – no PFAS discharge to the environment in the drinking water sector (PAH PFAS)
Society
Stakeholder involvement and governance
Value Case Development: a process methodology for sustainable decision-making

Drinking water utilities will have to make major investments in the coming decades in areas such as asset infrastructure in order to maintain their capacity to continue supplying…

Read more about Value Case Development: a process methodology for sustainable decision-making
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Closing the Cycle of Nutrients from Wastewater and Process Water (KNAP)

In this cross-sectoral project within TKI Water Technology and TKI Agri & Food, research partners WUR/WENR, KWR and LeAF are working together with a wide range of public-…

Read more about Closing the Cycle of Nutrients from Wastewater and Process Water (KNAP)
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Waterrotonde Eerbeek

A pilot project has been organised with a circular water management system at the Industriewater Eerbeek (IWE) site. Existing plants treat process water from paper and cardboard mills and recover residual products for use in agriculture. The…

Read more about Waterrotonde Eerbeek
Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Monitoring, modelling and reducing nitrous oxide emissions from WWTPs

Towards mitigation strategies for WWTPs through intensive monitoring and modelling of N2O emissions Industry and society are striving to reduce the carbon footprint in response to tackling climate…

Read more about Monitoring, modelling and reducing nitrous oxide emissions from WWTPs
Health
Biological activity
Roadmap for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to monitor microbial drinking water quality

The Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis method is suitable for investigating the composition of complex microbial populations. NGS is very valuable for identifying changes in the composition of microbial…

Read more about Roadmap for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to monitor microbial drinking water quality
Health
Emerging contaminants
From non-target screening to risk assessment

Non-target screening, bioassays and computer modelling can provide information about the structure, concentration and toxicity of unknown substances in water. Until now, these chemical, biological and computing methods have often been used…

Read more about From non-target screening to risk assessment
Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Towards a knowledge programme for PVC pipe systems

We are researching how drinking water utilities can collect sufficient information about their PVC pipe systems in the years ahead, with a view to further improving the management of existing and yet-to-be-installed…

Read more about Towards a knowledge programme for PVC pipe systems
Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Determining reliability of modelling of drinking water warming

Water utilities want to know at which locations in the distribution network, and during which periods, risks of excessively warm drinking water may occur, and what targeted measures…

Read more about Determining reliability of modelling of drinking water warming
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Methods for decision-making under deep uncertainty

Progressing climate change, technological developments and population growth put our society and also the water sector in a situation of deep uncertainty. Deep uncertainty is a technical term for the unpredictability of…

Read more about Methods for decision-making under deep uncertainty
Looking ahead
Futures studies and response strategies
Digital twin as experience accelerator

In which situations can a digital twin of the distribution process play a valuable role in the training of new staff? This is the central question in the project entitled: ‘On the…

Read more about Digital twin as experience accelerator
Sustainability
Public Design for Water
System Knowledge and Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus

Land, food, energy, water and ecosystems are linked to each other (the WEFE nexus), and form interconnected socio-metabolisms at different scales. Within Public Design for Water, we work in…

Read more about System Knowledge and Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus
Society
Stakeholder involvement and governance
The ‘Integrated Area Plan’: designing and assessing integrated solutions in area processes

This project is exploring how professionals working in practice can arrive at well-considered ‘Integrated Area Plans’. An Integrated Area Plan focuses on multiple and integrated solutions for various…

Read more about The ‘Integrated Area Plan’: designing and assessing integrated solutions in area processes
Health
Biological activity
Effect of temperature on the growth of opportunistic pathogens

This project is investigating how the heating up of drinking water affects the growth of opportunistic pathogens in the mains system. We are using a pilot array that…

Read more about Effect of temperature on the growth of opportunistic pathogens
Health
Biological activity
The effects on biological stability and later growth of mixing treated water from alternative sources and conventionally produced drinking water

This project will determine the effect of mixing drinking water extracted from new sources (groundwater and surface water) with drinking water from conventional treatment on the biological stability…

Read more about The effects on biological stability and later growth of mixing treated water from alternative sources and conventionally produced drinking water
Health
Emerging contaminants
Sewage surveillance of drug use

Drug use is a recognised societal problem. It is damaging to public health and has negative (undermining) consequences for public security and the environment. An effective drug policy needs to be founded on reliable drug-use and -dealing…

Read more about Sewage surveillance of drug use
Health
Microbial safety
Reliable detection and control of Legionella pneumophila in wastewater

In recent years, the number of registered patients with a Legionella infection has increased in the Netherlands, with the majority of infections caused by Legionella pneumophila. L. pneumophila…

Read more about Reliable detection and control of Legionella pneumophila in wastewater
Sustainability
Public Design for Water
Customer Perspectives and Behavioural Research

In the transition to a more water-aware society, it is essential to listen to and fully understand drinking water customers. How do these customers view drinking water and water conservation? What do…

Read more about Customer Perspectives and Behavioural Research
Sustainability
Public Design for Water
Social Environment and Area Planning Processes

We live in a time of transitions and changes, both in organisations and in the physical environment. We have ambitions in the area of climate adaptation, the water transition, the energy transition…

Read more about Social Environment and Area Planning Processes
Sustainability
Public Design for Water
Futures Studies and Strategy Development

For the timely recognition of threats and opportunities, and, as a society, to react to them effectively, we need to explore the future. Within Public Design for Water, the Futures Studies and…

Read more about Futures Studies and Strategy Development
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Water-kennis: an immersive media experience

Turn on your tap, shower or flush your toilet, and clean water flows out. But where does this water come from? The availability of enough clean water has become an issue for…

Read more about Water-kennis: an immersive media experience
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Monitoring nutrient measures

In many areas of the Netherlands the surface-water quality still does not meet the WFD targets. In the present project two catchment areas in the provinces of North Brabant and Flevoland are being intensively monitored for nutrients,…

Read more about Monitoring nutrient measures
Looking ahead
Futures studies and response strategies
GRROW: an intergenerational lab for the drinking water sector

What does the future water sector look like? What needs to change and what do we want to maintain? The GRROW lab project wants to answer that question…

Read more about GRROW: an intergenerational lab for the drinking water sector
Society
Citizen science and public participation
Customer Perspectives 2.0

In the Joint Research Programme (BTO) Customer theme group, four customer perspectives were developed which provide insight into the diversity of drinking water customers, with their different expectations, desires, concerns and needs. In 2018, the distribution and…

Read more about Customer Perspectives 2.0
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Can’t escape the WaterScape: transforming water and governance systems for dealing with climate impacts in the Dutch Delta

With projected increase in floods and drought it is apparent that the Dutch water system needs to change. In WaterScape we explore large-scale spatial transitions in the physical…

Read more about Can’t escape the WaterScape: transforming water and governance systems for dealing with climate impacts in the Dutch Delta
Health
Microbial safety
AMVD Reference Document revision

Dutch drinking water utilities need to demonstrate that drinking water is safe and does not spread any infectious diseases. To this end, they establish for each drinking water treatment process an Analysis of Microbial Safety of Drinking…

Read more about AMVD Reference Document revision
Society
Citizen science and public participation
Socio-technological legitimisation of water-related reuse

Institutional trust and legal and regulatory frameworks can contribute to the socio-technological legitimisation of new technologies for water-related reuse. In this study, twelve legitimisation strategies were identified (see…

Read more about Socio-technological legitimisation of water-related reuse
Looking ahead
Futures studies and response strategies
BTO/WiCE 2024-2029: current and urgent

The Onderzoeksvisie Gezamenlijk Wateronderzoek voor 2024-2029 voor BTO/WiCE (BTO/WiCE Research Vision of the Collective Water Research for 2024-2029) presents a varied and current programme with innovation, valuable knowledge development and a focus…

Read more about BTO/WiCE 2024-2029: current and urgent
Health
Biological activity
Accelerate Energy Transition with Aquathermia 2.0

In its National Climate Agreement, the Dutch government has made commitments to reducing the emission of CO2. One of the sectors referred to in the agreement is the built environment. Heat demand…

Read more about Accelerate Energy Transition with Aquathermia 2.0
Health
Biological activity
Effect of temperature on the growth of opportunistic pathogens

In this study we investigate how the increase in the temperature of drinking water influences the growth of particular pathogens, known as opportunistic pathogens, in the drinking water…

Read more about Effect of temperature on the growth of opportunistic pathogens
Looking ahead
Futures studies and response strategies
Alternative Drinking Water Sources

Safeguarding microbial safety in the use of alternative drinking water sources is an important subject of concern for the future. For this reason, drinking water utilities are researching the potential of new…

Read more about Alternative Drinking Water Sources
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
The Ultimate Water Plant

The Ultimate Water Plant is a collaborative project involving parties in the water sector who want to demonstrate how, and subject to which conditions, treated sewage can be made available as a supplementary source of drinking water.…

Read more about The Ultimate Water Plant
Health
Biological activity
ProVe IT-LT: Proven Safe and Innovative Hot Tap Water at Low Temperature

A low temperature (LT; 50 °C) in heating networks offers various advantages, such as reduced heat loss during heat distribution. Moreover, a low supply temperature is also increasingly…

Read more about ProVe IT-LT: Proven Safe and Innovative Hot Tap Water at Low Temperature
Society
Citizen science and public participation
Longitudinal customer research

Longitudinal customer research can help drinking water utilities better tailor their services to their customers. To enable the best possible design of these studies, an ‘ideal’ questionnaire has been developed, as a part of a larger whole.…

Read more about Longitudinal customer research
Society
Citizen science and public participation
The customer as tourist

For the drinking water utilities customers are not only drinking water consumers. As tourists they also use the nature areas that these organisations manage. What is the perception of the customer as tourists? And to what extent…

Read more about The customer as tourist
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
The role of sludge in infiltration ponds in OMP removal during dune infiltration

Drinking water utilities that use dune infiltration or riverbank filtration employ infiltration ponds with a sludge layer. This project investigates the role played by the thickness and conditions…

Read more about The role of sludge in infiltration ponds in OMP removal during dune infiltration
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
ANCHOR: broad knowledge development about urban water reuse

In this project, we will study the application of water reuse in the built environment from technical, societal, governance and economic perspectives. The goal is to establish a…

Read more about ANCHOR: broad knowledge development about urban water reuse
Health
Biological activity
Biological treatment of RO concentrate

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water treatment technique that involves the use of semi-permeable membranes to remove unwanted molecules and particles. It is an effective way of extracting a wide variety of…

Read more about Biological treatment of RO concentrate
Health
Biological activity
Risk of L. pneumophila with heating networks

In this project, a qualitative microbiological risk analysis is being conducted to determine the effect of using heating networks for domestic connections on the number of patients with L. pneumophila. In addition, we…

Read more about Risk of L. pneumophila with heating networks
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
VIPNL: Wetland crops on water-rich peat

This project is investigating how wetland agriculture on water-rich peat can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land subsidence, and deliver improvements in water quality and biodiversity. The focus is on…

Read more about VIPNL: Wetland crops on water-rich peat
Health
Safe innovation and the water sector
TUBES as a controlled test environment for low-threshold pilot projects

In this project, we are investigating the possibilities and limitations of distributed-optical-fibre detection techniques in a controlled test environment. This projectis being organised in a broad alliance of…

Read more about TUBES as a controlled test environment for low-threshold pilot projects
Health
Emerging contaminants
Lead from brass components – phase III

This project examines the Dutch drinking water sector’s sampling protocol to control lead concentrations at the tap. With a tightening of the lead standard, the performance of this protocol needs to be…

Read more about Lead from brass components – phase III
Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Insight into connecting pipes

There is still not enough attention being paid to connecting pipes in the transport and distribution network of the Dutch water utilities and De Watergroep in Flanders. Our understanding of the condition, failure probability and residual lifespan…

Read more about Insight into connecting pipes
Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Impact of internal factors on malfunctions

Can malfunctions and/or repair work and pump operations lead to new malfunctions in the mains? This project will investigate this question by determining whether there is a statistical relationship between these factors…

Read more about Impact of internal factors on malfunctions
Enabling technologies
Future-proof networks
Quantitative added value of digital water meters and other sensors at customer locations

What are the benefits for the distribution process of different versions of smart water meters and the additional sensors? In this project, quantitative descriptions and model studies will…

Read more about Quantitative added value of digital water meters and other sensors at customer locations
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Improving the reliability and practicality of an AI-based tool for data validation and correction

Water companies are increasingly using sensor data for advanced process monitoring and control for key variables. They are therefore increasingly reliant on high-quality data. In this project, the…

Read more about Improving the reliability and practicality of an AI-based tool for data validation and correction
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Reduction of pressure on groundwater through reuse of water from dairy plants in agriculture

Groundwater in the Netherlands is under pressure, both in terms of quantity and quality. Groundwater is used in several activities, including drinking water production, agriculture and industry. In…

Read more about Reduction of pressure on groundwater through reuse of water from dairy plants in agriculture
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Digital water – building a conceptual cost-benefit framework based on the experiences of frontrunners

Several water companies at home and abroad have taken far-reaching steps in digitising their operations. In this project, we deepen our understanding of the drivers of frontrunners for…

Read more about Digital water – building a conceptual cost-benefit framework based on the experiences of frontrunners
Health
Biological activity
Evaluation of Aeromonas legal standard

Since the 1980s Aeromonas in drinking water has been included as a microbiological parameter in the Dutch Drinking Water Decree. Currently, Aeromonas standard exceedances are generally tolerated, partly because it is unclear…

Read more about Evaluation of Aeromonas legal standard
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Biomonitoring of atmospheric nitrogen deposition with mosses

It was expected that the emission of nitrogen during the COVID-19 crisis and the lockdowns would diminish because of the sharp reduction in human activities. This would apply…

Read more about Biomonitoring of atmospheric nitrogen deposition with mosses
Society
Valorisation
Automatic water-quality control for good recirculation water in greenhouse horticulture

Greenhouse horticulture irrigation water, when recirculated, acquires a complex composition. The impact this has on crops is for the most part unknown. The possibility of determining whether the…

Read more about Automatic water-quality control for good recirculation water in greenhouse horticulture
Health
Biological activity
Biological stability parameters in operational practice

New methods for determining and predicting biological stability developed since 2010 are applied less often in daily drinking water practice than are the previously existing older methods. This,…

Read more about Biological stability parameters in operational practice
Health
Microbial safety
Fast alternative for the heterotrophic plate count at 22°C (HPC22) following interventions in the drinking water distribution system

This project will determine which method is suitable for the detection of anomalies in the microbial water quality following maintenance activities or pipe breaks in the drinking water…

Read more about Fast alternative for the heterotrophic plate count at 22°C (HPC22) following interventions in the drinking water distribution system
Looking ahead
Futures studies and response strategies
PUSH-IT: demonstration and development of seasonal underground heat storage systems

The EU aims to become carbon neutral by 2050. Large-scale seasonal underground heat storage has an important part to play in meeting this objective, because heating and cooling…

Read more about PUSH-IT: demonstration and development of seasonal underground heat storage systems
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Solar panels on water reservoirs

Drinking water reservoirs have a large water surface. The installation of floating solar panels on reservoirs can be an effective strategy to generate energy. However, the question is, if and what impacts do solar panels have on…

Read more about Solar panels on water reservoirs
Sustainability
Sustainable energy
Power-to-X Province of Utrecht

The energy system of the Netherlands must become clean and future-proof, but also remain reliable and affordable. Local production of sustainable solar or wind energy will play an important part in this effort. In order to accelerate…

Read more about Power-to-X Province of Utrecht
Health
Emerging contaminants
Water Quality Knowledge Impulse

Over the past four years, work in the Water Quality Knowledge Impulse has focused on learning more about the quality of groundwater and surface water, and the factors that affect that quality. The aim of the Water…

Read more about Water Quality Knowledge Impulse
Health
Emerging contaminants
PARC: European partnership for the assessment of risks from chemicals

The EU-wide research and innovation programme PARC was established in order to improve the risk assessment and sustainability of chemicals. The PARC project will strengthen the scientific basis…

Read more about PARC: European partnership for the assessment of risks from chemicals
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Chances for Concentrate

In this project, we are investigating how the circular processing of concentrated residual streams can contribute to future-resilient and socially responsible freshwater supplies. This involves recovering water and producing raw materials for which there is a market.…

Read more about Chances for Concentrate
Health
Emerging contaminants
Implementation of screening and NTS methods in practice

Drinking water laboratories have recently expressed a need for the further integration of screening methods, including non-target screening (NTS), in the methods used to monitor water quality. Technological…

Read more about Implementation of screening and NTS methods in practice
Health
Emerging contaminants
Environmental forensics: pollution signatures

The presence of anthropogenic substances in the drinking water chain poses challenges for the water sector, and specifically for drinking water companies. That presence is undesirable, and sometimes even problematic. Although treatment…

Read more about Environmental forensics: pollution signatures
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Big data – analysis and integration of chemical and toxicological data

Monitoring the water quality of drinking water is challenging due to the presence of complex mixtures of mostly unknown substances that vary in concentration and composition. Over the…

Read more about Big data – analysis and integration of chemical and toxicological data
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
Effect-based monitoring of water quality in the circular economy

Freshwater from groundwater or surface water sources is becoming scarce in dry periods, driving a rise in interest in the use/re-use of rainwater and treated domestic and industrial…

Read more about Effect-based monitoring of water quality in the circular economy
Health
Emerging contaminants
Drugs production waste in groundwater: field research and action perspectives

Little is still known about the impact of the long-term or extensive discharge of chemical waste from the production of synthetic drugs (SYNDRU) on groundwater quality and therefore…

Read more about Drugs production waste in groundwater: field research and action perspectives
Health
Emerging contaminants
Toxicology on Target

The domain of toxicological risk assessment is constantly evolving and it is essential to follow these developments closely. It has been noted that an adequate response to water quality issues requires the ongoing development of knowledge and…

Read more about Toxicology on Target
Health
Emerging contaminants
Microplastics in water treatment

Plastics are a ubiquitous part of everyday life and they are found in fresh water throughout the Netherlands. In this project, we describe the nature and levels of microplastics (20 - 500 µm) at different stages of…

Read more about Microplastics in water treatment
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Text mining for the early detection of relevant water pollutants

Long before substances are included in regulations and monitoring programmes, text sources such as reports, social media, press releases, regulatory agency websites or the scientific literature can provide…

Read more about Text mining for the early detection of relevant water pollutants
Health
Emerging contaminants
Are PMOCs less toxic?

Persistent mobile organic compounds (PMOC) accumulate in the water cycle and are hardly removed during water treatment. For a long time, these substances have been under-researched but recent studies show that they are present in worrying concentrations.…

Read more about Are PMOCs less toxic?
Health
Emerging contaminants
Nanoplastics in drinking water

It is becoming increasingly clear that plastic is everywhere. That has been demonstrated in numerous environmental compartments, including soil, sediment, surface water and air. Data about the presence of microplastic particles in surface water are sparse, and…

Read more about Nanoplastics in drinking water
Health
Emerging contaminants
Water-soluble polymers – Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020

Water-soluble polymers are often neglected because they are not covered by the definition of microplastics and are not visible. As a result, very little is still known about…

Read more about Water-soluble polymers – Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020
Health
Biological activity
VO Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020 (LDIR and biofilm)

The regrowth and biofilm formation of micro-organisms on pipe material and membranes lead to problems in drinking water systems. To combat biofilm formation, a knowledge of the dynamics…

Read more about VO Eyes and ears for Chemical Safety 2019-2020 (LDIR and biofilm)
Health
Emerging contaminants
Clearer picture of the formation of transformation products during drinking water treatment thanks to integrated strategies

During drinking water production, biotic and antibiotic processes can form transformation products (TP) from organic micropollutants (OMP). How these substances behave in water treatment and how toxic they…

Read more about Clearer picture of the formation of transformation products during drinking water treatment thanks to integrated strategies
Enabling technologies
New materials and technologies
Improved prioritisation and fragmentation improve the identification of unknown substances with non-target screening

Non-target screening (NTS) is based on the combination of liquid chromatography in conjunction with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). In addition, tailored data analysis, with target and suspect screening,…

Read more about Improved prioritisation and fragmentation improve the identification of unknown substances with non-target screening
Health
Emerging contaminants
Contribution to Toxicology Knowledge Impulse

We are making and using more and more substances in larger and larger quantities. Analyses by collaborating European ecologists and ecotoxicologists have shown that exposure to mixtures of chemicals is a limiting…

Read more about Contribution to Toxicology Knowledge Impulse
Health
Emerging contaminants
Survey of drug waste emission pathways and relevance for the drinking water sector

The Netherlands has a thriving illegal industry for the production of synthetic drugs such as amphetamine (speed), MDMA (XTC) and “designer drugs”. It releases all kinds of waste…

Read more about Survey of drug waste emission pathways and relevance for the drinking water sector
Health
Emerging contaminants
Integration of non-target screening, statistical analyses and bioassays for the global assessment of chemical water quality

Thanks to developments in screening methods based on high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), the detection of chemicals in water now not only allows for the detection of specific substances…

Read more about Integration of non-target screening, statistical analyses and bioassays for the global assessment of chemical water quality
Health
Emerging contaminants
Highly polar compounds I

An understanding of the presence of highly polar compounds in sources of drinking water is important because these substances can threaten drinking water supplies. This is because highly polar compounds can spread well in water and soil,…

Read more about Highly polar compounds I
Health
Emerging contaminants
New chemical analysis methods

The world around us is changing rapidly and new techniques emerge regularly. The ongoing assessment of detection technologies (instrumental and otherwise) makes it possible to identify their possible value for the water sector in good time. BTO…

Read more about New chemical analysis methods
Health
Biological activity
Trigger value data gaps I and II

There are a lot of advantages to testing water quality with in vitro bioassays but this technique can only be properly applied if the bioassay responses can be compared with ‘effect-based trigger values’ (EBT). This study determines…

Read more about Trigger value data gaps I and II
Health
Emerging contaminants
Exploration of sources, behaviour and risk of new substances

At present, the count for substances with a CAS number stands at over 194 million. New substances are being registered, produced and applied at a rapid pace. The…

Read more about Exploration of sources, behaviour and risk of new substances
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Digital twins for the water sector

'Digital twins' is the buzzword of recent years in many industries, including the water industry. The term is used to indicate digital representations (copies in some way) of physical systems. In some…

Read more about Digital twins for the water sector
Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Effects of interventions in the distribution network on the existing microorganisms: DNA techniques offer clarity

Earlier research by Evides Waterbedrijf revealed that the number and composition of microbial populations can change during the distribution process of drinking water. This 2018 research was undertaken…

Read more about Effects of interventions in the distribution network on the existing microorganisms: DNA techniques offer clarity
Health
Emerging contaminants
Computer models for water quality assessment

Around the world, the number of different contaminants that are found in water is increasing. With new, emerging substances and substances that may be produced in the environment or during water treatment…

Read more about Computer models for water quality assessment
Health
Biological activity
Risk of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water

The water utilities have indicated that research into opportunistic pathogens in drinking water has a high priority. This is because these pathogens could represent a potential health risk. This project’s priority is…

Read more about Risk of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water
Enabling technologies
Hydroinformatics
Digital twin for treatment process

A digital twin provides water utilities with a firm foundation for the transition towards a (more) data-driven organisation, with prospects of optimisation, better insight or more effective management. Many organisations want to…

Read more about Digital twin for treatment process
Health
Biological activity
Exploratory Research: Water Quality Footprint

The water sector is today actively working on CO2 emission reduction (and climate neutrality). Up until now, the possibility of including water quality improvement in environmental impact methodologies has however been very…

Read more about Exploratory Research: Water Quality Footprint
Health
Microbial safety
Passive sampling of microbiological parameters

The aim of this project is to establish a picture of whether passive sampling for microbiological detection can deliver added value over taking samples. Passive sampling is a way of sampling chemicals…

Read more about Passive sampling of microbiological parameters
Health
Emerging contaminants
Improved water quality through advanced oxidation and dune infiltration

The Dunea drinking water utility uses surface water to produce drinking water by means of dune filtration. In the decades ahead, the quality of the river water that…

Read more about Improved water quality through advanced oxidation and dune infiltration
Health
Emerging contaminants
VHP4Safety: Towards chemical safety assessment based on human data

Chemical safety assessment, designed to minimise the risks of chemical exposures to human health and the environment, has traditionally been based on animal testing. Many natural and man-made…

Read more about VHP4Safety: Towards chemical safety assessment based on human data
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Reducing drinking-water consumption by business

There has been an increasing emphasis in recent years on water savings and water awareness among domestic clients. A similar research focus is needed for business and that is the aim of…

Read more about Reducing drinking-water consumption by business
Sustainability
Climate change and resilience
GRROW – Generational and Radical Rethinking of the Water Sector

The GRROW project will have a sequel: the GRROW lab! If you want to participate as a participant, register now via this link. or visit the GRROW-lab project…

Read more about GRROW – Generational and Radical Rethinking of the Water Sector
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Digital Twin for the development of data and model to support ASR management systems

Subsurface water storage, also known as Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), of excess freshwater can play an important role in enhancing the sustainability of water use in the…

Read more about Digital Twin for the development of data and model to support ASR management systems
Sustainability
Sustainable resources
Power-to-Protein: efficient input of hydrogen (phase 3)

In recent years great progress has been achieved within the TKI Water Technology programme with the Power-to-Protein concept: the recovery of ammonium from the wastewater cycle for use…

Read more about Power-to-Protein: efficient input of hydrogen (phase 3)
Sustainability
Sustainable use of freshwater resources
Connecting the water cycle and the water system for a better balance of water demand and supply

Sufficient freshwater, for all users and functions. This is also a growing challenge in the Netherlands and Flanders. A solution is being sought in self-provision at the regional…

Read more about Connecting the water cycle and the water system for a better balance of water demand and supply
Health
Biological activity
Predicting the biodegradation of organic micropollutants

Drinking and wastewater companies have to work with problem substances that are not removed, or not removed properly, during the treatment process. In this new exploratory study, we…

Read more about Predicting the biodegradation of organic micropollutants
Health
Safe innovation and the water sector
Water-Futures

How should the world achieve high-quality water services in the future while facing severe climate, economic and population pressures under deep uncertainty? Water-Futures, a 10M Euros European Research Council (ERC) funded project (ERC Synergy Grant), aims to…

Read more about Water-Futures

All projects ()

Publications

All publications

News

News

RECREATE: a system-wide look at the water system

02 July 2024 — PWN and KWR are working together in the European RECREATE project about alternative water sources.

Read more about RECREATE: a system-wide look at the water system
News

Social science research: the people behind the water meter

01 July 2024 — In the new BTO phase, the Customer theme group will continue to invest in understanding and serving drinking…

Read more about Social science research: the people behind the water meter
Blog

Improved insight and control with Digital Twins at water utilities

28 June 2024 — Digital twins provide water utilities with a new tool to increase the understanding and control of systems and…

Read more about Improved insight and control with Digital Twins at water utilities
Blog

KWR joins the Dutch Society of Toxicology in its 45th Anniversary

27 June 2024 — On 18 and 19 June, the Dutch Society of Toxicology's 45th anniversary symposium brought together 200 toxicologists, including…

Read more about KWR joins the Dutch Society of Toxicology in its 45th Anniversary
News

Nature article on risk management for droughts and floods most cited in 2023

26 June 2024 — Marjolein van Huijgevoort wins KWR’s 2023 Willem Koerselman Prize for her contribution to a Nature article on risk…

Read more about Nature article on risk management for droughts and floods most cited in 2023
News

Ad van Wijk receives Global Solar Leaders Award

21 June 2024 — Professor Ad van Wijk received the Global Solar Leaders Award on 12 June 2024. This award is one…

Read more about Ad van Wijk receives Global Solar Leaders Award
News

Room for the implementation of research methods

20 June 2024 — During the next BTO phase, the Biological Safety theme group will be focusing more, in addition to research,…

Read more about Room for the implementation of research methods
News

Singapore honours Gertjan Medema with the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2024

19 June 2024 — On 18 June, the President of Singapore, Mr Tharman, awarded KWR-microbiologist Gertjan Medema the Lee Kuan Yew Water…

Read more about Singapore honours Gertjan Medema with the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2024
News

Approval of RT-PCR to measure intestinal enterococci

12 June 2024 — The RT-PCR method has been approved for detecting intestinal enterococci in drinking water, allowing drinking water companies to…

Read more about Approval of RT-PCR to measure intestinal enterococci
Blog

VHP4Safety Designathon: Working together on human risk assessment

11 June 2024 — On 13 May, the 5th VHP4Safety Designathon took place, in which project partners, stakeholders and potential end users,…

Read more about VHP4Safety Designathon: Working together on human risk assessment
Water Sector

Effluent as a promising solution for greenhouse horticulture

10 June 2024 — The TKI project ‘Securing effluent rwzi for greenhouse horticulture sector’ demonstrates that the use of treated effluent as…

Read more about Effluent as a promising solution for greenhouse horticulture
News

Reusing residual water from the dairy industry can contribute to the water transition

07 June 2024 — The dairy sector can make a significant contribution to the water transition by reusing residual water. In the…

Read more about Reusing residual water from the dairy industry can contribute to the water transition
News

Plea for integrated approach when tackling pollutants

04 June 2024 — Doctorate research contributes to a better understanding of the effects of mixture toxicity and emphasises the importance of…

Read more about Plea for integrated approach when tackling pollutants
News

“Everyone is welcome to work with WiCE”

04 June 2024 — The WiCE (Water in the Circular Economy) programme led by Joep van den Broeke and Henk-Jan van Alphen…

Read more about “Everyone is welcome to work with WiCE”
Water Sector

Knowledge as the fuel for the future

03 June 2024 — KLIMAP, a TKI project focusing on climate-resilient planning for sandy soils in the southern and eastern Netherlands, has…

Read more about Knowledge as the fuel for the future
News

TKI Water Technology – 2023 Annual Report: helping to shape the innovation policy

30 May 2024 — TKI Water Technology - Annual Report 2023: looking back at successfully completed projects and looking ahead at how…

Read more about TKI Water Technology – 2023 Annual Report: helping to shape the innovation policy
News

Dragan Savic hands over CEO role to Mariëlle van der Zouwen

28 May 2024 — KWR CEO Dragan Savic has decided to step down from his role effective 1 June 2024. He is…

Read more about Dragan Savic hands over CEO role to Mariëlle van der Zouwen
Blog

Highlights from SETAC Europe: Advancing Environmental Science and Collaboration in Seville

22 May 2024 — The 34th annual SETAC Europe meeting in Seville brought together more than 3,000 participants to discuss the latest…

Read more about Highlights from SETAC Europe: Advancing Environmental Science and Collaboration in Seville