Regional freshwater supply in collaboration

Build a widely supported understanding in order to jointly make good choices

The competition for water requires coordinated decisions at the regional level. How much water can we abstract in a sustainable way without causing damage to nature? Which functions integrate with the landscape and where? Is it worth infiltrating extra water and, if so, where? And is water reuse an effective measure at a certain location? Good decisions for the design and use of the water system require a thorough understanding of the soil, groundwater, surface water, and the water cycle, in their entire complexity – and all in collaboration with all stakeholders. 

Creating insight into water distribution possibilities   

At KWR we develop methods and techniques aimed at quickly creating insight into the water distribution issue at a regional level, and into the propagation of measures to increase the regional water supply (‘from tap to weir’). We use tools and visualisation methods to provide insight in the research outcomes that enable regional partners to make thorough and transparent decisions. We thereby facilitate the discussions among stakeholders, while also supporting the decision-making process that is needed to achieve a resilient water system.

Methods, tools and products

Conceptual models increase the understanding of regional water systems

A widely supported definition of the water system and of its challenges is crucial to finding solutions. KWR creates comprehensive visualisations of water flows and stocks, connected to the interests and needs of the stakeholders in the water system, which water managers and administrators can use to realise this definition. We create area cross-sections and Sankey flow diagrams to provide an instant insight into the regional water distribution, both for the current and future situations. This helps initiate discussion about (future) problem areas and possible solutions. Examples of research of this type are Waterhergebruik en de zoetwatervoorziening (Water reuse and freshwater supply), and the exploratory study RWZI als Waterfabriek (WWTP as Water Factory).

Exploration and comparison of effects of water system measures

In the water transition we work towards a water system that can deal with current and future challenges. This requires giving consideration to many kinds of measures in the and hydrological and anthropogenic water system. Measures aimed at solving problems in the regional water supply do not operate in isolation, but propagate through space and time and can therefore have positive or negative effects on other functions within the water system. KWR explores these effects and studies the possible interactions between measures, landscape characteristics and different functions. For example, we develop the Watersysteemverkenner (Water System Explorer) app within the WiCE project, Together for balance in water demand and supply, with which the effects of measures can be quickly calculated and compared.

Serious games

The water transition requires good collaboration between stakeholders. Not all of the parties have a clear understanding of the challenges of the future nor of the complexity, interconnectedness and urgency of the issues in a water system. To achieve a robust and resilient water system, collaboration should be incorporated at an early stage. Through the use of serious games, such as Aqua Ludens, we make it possible for stakeholders in a region to think collectively, in a playful context, about the different types of issues that may exist, and how they might interfere with the different needs. By letting participants experience how some measures can have knock-on effects on different functions, the importance and urgency of working together becomes clear.

Projects

  • Within the exploratory research project, Waterhergebruik en de zoetwatervoorziening (Water reuse and freshwater provision), Sankey flow diagrams (in Dutch) were used to make it clear that water reuse can contribute to a more robust water system. The diagrams show how different sectors are connected in the human water system, the order of magnitude and quality of the water streams, and what new connections are being made to reduce the pressure on natural freshwater resources.
  • Within the WiCE project, Connecting the water cycle and the water system for a better balance of water demand and supply, we developed methods to depict water system issues and the possible effects of measures of different types. We explored how system-dynamic models can be applied to better understand and compare interventions in the regional water system. This can assist area planning processes in getting a sense of the overall effects and mutual interdependencies in the water system. An additional tool in this context is the Watersysteemverkenner (Water System Explorer) app, with which the effects of measures can be quickly calculated and compared.
  • Greenhouse horticulture requires lots of irrigation water, for which rainwater run-off is commonly used. How can periodic water flooding and irrigation water shortages be brought into balance, and how can the associated benefits and burdens be shared? Within the COASTAR programme we worked out the case of Waterbank Westland (in Dutch). This research shows how measures taken in the water system can have synergetic benefits, and also throws light on how the puzzle can be pieced together in other areas (physical, economic, legal, organisational).
  • A shared picture of the operation, interconnections and problem areas in the water system is an important condition for collectively achieving a robust and future-proof freshwater system. We developed the Aqua Ludens serious game to render the water demand and supply under different scenarios accessible and interactive for the case study of the City of Groningen. The serious game’s design process  and the organised play session contributed to bringing stakeholders together around the water transition.