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Microbiology

Projects

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Health
Microbial safety
Quick picture of microbial water quality

Microbial water quality is an important element in determining the safety of water for humans, animals, plants and the environment. Today’s methods only conclude afterwards whether the water quality was poor. This…

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Health
Emerging contaminants
Biological treatment processes: optimising biodegradation of OMPs in rapid filters

Organic micropollutants (OMPs) in drinking water sources are frequently in the news. To be able to continue supplying safe and reliable drinking water, the drinking water sector wishes,…

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Health
Microbial safety
AMVD measurements

This project investigates the difficulties and solutions involved in the quantitative measurement of microbiological risks. In practice, the analyses required for pathogens in drinking water sources involve large sample volumes (max. 1,000 litres) that are concentrated to…

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Biological activity
Effect of manganese on biofilm formation

The aim of this project is to determine how low manganese concentrations in drinking water affect the formation of biofilm in the distribution system. Biofilm in drinking water with and without manganese…

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Health
Microbial safety
Microbiological degradation of contaminants in reverse osmosis concentrate

In this project, we are investigating the possibility of the microbiological conversion of specific problem substances that are found in reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate during drinking water production.…

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Health
Microbial safety
Alternatives to post-disinfection with chlorine dioxide

In this project, we are investigating alternatives to post-disinfection with chlorine dioxide. The aim is to acquire an understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of the available alternative…

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Biological activity
Survival and growth of water lice in (2018-2020 follow-up)

This research investigated whether water lice can survive and grow on biofilms. This information makes it possible to establish preventive measures to control the spread of water lice.…

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Biological activity
PATHOCERT- Pathogen Contamination Emergency Response Technologies

What are the waterborne pathogen challenges, and how are they affecting the first responders? How should they react to enhance the resilience of European cities to waterborne threats…

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Health
Microbial safety
Implications of antibiotic resistance for drinking water production

Antibiotic resistance is a topical problem that also affects the water sector. Resistance genes, including those against the latest generation of antibiotics, and Highly Resistant Micro-Organisms (HRMO) are,…

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Biological activity
Molecular-biological methods

Traditionally, microbiological analyses are carried out through the cultivation of organisms. Molecular methods in contrast research the genetic material – DNA and RNA – in the water. These methods are faster and provide more information about the…

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Biological activity
Regrowth of bacteria of the coli group in sand filters at the Bergen and Mensink pumping stations

Drinking water quality is controlled, among others, by measuring the presence of bacteria of the coli group. However, when these bacteria, which in themselves are not dangerous, grow…

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Health
Microbial safety
Validation slow sand filtration at De Punt

Slow sand filtration is a treatment process that contributes importantly to drinking water safety. In water practice, however, the concentrations of microorganisms are so low that one cannot demonstrate the level of…

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Health
Microbial safety
AMVD research

The distribution of drinking water without chlorine is the calling card of the Dutch water utilities. What makes it possible is the exceptionally high quality of the drinking water produced in the country. Microbially safe drinking water…

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Enabling technologies
Innovative water treatment technologies
Microbial profiling: short-circuit flows around water wells

Leakages from the casings and clay seals of water wells can cause short circuits between the aquifers. This applies in particular to small, unnoticed leakages resulting from the…

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Biological activity
Microbial profiling in dune infiltration

DNA sequencing has made enormous strides over the past few years. The technology has advanced to the point where is should be possible, on the basis of information from the DNA (and…

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Biological activity
Value of legal and alternative regrowth parameters

The regrowth of microorganisms during the distribution of drinking water can lead to a number of problematic situations. Water companies therefore monitor drinking water quality very closely. Because of possible risks and…

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Health
Microbial safety
Proficiency testing

Proficiency tests are an important instrument for the harmonisation of (environmental) measurements; they allow laboratories to compare their results with those of other laboratories. For more than 30 years, KWR has conducted proficiency tests for a variety…

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All projects ()

Experts

Frits van Charante
Scientific researcher
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Frits van Charante

Scientific researcher

Frits van Charante is a scientific researcher in the field of microbiological activity in man-made water systems. Frits did his doctoral research on the analysis and prevention of microbial biofilms…

030-6069585

frits.van.charante@kwrwater.nl

06-21614874

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Marcelle van der Waals PhD
Scientific researcher Project manager
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Marcelle van der Waals PhD

Scientific researcher Project manager

Marcelle van der Waals is a scientific researcher on Microbiological Water Quality and Health. Marcelle did her PhD research on microbiology in the field of biological degradation of contaminants at…

030-6069566

marcelle.van.der.waals@kwrwater.nl

06-11715232

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Carola Koopmans
Technician
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Carola Koopmans

Technician

Carola Blokker has worked as a Microbiology Analyst at the Laboratory for Microbiology since 2000. Her tasks include testing the microbiological state of various types of water to ascertain the…

030-6069699

carola.koopmans@kwrwater.nl

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Goffe Elsinga BSc
Senior technician
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Goffe Elsinga BSc

Senior technician

Goffe Elsinga has worked as an HBO technician in the microbiology laboratory since October 2012. During this period he has been mainly active in projects involving molecular biological techniques. Among…

030-6069674

goffe.elsinga@kwrwater.nl

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Prof. Gertjan Medema PhD
Principal microbiologist
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Prof. Gertjan Medema PhD

Principal microbiologist

Gertjan Medema is Principal Microbiologist at KWR. He is also part-time professor of Water & Health at Delft University of Technology, and Distinguished Hannah Visiting Professor at Michigan State University.…

030-6069653

Gertjan.Medema@kwrwater.nl

06-25032597

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Patrick Smeets PhD MSc
Senior scientific researcher
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Patrick Smeets PhD MSc

Senior scientific researcher

Patrick Smeets is a Senior Scientific Researcher in microbiological water quality and health, with over 20 years' experience in the drinking water sector. He specialises in quantitative microbiological risk analysis…

030-6069584

Patrick.Smeets@kwrwater.nl

06-45098533

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Paul van der Wielen PhD
Senior scientific researcher
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Paul van der Wielen PhD

Senior scientific researcher

Paul van der Wielen is Principal Scientist in the field of (micro)biological activity in water in man-made water systems, and a member of KWR's Scientific Council. He is also guest…

030-6069642

Paul.van.der.Wielen@kwrwater.nl

06-25241293

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Tessa van den Brand PhD MSc
Scientific researcher Quality coordinator
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Tessa van den Brand PhD MSc

Scientific researcher Quality coordinator

Tessa van den Brand has worked as a scientific researcher at KWR since 2010 and is now one of the first members of the new Energy and Circular Systems team.…

030-6069629

tessa.van.den.brand@kwrwater.nl

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Nikki van Bel PhD
Scientific researcher
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Nikki van Bel PhD

Scientific researcher

Nikki van Bel is a medior scientific researcher in the field of microbiological water quality and health, with over 10 years of experience in microbiology. The aim of her research…

030-6069516

nikki.van.bel@kwrwater.nl

06-31998085

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All experts ()

News

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,…

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News

Urgency and transparency drive research

06 July 2021 — Demand-driven research and open communications: two success factors in sector research for water companies (BTO). That has been…

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News

WHO approves 23 household water treatment systems

08 August 2019 — Household water treatment systems are important for public health in a number of countries, where the quality of…

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News

An ANSWER to the risks of antibiotics (resistance) with water reuse

16 July 2019 — Water reuse is an important weapon in the fight against water scarcity, but the purification and reuse of…

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News

KWR demonstrates value added of water knowledge for practice at trade fair

04 April 2019 — KWR presented the value added of water knowledge in water practice at Aqua Nederland Vakbeurs 2019. The event,…

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News

EU Drinking Water Directive based on advice from KWR

13 February 2018 — KWR has produced an extensive advisory study on the revision of the EU Drinking Water Directive. KWR acted…

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Blog

Airborne dispersal of Cyanobacteria

01 February 2018 — Scientists from Michigan State University have investigated whether harmful algae and associated compounds can be present in aerosols.…

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News

Professor Willy Verstraete appointed KWR Honorary Fellow

25 January 2018 — On 25 January Professor Willy Verstraete was appointed KWR Honorary Fellow. KWR bestowed Verstraete the Honorary Fellowship in…

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Column

2017, the year of Legionella pneumophila

17 January 2018 — Maybe you weren’t aware, but 2017 was the year of a variety of animals, plants and mushrooms. Bird-watchers…

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News

Drinking water sector investigating potential risks of antimicrobial resistance

04 December 2017 — Antimicrobial resistance forms a risk for public health. Resistant bacteria and the genes for antimicrobial resistance are also found in…

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Loet Rosenthal: KWR’s new Manager, Water Quality & Health

01 May 2017 — As of 1 May, Loet Rosenthal succeeds Idsart Dijkstra as the manager of KWR’s Water Quality & Health…

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News

Joan Rose lectures at KWR on the importance of genomics for the water sector

19 January 2017 — On 16 January, Joan B. Rose of Michigan State University and Stockholm Water Prize winner, paid a visit…

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Water Sector

Successful meeting of KWR proficiency test participants

14 November 2016 — On 8 November 2016, KWR received the participants in its proficiency tests. The attendance was high: more than…

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Blog

Presenting QMRA at Iranian Conference on Environmental Health and Sustainable Development

24 October 2016 — Iran is facing many challenges in the field of environmental health, including air pollution, water and food contamination…

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Water Sector

Joan Rose appointed KWR Honorary Fellow

11 October 2016 — The prominent international researcher, Joan Rose, was appointed KWR Honorary Fellow on 11 October during the congress of…

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Water Sector

Rapid optical detection of enterococci in surface water possible

23 September 2016 — A rapid method for enterococci detection in surface water has been developed which could contribute to more efficient…

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Water Sector

Paul van der Wielen among top-10 reviewers

20 September 2016 — Within the framework of the Peer Review Week of Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, the editor of…

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Water Sector

WHO practical guide to quantitative microbial risk assessment, QMRA

21 July 2016 — During the Singapore International Water Week the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a practical guide for carrying out…

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Article

GWRC members set up new collaboration projects

12 June 2015 — During a two-day workshop on 9 and 10 June 2015 at TZW in Karlsruhe, researchers from KWR and…

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