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Research institute for the watercycle1WatercycleOur planet’s water runs through its own cycle. It evaporates from the oceans, reaches the atmosphere and then returns to earth as precipitation: directly back to the salty reservoir or flowing, at its own pace, as surface water or groundwater back into the seas and oceans. Water-use cycleAs human beings, we draw off water from this planetary watercycle for our own use. We use groundwater or surface water to drink, to grow our food in fields and pastures – then to prepare this food – to produce a wide variety of materials, to wash our things and ourselves, to carry off our waste products through our sewer systems, and to enjoy ourselves – in gardens, saunas or aquatic parks. Each of these uses has its own water quality requirement. In the end, the water returns to its planetary watercycle. We do our best to clean the used and polluted water as well as we can, after which we return it to the surface water and the sea, in the knowledge that some day we will want to use it again. The planetary watercycle and our, smaller, water-use cycle – from source to tap and vice versa – are after all inseparable from each other. SustainabilityWe humans must therefore handle the valuable raw material that is water in a sustainable and intelligent manner. We must apply our technology in pursuit of our own goals but without damaging the watercycle, the environment or the surface water and groundwater. This is an immense task, especially in intensely populated and used deltas, where we also have to concern ourselves with water management and delta technology to ensure an optimal defence against that other, destructive, side of water: flooding. Water: our source Water is vital. Without water there is no life – not for us and not for nature, which nourishes us physically and spiritually. Refreshing, cooling, cleansing, thirst-quenching, athletically challenging – we can’t and don’t wish to manage without water: from the farm ditch bursting with aquatic life to the immense oceans, from brilliant snow to sensual aquatic parks, and sparkling in a glass or invigorating in a shower. 2From a solid base in drinking water...KWR assists the water sector in facing this challenge with powerful means. For all partners in the water-use cycle, we develop and unlock relevant knowledge about the watercycle: from water systems to water technology and (healthy) water quality. Having started out as Kiwa Water Research, a section of KIWA NV, KWR has been an independent entity since 2007. As a research institute, we have built up a solid foundation from over 60 years of research and development for the Dutch drinking water sector companies, our current shareholders. Unique in the world, this collaboration of the water companies in the Netherlands has resulted in a powerful knowledge base and an extensive collective memory for the drinking water sector.... to a research institute for the entire watercycleKWR is now applying this knowledge base and research capability more broadly to serve all partners in the watercycle. Water companies, waterboards, industrial water (technology) users, recreationists and water managers all share the same water sources – and many even share comparable technologies. These water sector partners are more and more explicitly faced with the social assignment of working in collaboration to give water use an integrated framework. Producing and distributing drinking water and collecting and treating used water cannot be regarded separately. The natural resources – from surface waters to physical space – are used too intensively in our densely populated area for such an approach. All water sector parties must focus more on the sustainable reuse of raw materials and multiple use of scarce space, both above and under ground. To them, efficiency is key, innovative technology an important solution source, and integration as well as administrative collaboration essential. Only if these fundamental preconditions are met, will they succeed in jointly establishing a sustainable water-use cycle and thus responsibly use the watercycle, nature and the environment.MissionKWR wishes to provide its partners in the watercycle with the means to realise these objectives sustainably – ranging from efficient and sustainable business management to the Millennium Development Goals. KWR helps the water sector to identify the challenges it faces, and offers it the means and innovative strategies to meet these challenges successfully.Wim van Vierssen, CEO KWR“For all the stakeholders in the water-use cycle, it is of primary importance to develop an integrated vision for the watercycle. The challenges in the management of water sources, water treatment, water distribution and wastewater are not independent of each other: they must be researched together. This task is tailor-made for KWR as a leading research institute. Moreover, we strive to innovate the production of knowledge itself. The scientific world also has to evolve, because the knowledge paradox needs to be solved – currently valuable scientific insights only trickle through in dribs and drabs to the practical world. Today’s threats like climate change are so complex that it is still practically impossible to predict their consequences. Only an innovative, integrated research approach can offer the basis to answer such questions.”4Growth and innovation: our research vision KWR wishes to provide the water sector with the means to identify and effectively meet the challenges of our time: from climate change to the increasing flow of substances that influence water quality, and the growing need to use the space both above and under ground intensively and for multiple purposes. As an independent research institute, KWR has, in consultation with the water sector, formulated an own research programme. This programme identifies and researches the different aspects of dealing with water within the entire watercycle, whenever possible working together with other leading research institutes and partners. In this way we create value added for our shareholders and clients, and put them in a position of being able to fulfil our collaborative social assignment. Healthy water, Sustainable water, Advanced water and Efficient water define the central themes of this research programme. 5A climate-proof water sector, sustainable sources, water-use cycles and water systems, and environmental management and development take centre stage within the Sustainable Water theme. Sustainability is the key word: we realise that if we’re not economical with our water, this natural resource could become a finite resource.Measures to mitigate climate change – such as cutting green-house gas emissions – but also preparations for necessary adjustments to a changed climate fall under this research theme. Here we have in mind, for instance, protecting our water sources against flooding and learning to deal with extremely low water levels in the large rivers.Managing the water we use sustainably, being economical with raw materials and energy, and concerning ourselves with the recycling of residues, constitute another subject. Can we work more sustainably with water by making use, for example, of cold-warm water storage or geothermics? How does the use of such technologies by parties outside of the water sector influence our natural resources? What impact does it have, for instance, on the quality and quantity of our groundwater? Healthy Water focuses on the relationship between water quality and the health of human beings. This means placing the spot- light on issues such as water safety, the way customers and citizens handle water, and paths toward the Millennium Development Goals. Water quality is paramount: be it in (drinking) water sources, during treatment processes, pouring from the tap or in natural swimming water. Today, we have to carefully guard over drinking water quality – even against purposeful, undesired interferences in the production system. For drinking water, these elements are gathered together within the so-called Water (quality) Safety Plans, which are being developed with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The development of comparable plans for the entire water sector is a useful option. The attitude of citizens varies: at one moment they’re autonomous customers of the drinking water companies, and the next they’re citizens of a democratic society. Their opinions about interfering with nature and the environment, (drinking) water quality or contributions to the Millennium Development Goals vary accordingly. Research into citizen and customer attitudes and behaviour is therefore important to the water sector – which is, after all, at the service of people. Healthy waterSustainable water6The items on the Efficient Water theme’s agenda include the efficient water-use cycle, water and energy, and the effectiveness of knowledge productivity. The water sector strives to attain the highest possible efficiency in its allocation of resources. For this, insight into the expenses and revenues within the chain is or great importance, including insight into energy use and the possibility of using alternative energy sources. The efficient use of knowledge itself is included within this theme. What are effective ways of getting knowledge to pay? Should the knowledge production system be changed? In the Netherlands the 2007 Intergovernmental Agreement on the Water-Use Cycle reached between the government and water-use cycle players, provides a good starting point for this discussion. KWR will also maintain a constant and critical research eye on its own role as a knowledge producer.Within the Advanced Water theme we examine trends that are important for the water sector– for instance, new, very advanced water-quality measurement methods, and new technologies applicable to the water-use cycle. Together with Dutch and foreign experts, we explore trends such as climate change, demographic evolutions in society, new geo-information techniques, security risks and nanotechnology. Often the integration of different disciplines leads to new advanced methods – the opportunities have to be flagged early. For example, advanced measurement methods for toxic substances and micro-organisms are on the horizon, and the management of distribution networks can be increasingly optimised thanks to new geo-information techniques. Advanced waterEfficient water“What is so special about KWR is the bridging function the organisation plays between science and the water companies. KWR conducts broad, question-driven, pre-competitive research for the water sector. That is unique. I applaud the decision to broaden its activities. The world is changing and KWR can be an international pioneer in the field of broad water technology.” Leo Halvers, Member of the Advisory Council for Science and Technology Policy (AWT)Member of the Committee of Wise Men ICES/KIS (BSIK/FES)8BTO and DPW: for the water companiesThe most important example of such high-quality collective research is the Joint Research Programme of the Dutch Water Sector (BTO), with its associates, the Flemish, Aruban and Antillean water companies. BTO is KWR’s engine. With the participation and under the direction of our drinking water company shareholders, BTO is conducted by KWR with the aim of operational excellence in the member companies[J1. It embraces all elements that are relevant to the supply of reliable drinking water of optimal quality – from source to tap, and from nature and the environment to the customer. BTO keeps pace with and, when necessary, strides ahead of the changing perspectives of the drinking water sector. Its research projects focus on the practical problems that water companies have to deal with both today and in the (near) future. Over time, an impressive knowledge base has developed within BTO, which water companies and research institutes abroad gladly draw from. This creates powerful collaborative relationships with foreign parties. But we have also successfully undertaken a variety of joint research projects with a number of Dutch universities and research institutes. Thus KWR and the collective of BTO clients are, together, the largest participant in the Dutch TTIW Wetsus, centre of excellence for sustainable water technology.Following the principles underlying BTO, KWR also carries out the so-called DPW research programme for and with the dune water companies, addressing specific issues relevant to these organisations. Applied knowledge: our value added KWR coordinates and provides high-quality research for and with the water sector. KWR researchers make an important contribution to the development of applied knowledge and technologies for the water sector by collaborating intensively with (collectives of) clients and, together, formulating target-oriented research programmes. These application-guided research programmes draw from KWR’s own broad research programme, so that new, fundamental insights can grow into valuable and practical applications in the shortest possible period of time. 9OPIW: for industryKWR has a specialised window for industry clients: KWR Industry & Water (KIW). This team has grown to become the Industry & Water Research Institute, which, in collaboration with industrial companies – for example from the chemical and food industries – develops and exchanges knowledge. The Industry & Water Research Programme (OPIW) now counts dozens of participants that share in specific research projects and in their results. KIW has also formed a strong strategic alliance with Evides Industriewater.Wetsus: innovative water technologyKWR is a partner in Wetsus, centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, in which companies and research institutes collaborate multi-disciplinarily on innovative, sustainable and top-quality water technology. Wetsus provides an interface with the market players in the world of water technology. On the basis of the BTO research programme, KWR, together with the collective of water companies and their umbrella organisation VEWIN, works with Wetsus when focussing on the themes of advanced clean-water technology, water distribution and natural systems interaction. KWR also seeks, when it is possible and sensible, to establish links with the Wetsus research programme – in sensoring research, for instance. As complementary research institutes, KWR and Wetsus have further decided to work together on European-scale plans. HeliXeR: consumer products Public entities, private companies and research institutes, work collaboratively within HeliXeR on the development of water-related consumer products, with a strong emphasis on the “water experience” and health, and a short “time to market” for products. KWR is a partner in this market-oriented public-private collaboration, together with the water company Brabant Water, among others.Over time, an impressive knowledge base has developed within BTO, which water companies and research institutes abroad gladly draw from. This creates powerful collaborative relationships with foreign parties.“KWR’s knowledge, which has a strong scientific focus, complements the solid applied scientific and technological expertise of TNO. Since KWR has extended its field of activities to encompass the entire watercycle, we have more and more in common – including joint funding efforts. Such partnerships are essential to keeping the Netherlands on the international water sector map.” Mart van Bracht, Director, Market, Built Environment and Geosciences, TNO11Worldwide knowledge networks: our finger on the pulse Quality research is not produced in splendid isolation, but as a result of the right partners and interested parties working together. Parties with shared interests often innovate most productively together. This requires that research institutes be open, dynamic and outward-oriented. This is our attitude at KWR, where we purposefully conduct our scientific research as a member of a worldwide community of practice. A community in which we enjoy close (research) relationships with sister institutes and with other valuable partners with expertise in water questions. By pooling our knowledge and expertise, we create more new insights and technologies together than any of us could create working on our own. The result: top-quality knowledge for the water sector.The Netherlands, Europe and beyondOur most important Dutch partners are the water companies, waterboards and other government entities, the Wetsus centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, HeliXeR and the universities. Since water problems often ignore national boundaries, we also work with the best partners worldwide and similar partners within the Global Water Research Coalition (GWRC) and the International Water Association. KWR wishes to further develop internationally as a player in this global field, particularly as a European research institute. A solid foundation for this has already been established, for example, through the initiating, coordinating and implementing roles that KWR fulfils in important EU research projects and networks, such as TECHNEAU and the Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform (WSSTP). Together with various other European institutes, we are working to create a (virtual) European water technology top institute, in which the European watercycle collaboration can take on an even stronger form.12EuropeKWR advises the European Commission in policy formulation, regulation, planning and implementation by means ranging from quick recommendations to long-term scientific research and vision development. For many years now, KWR has advised the Directorate General Environment on all technical and scientific questions regarding the development and implementation of the Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC. For the proper implementation of this directive, KWR has a network in all the European Union’s 27 Member States and contacts with every national drinking water regulatory authority.GWRC (Global Water Research Coalition)KWR is one of the co-initiators of the GWRC. This coalition involves 14 leading research institutes in the area of drinking water and wastewater from Australia, South Africa, the United States, Singapore and five European countries. Its members respond quickly to current water issues, jointly developing research strategies for global water problems, and collaborating in conducting the research. AwwaRFKWR works bilaterally with AwwaRF, the US-based, international, non-profit, research institution and funder. We consult every year on each other’s research programmes and engage in joint projects, focussing on subjects like biofouling of RO/NF membranes, UV disinfection and Early Warning Systems.TECHNEAUTECHNEAU is a large-scale European research programme, which is coordinated by KWR and involves the participation of more than 30 business-sector and scientific organisations. TECHNEAU develops new technologies for the production and monitoring of drinking water, but also works on the optimisation of existing technologies. Risk management and consumer behaviour are objects of its research as well. The programme is closely connected with that of BTO. “The Netherlands is one of the most important centres of excellence in the area of water and it is a country with especially high-quality water. We sometimes take this accomplishment too much for granted, just as we do the role that KWR has played in attaining and maintaining it. Thanks to its broad expertise and close relationships with the drinking water companies, the organisation has what it takes to produce top-level knowledge.” David Luteijn, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, KWR14LaboratoriesKWR’s researchers have access to well-equipped laboratories and advanced equipment. The Materials Research and Chemical Analysis Laboratory (LMC) and the Microbiology Laboratory (LMB) are involved in methodology development, including the transfer of knowledge to the Dutch (water)laboratories. The KWR laboratories are specialised in the detection and identification of very low concentrations of pathogens (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Legionella) and chemical pollution (emerging contaminants). KWR’s accredited laboratories also ensure the quality assurance of the water research laboratories. The water laboratories participate annually in about 40 laboratory-evaluating collaborative studies, which involve tests for various water types and more than 100 parameters. Our laboratories also conduct tests for the certifying entity Kiwa NV on a variety of materials used in the water, construction and environmental sectors.Secure quality: your assurance At KWR we believe in constantly improving our science and services. We therefore request a small, target-oriented, Scientific Advisory Council – consisting of external, independent, leading experts – to monitor the quality of our research programme. We also regularly carry out detailed assessments of the satisfaction of our shareholders and other clients with our efforts. In addition, every five years, we have our entire knowledge system evaluated by an international team of respected scientists and professionals from the international water sector. The KWR laboratories are specialised in the detection and identification of very low concentrations of pathogens (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Legionella) and chemical pollution (emerging contaminants).Various KWR specialists conduct their research on their doctorates at one of the Dutch universities; others combine their work at KWR with an external professorship. Our intensive relationship with other research institutes and the close contacts we have through research activities conducted at the end-users reinforce the stimulating environment that we offer our researchers. People: our strength Research is the work of people – the approximately 150 specialists working at KWR constitute our most important strength. They include hydrologists, ecologists, (micro) biologists, chemists, toxicologists, water, process and distribution technologists, analysts, social science researchers and knowledge managers. They contribute to exploratory and pioneering research within the basic research programme, which is governed by science, but they also conduct applied research in close collaboration with end-users and market players.“My work deals with chemistry, microbiology and technology. It’s therefore quite varied. What I find extremely appealing at KWR is the integration of the enormous amount of knowledge that the different experts have in these fields. Moreover, we are expanding our field of research very rapidly. The combination of scientific research and a direct relationship with the client also makes KWR special. Our research results in practical applications. For example, we developed a technique to clean membranes through “blowing” a mix of air bubbles and water alongside them. A clever idea that allows one to keep the conditions during the process stable for a long period, which literally saves the water sector energy.” Anneke Abrahamse, Head, Water Treatment Team and Scientific Researcher, KWR16This publication is printed on FSC certified paper.ContactWant to know more about KWR? Communication Department Jody Hoogendoorn T +31 (0)30 60 69 511 E jody.hoogendoorn@kwrwater.nlWater Technology Knowledge GroupWater & Health Knowledge GroupWater Systems Knowledge GroupMaterials Research and Chemical Analysis LaboratoryMicrobiology LaboratoryHenk Vinkers (interim)E henk.vinkers@kwrwater.nlGertjan MedemaE gertjan.medema@kwrwater.nlMichiel Hootsmans E michiel.hootsmans@kwrwater.nlAnnemarie van WezelE annemarie.van.wezel@kwrwater.nlHarm VeenendaalE harm.veenendaal@kwrwater.nl Our contacts would be glad to tell you more about their specific fields of expertiseChairmenW. van Vierssen (photo) CEO KWRE wim.van.vierssen@kwrwater.nlD. LuteijnChairman, Supervisory Board KWRJ.P. van der HoekChairman CVO (BTO) J. HalversChairman, Scientific Advisory Council KWRHeliXeRHigh Tech CampusGebouw Beta, HTC 9P.O. Box 7755600 AT EindhovenThe NetherlandsT +31 (0) 40 851 92 70W www.helixer.nlWetsus, centre of excellence for sustainable water technologyP.O. Box 11138900 CC LeeuwardenThe NetherlandsT +31 (0)58 28 46 200 F +31 (0)58 28 46 202W www.wetsus.nlKWRGroningenhaven 7P.O. Box 10723430 BB NieuwegeinThe NetherlandsT +31 (o)30 60 69 511F +31 (o)30 60 61 165E info@kwrwater.nl W www.kwrwater.nlThe following parties participate in the BTO-programme conducted by KWR: Brabant Water, Duinwaterbedrijf Zuid-Holland, Evides, PWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland, Vitens, Waterbedrijf Groningen, Waterleiding Maatschappij Limburg, Waterleidingmaatschappij Drenthe and Waternet.