Our society is facing an urgent need for more affordable housing and the preservation of a reliable drinking water supply. Young people are unable to leave their parental homes due to a shortage of housing, while the drinking water system is under pressure. This is caused by high per capita water consumption in the Netherlands, falling groundwater levels, and declining quality of water sources. The consequences of climate change are therefore already being felt – especially in cities, where rising outdoor temperatures are creating unlivable housing conditions.
“Water storage and reuse are essential to achieving climate-neutral and affordable housing.”
Download the expert papers below
Expert Paper – The Importance of Rainwater Tanks for Stormwater Buffering
This expert paper outlines and substantiates why capturing rainwater is vital to managing the challenges posed by changing climate conditions. The current water system is not equipped to responsibly cope with increasing heat, droughts, and extreme rainfall events. This paper provides an in-depth look at what is possible and how we can intelligently manage rainwater.
Expert Paper – Sanitary Water-Saving Measures: Essential for a Sustainable Future
Due to climate change, population growth, and economic development, water is becoming an increasingly pressing issue—manifesting as both water scarcity and water overload. This paper explores the root causes and presents practical solutions to address these challenges.
Expert Paper – Black Water Treatment
Treating domestic wastewater is a crucial component of sustainable water management in both urban and rural environments. For policymakers in municipalities and water authorities, developers, national government officials, and environmental agencies, it is essential to understand and implement effective wastewater treatment. Download the expert paper to learn more.
Expert Paper – A Vision on Urban Water Use
Blueprint for a Circular Water Smart Society offers an overview of the drivers behind today’s water crisis and demonstrates how safe, circular water sources in urban settings can provide a quick and intelligent solution to reduce both tap water usage and wastewater discharge by 25% to 45%.
Legislation and Regulation
The Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Dutch Building Decree for the Living Environment) and the Drinkwaterbesluit (Drinking Water Decree) currently restrict the application of available water-saving technologies in Dutch housing. These range from innovative systems to waterless urinals that have been in use for decades elsewhere.
Water reuse is not yet included in the BREEAM, BENG, or MPG sustainability standards. Meanwhile, the European Parliament has called on the European Commission to introduce legislation aimed at reducing the water footprint of both citizens and industry.
Smarter Use of Rainwater, Greywater, and Wastewater Is Essential
For much of the past century, water and drinking water in the Netherlands have been abundantly available and relatively inexpensive. The quality of Dutch drinking water is among the highest in the world. However, as groundwater availability comes under increasing pressure and with 900,000 new homes planned, the way we use water in buildings must change.
We need to reuse shower, bath, and rainwater within the home. Rainwater and greywater should be used in and around buildings to help cool the environment and maintain green, livable surroundings. Additionally, black water (wastewater) can be used to generate energy, recover raw materials, and contribute to the local water system.
Like in Belgium, it is entirely feasible to reduce daily water use to less than 100 litres per person. Doing so would enable the realization of not just 900,000 but up to 1.5 million additional homes—within the limits of the existing drinking water infrastructure.
Objectives of the Expert Group
To accelerate the adoption of technologies that enable water reuse within the home and the use of rainwater, with the aim of reducing per capita drinking water consumption and lowering energy use in and around the built environment.
Expert Group Members
Chairs:
- Hydraloop Systems – Arthur Valkieser
- Mijn Waterfabriek – Johan Bel
Projectmanager:
- Janette van de Scheur
Other members:
- AkaNova
- Aqua-Aero WaterSystems – AAWS
- biocompact
- Bluecon
- BlueNorth Partners
- Blue Innovations
- Cenergist B.V.
- Colubris Cleantech B.V.
- D2D Water Solutions
- DeSaH
- Ecologisch Water Beheer B.V.
- FEALTER B.V.
- FieldFactors
- GEP Watermanagement B.V.
- Hydraloop Systems B.V.
- JustNimbus
- Konkaav Innovation & Consultancy
- Lutra Milieusystemen BV
- microLAN B.V.
- Nijhuis Water Technology
- NX Filtration
- Qua-Vac
- Raintanks
- Sweco Nederland
- Upfall BV
- Van Remmen UV Techniek B.V.
- Waterimpuls B.V.
- Water Wall
SDGs as a Guiding Framework
Our ambition is to keep our living environment healthy and livable, while mitigating and managing the effects of climate change. By applying the right technologies, we aim to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Would You Like to Contribute to Our Expert Group?
Does your company offer innovations or solutions that help us manage our scarce water resources more effectively? Share them with us – we are committed to driving change and turning ideas into action.
Interested in Joining Our Expert Groups?
Do you have the ambition to drive innovation in water and environmental technology? Are you eager to tackle societal challenges or share your expertise with fellow members? We are always open to welcoming passionate companies that want to help strengthen and enrich our network.