Seven pilot sites in Europe will test the drinking water supply of the future. In the just approved project NEW WATER, drinking water companies, knowledge institutions and companies in Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands will demonstrate how wastewater, rainwater and heavily polluted surface water can be turned into safe drinking water. This is necessary because traditional drinking water sources are increasingly failing in summer. “A reliable supply of high-quality drinking water is already one of the key challenges in many countries around the world.”, says Marco Angilella (HS Trier).
Within NEW WATER, Water Alliance plays an active role in connecting water technology companies, drinking water utilities and knowledge institutions. Through our international network, we help drive the development, application and visibility of innovative solutions for the safe and sustainable use of alternative water sources. By supporting training activities, linking companies to new opportunities and contributing to the scaling up and dissemination of project results, we strengthen collaboration within NEW WATER. In this way, we work together on future-proof drinking water solutions for North-West Europe.
The European grant program Interreg Northwest Europe allocated about 4 million euros for NEW WATER on 19 November. Drinking water companies such as Dunea (Netherlands) and De Watergroep (Belgium), companies in Flanders and the Netherlands and regional governments and knowledge institutions from France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands will explore how to produce pure and affordable drinking water from alternative sources. Climate change means that in many regions there will soon not be enough water coming out of the tap if we continue to use only groundwater and surface water for it.
At pilot sites in Tienen, Dendermonde, The Hague, Almelo, Enschede, Trier and Loudéac, NEW WATER will purify wastewater from a sugar refinery, a biomass digester and food companies, in addition to polluted surface water, rainwater and domestic wastewater. Once scaled up, the project will ensure drinking water supplies for tens of thousands of people.
NEW WATER’s partners will also develop training for drinking water operators and authorities
Questions? Curious about the possibilities? Get in touch with Rixt: r.sinnema@wateralliance.nl
