The operational tasks of Water Alliance are carried out by a small, agile team led by the director/manager, who reports to the Supervisory Board. The members of the Supervisory Board include executives from regional government, knowledge institutions, and the Dutch water technology sector. We work closely with stakeholders from both government and industry, as well as with northern, regional, and national authorities. Additionally, a large number of involved parties are united within our network.
Supervisory Board
Walter van der Meer (chairman), chairman of the TKI Water Technology board and former director of drinking water company Oasen
Throughout his career, Van der Meer has maintained a strong focus on water, innovation, and membrane technology. In 1992, he started as a process technologist at Waterleiding Friesland, now part of Vitens. He later became the CEO of Oasen, a drinking water company, where he led innovative water solutions for many years. In addition to his industry work, he has been actively involved in academia. He was a professor at both TU Delft and the University of Twente, where he remains actively engaged.
Johannes Boonstra, Executive Board Member Wetsus
After his graduation as an environmental technologist in 1992, Johannes Boonstra joined Paques BV, a Dutch company specialized in biotechnological water and gas treatment. In 2003 Boonstra was appointed member of the executive board of Wetsus, European centre of excellence for sustainable water technology. Here, more than 100 companies and 22 universities closely cooperate in the development of breakthrough innovations for sustainable water processing and availability. Further, Boonstra is one of the driving forces behind the development of and the cooperation on WaterCampus Leeuwarden.
Erwin Dirkse, Entrepreneur & Investor
Dirkse has been active in the environmental technology sector for over three decades. An experienced and passionate entrepreneur with a proven track record in developing strong, internationally operating companies in the fields of wastewater treatment, biogas upgrading, and (bio)gas desulfurization.
Abel Reitsma, alderman of the municipality of Leeuwarden
Abel Reitsma is a dedicated public official with a passion for sustainability, innovation, and regional development. Since taking office as alderman of Leeuwarden, he has been committed to urban development, economic growth, and sustainable infrastructure. With a background in governance and policy, he has extensive experience in connecting government, businesses, and education to drive innovative solutions. He plays a key role in projects related to water technology and the circular economy, further strengthening Leeuwarden’s position as the European Capital of Water Technology.
Sigrid Scherrenberg, Research & Development manager at Royal HaskoningDHV
Scherrenberg is Research & Development Manager at Royal HaskoningDHV, where she focuses on developing innovative and sustainable water treatment technologies. With nearly 15 years of experience in the water treatment industry, Scherrenberg and her team work on resource recovery and advanced wastewater treatment. Scherrenberg holds a PhD from TU Delft, specializing in enhanced phosphorus removal. Additionally, she is a lecturer at Wateropleidingen.
Johan Langius, CEO at Noardling
Johan Langius has been CEO of Noardling since 2023, a company that includes the brands Landustrie, Desah, and Hubert. With a strong background in the manufacturing industry, Langius has built his career across various sectors, from air filtration and the energy transition to electric mobility. Now, at Noardling, he is focused on driving innovation and expanding international opportunities in wastewater treatment and water technology.