In a world increasingly affected by water scarcity, partly due to clima change, efficient water management is becoming more and more important. As experts in the field of water management, we have a duty to develop innovative solutions for the future taht ar both economically and ecologically sustainable and that never compromise on hygiene safety. Solutions already exist today that can better balance the demand for water quantity and quality in industry or in buildings.
The reuse of water offers enormous potential for reducing drinking water consumption. By using advanced treatment technologies, we can reuse process or industrial watter multiple times, even closing process and industrial water cycles, thereby significantly reducing overall water consumption. This not only leads to cost savings, but also significantly reduces the strain on local water resources.
There are a variety of options available for this purpose, which can be used depending on the area of application and local conditions. Rainwater collected from roof surfaces or other suitable surfaces offers a wide range of possible uses. Greywater, a partial stream of domestic wastewater without partial streams from toilets and urinals, sometimes differentiated into heavily and lightly contaminated, as a resource for water and energy reuse, for example from sinks, showers or washing machines, can also be reused after appropriate treatment. Surface water from rivers, lakes or artificial ponds is another option, provided it is of the required quality for the respective application.
We are committed to safe and sustainable technology in the field of water reuse for our shared future.
NEW WATER Unlocking NEW WATER sources to ensure climate proof drinking water supply in North-West Europe
Project duration: 19 November 2025 – June 2029 (43 months)
Budget: 6.650.266 euro - ERDF fund: 3.990.159,30€
Summary
Climate change puts pressure on the availability of our current drinking water sources. Unlocking new and sustainable drinkable water sources for households and industry is fundamental for climate resilience. NEW WATER addresses this challenge. Partners in Belgium, The Netherlands, France and Germany are joining forces to unlock 3 alternative sources: wastewater, rainwater and polluted surface water.
7 NEW WATER pilot locations
The NEW WATER consortium will deploy both centralised and decentralised pilot installations. These will generate valuable insights into technological, regulatory, and communication aspects (social acceptance), as well as financial and organisational considerations related to viable business cases.
- Large scale centralised drinking water production
- Belgium – De Watergroep & Raffinerie Tirlemontoise (RT)
Source: wastewater from sugar beet processing - The Netherlands – Dunea
Source: polluted surface water - France – Loudéac Communauté Bretagne Centre
Source: wastewater from food industry
- Belgium – De Watergroep & Raffinerie Tirlemontoise (RT)
- Decentralised drinking water production
- The Netherlands – NX Filtration
Source: municipal wastewater - The Netherlands – Saxion & Intewa
Source: rainwater - Germany – Trier University of Applied Sciences
Source: greywater from student dorms - Belgium – United compost companies (VERKO)
Source: digestate from a composting installation
- The Netherlands – NX Filtration
Outputs Unlocking Alternative Sources For Drinking Water Supply
The NEW WATER project and its outputs will guide and accelerate the transition towards more alternative sources for drinking water supply by providing practical support for implementation. A comprehensive implementation handbook will help producers and decision-makers across North-West Europe tackle legislative impediments, technological challenges, economic feasibility, safety demands, carbon footprint and social acceptance.
To foster public trust, a targeted communication campaign and supporting materials will be developed to build citizen acceptance of these new water sources.
The uptake of the handbook will be further strengthened through dedicated training schemes for drinking water producers, companies with substantial wastewater streams and/or high drinkable needs and for policy makers (drinking water authorities, public health authorities, local and regional authorities deciding on policies and permits).
In addition, a matchmaking and coaching programme will connect water owners with technology providers, encouraging practical implementation and scaling of solutions.
By the end of the project, three alternative water sources: wastewater, rainwater, and polluted surface water will be successfully implemented by pioneering drinking water producers in France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.
Through the adoption of the implementation handbook and related activities, the availability of drinking water in North-West Europe will start to increase. This will enhance resilience to climate change, ensuring a more sustainable and reliable water supply for both citizens and industry, even during periods of extreme drought.
16 Partners
Provincie Vlaams-Brabant (BE) (Lead Partner)
Provinciale Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij Vlaams-Brabant (BE)
De Watergroep (BE)
Raffinerie Tirlemontoise (RT) (BE)
Dunea (NL)
Loudéac Communauté Bretagne Centre (FR)
Verenigde kompostbedrijven (BE)
NX Filtration BV (NL)
Stichting Saxion (NL)
Hochschule Trier (DE)
KU Leuven (BE)
DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (DE)
Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij Oost-Nederland NV (NL)
Water Alliance (NL)
figawa e.V. (DE)
Vlaams Instituut voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO) (BE)
For further information visit Home | NEW WATER.
Contact:
Sarah Doumen, project manager
Tel: +32 478 20 40 33
sarah.doumen@pomvlaamsbrabant.be
Michael Reinders
Referent figawa e.V.
Tel: +49 221 270799-03
E-Mail: reinders@figawa.de
