Improving water quality in Eastern Netherlands
Vechtstromen Water Authority is working intensively to meet European Commission’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) which requires all member states to meet the WFD target of achieving ‘’good’’ water quality by the end of 2027. In a recent LinkedIn post the chair of the Vechtstromen Water Authority, Stefan Kuks, announced that efforts are focused on implementing technical measures at eight wastewater treatment plants to improve water quality with an investment of 175 million euros. Another 65 million euros will be invested in the restoration and improvement of streams, both of which will contribute to the regional economy.
In undertaking these actions, the Water Authority is also taking the requirements of the European Urban Waste Water Directive into account. Water quality challenges, which are exacerbated by climate change, include pharmaceutical residues, PFAS and other new substances, microplastics, and nitrogen and phosphorous.
The Vechtstromen Water Authority, responsible for the Vechte, Regge and Dinkel watersheds in the eastern Netherlands, is active in or supporting a range of research and other initiatives concerned with flood, drought and water quality management. Scientific institutes such as the UTwente and Saxion University of Applied Sciences as well as numerous SMEs in the region that specialize in water technology contribute their expertise and techniques.
In collaboration with the Dutch Water Tech sector Vechtstromen is experimenting with data-driven control and 'smart sensoring' at their treatment plants in order to meet higher requirements for water quality. At an innovative water treatment plant in Emmen, the 'Ultimate Water Factory' is an experiment in treatment together with other water authorities, drinking water companies, the Foundation for Applied Water Management (STOWA) and KWR Water Research Institute.
Source: Based on a Post on LinkedIn by Stefan Kuks, Chair of the Vechtstromen Water Authority (accessed 29 November 2024)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
The UT is involved in a number of applied research projects with the Vechtstromen Water Authority and other partners including:
- Sponge Works: Co-creating and upscaling Sponge Landscapes by working with Natural Water Retention and Sustainable Management
- Game-based approaches for drought resilience in the Eastern Netherlands – a valuing water perspective
- Drought Strategies in Water Management: Developing a drought management approach for transboundary Vechte basin with a focus on governance, resilience assessment, impact assessment, scenarios and pathways (Led by Vechtstromen)