ReWaterHub: Locally making safe and drinkable water from wastewater using a membrane bioreactor and reverse osmosis
- Duration: 2026-2029
- Funding: TKI Watertechnology (PPS allowance 2025 and 2026), see also the project page on their website
- Project partners:
- Knowledge partners: University of Twente, EMI Twente
- Technology suppliers: Jotem Water Solutions, OptiSenseData, Your Filter Factory
- End users: Ministry of Defence, Vitens, Vechtstromen Water Authority
- TKI Watertechnology innovation themes
- Ensuring clean and safe water
- Reuse of water and raw materials
Why this project?
With summers getting dryer and climate scenarios predicting more frequent droughts and floods, water boards and drinking water companies are actively looking for solutions to maintain good groundwater balances, prevent (drinking) water shortages, and find alternative sources for drinking water production.
One promising alternative source for producing drinking water is treated wastewater. Small systems that locally can clean and purify wastewater create additional opportunities for closing the water cycle.
What is the objective?
The main objective of the ReWaterHub project is to investigate and demonstrate that it is possible to reliably produce drinkable water from wastewater by a decentralized small-scale membrane-based process.
What is the process?
The process will consist of a BluElephant, a small-scale wastewater treatment system, an active coal filter, a reverse osmosis installation in which all remaining contaminants are removed, a remineralization unit, and after storage, an ultrafiltration disinfection membrane filter. Novel UV-VIS and BACTmini sensors will be integrated in the process to safeguard the water quality. The water quality will be validated externally by a certified drinking water laboratory to ensure compliance.
What does the project entail?
After realization of the ReWaterHub process near the Waterlab at the campus of the University of Twente, long-term operation of the process under different conditions to demonstrate its feasibility for producing drinkable water. An EngD student will model the process, determine the optimal design and perform a techno-economic evaluation.
What will be the impact?
Such integrated processes not only can contribute to solving previously mentioned water management and supply challenges, but also can be used at or in campsites, marinas, festivals, refugee and military camps, future urban areas etc. The project also can contribute to the legal and social acceptance of recycled water.
