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Water Alliance magazine

#3, 2023

SOWING SEEDS IN THE USA TERRACRAWLER TAKES ON BACTERIA FORT ISLAND PAMPUS GOES OFF-GRID

con tents

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WATTER ULTIMATELY,NO ONE CAN BE AGAINST SUSTAINABILITY’

WaterProof is the magazine of the Water Alliance, a partnership between government, research institutions and industry in the field of innovative and sustainable water technology. From its base, the WaterCampus in Leeuwarden, the Water Alliance builds on the ‘water technology innovation chain’; a process whereby new ideas from universities, laboratories and test sites are converted into worldwide marketable products. WaterProof provides regional, national and global information on developments, results and background in the field of water technology.

SOWING SEEDS IN THE USA GOVERNOR BEVERLEY FERRARA OF WISCONSIN SIGNS AGREEMENT AT WATERCAMPUS

HISTORIC HERITAGE BECOMES A CIRCULAR ISLAND

CIRCINWATER

WaterProof magazine #03, 2023

GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE WATER SOLUTIONS

Cover Photo Dave Hoefler | Unsplash Editor Nynke Kramer Editor in Chief/ Journal Management Menno Bakker

Narvic Media | narvic.nl Translation

ROYAL HASKONINGDHV ‘WE CAN INVEST A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR PROFITS IN INNOVATION’

Graphic Design

NEDAP’S OLGA KRUIDHOF:

janrobert@minkgraphics.nl

‘THE DEMAND FOR THE UV SOLUTION IS ONLY INCREASING’

Lucas Kemper and many others

Photography Text Henk Dilling and many others Printer Drukkerij Van der Eems

TERRACRAWLER TAKES ON CYANOBACTERIA

and... 3 4 10 20 21 30

Presence Translate & Interact

Column by Hein Molenkamp Short Cuts Dean Amhaus interview The Water Technology Innovation Chain What’s on WaterProof TV? Water Alliance Members

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column by Hein Molenkamp

Time waits for no one You are reading WaterProof November, the last edition for 2023. It has been an eventful year, with global refugee crises, wars and more. On top of all that, global warming is continuing at full speed. It is enough to make a person feel depressed. I’m not going to claim that things might not be so bad or that rain is always followed by sunshine, but I must confess that I do feel optimism. I see developments that, while seemingly modest, could potentially have a huge impact, like humanity’s tireless ability to keep thinking about how things can be done differently—be done better. The water technology sector is brilliant proof of this; innovations enabling smarter and more efficient water use are emerging every week. There is a clear acceleration in these developments. Under pressure, apparently, many things become liquid. Innovators are working in laboratories, with computers and at test sites like our demo sites to develop innovations that may seem like science fiction today but will shape our daily lives and offer solutions to existing problems tomorrow. The big question is: how do you test and scale up all those clever and sometimes genius inventions in a timely manner? Likewise, how do you get them into international markets faster? We are working on that with our members and partners at Water Alliance. We do so daily with a growing team of dedicated professionals. Since our merger with the Dutch water technology trade association (formerly ENVAQUA) at the beginning of this year, we can internally share more knowledge than ever through our expert groups. With over 210 members, we represent a force of innovation, serving anyone who wants it anywhere in the world. There is a popular aphorism in Friesland, where our physical headquarters is located at WaterCampus. In Frisian (the second language of the Netherlands), it reads: De tiid hâldt gjin skoft. Time waits for no one. It is a cute bit of folklore, but it is also more than that. Now, more than ever, we must realize that time will not wait for us. Scientists, governments and entrepreneurs must work together on the one thing that is so desperately needed: acceleration.

Hein Molenkamp Managing Director, Water Alliance

Photo: Marcel J. de Jong

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SHORT CUTS NEWSFROMAROUNDTHE WORLDOFWATERTECHNOLOGY

COMING UP: THE 2024 WIS AWARD!

WIN 10.000,- WORTH OF MARKETINGSUPPORT WITH YOUR INNOVATION! A Dutch water technology innovation award may not be all that exciting to readers outside the Netherlands, but the significance of the WIS Award, coming up again in early 2024, cannot be overstated. Previous winners, such as Wafilin Systems, Hydraloop, Samotics and Ferr-Tech, quickly gained international prominence after winning the award. The competition is held every two years, which means another winner will be selected in 2024. If you run a Dutch water technology company with a great innovation, scan this code, read the terms and conditions and take a big step toward greatly accelerating your business!

visit wisaward.nl

HOLLAND WATER ACQUIRES AQUASERVICE NEDERLAND

Pictured from left to right: Rogier van den Brink, CEO of Holland Water, Jeroen Roosien, COO of Holland Water, Rob van Henten, Managing Director of Aquaservice Nederland, Gert-Jan Gast, Financial Manager at Aquaservice Nederland, Pim de Joode, Partner at Ox Greenfield

Holland Water, a specialist in legionellacontrolling water technology and a member of Water Alliance acquired legionella consulting firm Aquaservice Nederland this summer. The industry partners consolidate legionella control consulting, water plant engineering, sampling and analysis, cleaning and disinfection, thermal management, and physical and electrolytic management techniques under one roof, creating, in their own words, ‘a one-stop shop for certified legionella control services and systems’. Rogier van den Brink, CEO of Holland Water, explains the acquisition: “Holland Water stands for modern drinking water management, in which the building manager can count on a well-considered balance between water safety, sustainability, cost efficiency, and compliance with current laws and regulations. Finding and maintaining that balance is a delicate process that requires seamless coordination between legionella control activities. With the acquisition of Aquaservice Nederland, Holland Water has taken another big step in uniting those essential control activities.”

Rob van Henten, former owner and co-seller of Aquaservice Nederland, has joined Holland Water’s management team. “As a subjectmatter expert, you want the best for the customer, and high-quality techniques are essential in the world of legionella control”, he says. In most buildings, the legionella risk can be significantly reduced using a gatekeeper technique based on ultraviolet light or ultrafiltration. In contrast, the copper and silver ionization treatment technique offers a solution for water systems with chronic legionella problems. Techniques can also help increase the sustainability of legionella control, as the effective use of a control technique allows the reduction of hot water temperatures and pipes require less intensive flushing.” Holland Water has been proving its lofty ambitions for years. In 2020, investment firm OX Greenfield acquired a stake in the company, giving the organization additional power to further shape its growth ambitions.

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SHORT CUTS NEWSFROMAROUNDTHE WORLDOFWATERTECHNOLOGY

THE NETHERLANDS HAS A NEW WATER ENVOY

WINNER OF THE 2022 WIS AWARD: FERR-TECH!

Award winning substance: Ferrate(VI)

This photo includes former water envoy Henk Ovink (left) and new water envoy Meike van Ginneken (second from the left). Together, they attended the presentation on Wavemarkers, one of the 832 UN water action agenda initiatives that aim to properly educate young people about water. Photo: Jac van Tuijn

On 1 August 2023, Meike van Ginneken succeeded Henk Ovink as ‘Special Envoy for Water’ and ‘Programme Director for Climate Adaptation and Water International at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management’. She will interpret the need for innovative water solutions and the international Dutch water ambitions worldwide in the coming years, primarily for the Dutch government. Van Ginniken is an internationally renowned water expert with 25 years of experience in policy and financing for water, climate, energy and food. She worked for the World Bank from 2002 to 2017 as Energy Sector Manager

for West and Central Africa from 2012 and as Water Practice Manager for South Asia from 2016. She was Chair of the Board of SNV Nederlandse Ontwikkelingsorganisatie and was the UN Assistant Secretary General for Strategy & Knowledge at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). “Water and climate are transboundary challenges. The Netherlands is a driver of putting water on the international agenda and sharing water knowledge”, the new envoy says. “I look forward to contributing to that as a water envoy, along with an expert team.”

A flashback to recent history: water technology company FerrTech won the WIS Award in 2022. Based in Meppel and a member of Water Alliance, the company won the award with its innovative product, Ferrate(VI). Ferrate(VI) has been known worldwide for decades as the strongest oxidant for treating industrial wastewater. Unlike chemicals commonly used for water treatment, Ferrate(VI) is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Until now, it was impossible to produce shelf-stable Ferrate(VI), but Ferr-Tech has developed a process that stabilizes Ferrate(VI) for industrial use. Ferrate(VI) makes industrial processes more sustainable, energy-efficient and circular. “Our goal is to become the Tesla of wastewater treatment”, co-owner Judith le Fèvre said upon winning the award. The company is well on its way to achieving that ambition.

visit ferr-tech.com

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report

BEVERLEY FERRARA ‘WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, WE CAN HELP COMPANIES GET A REALLY GOOD START IN THE MARKET’ SOWING SEEDS IN THE USA

An extraordinary agreement was signed at WaterCampus Leeuwarden on Thursday, 14 September 2023. The ceremony was attended by a delegation that included Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin (U.S.) and several representatives of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Beverley Ferrara, European Representative of The Water Council in Milwaukee, was also present. She and Hein Molenkamp signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), agreeing to strengthen and expand the cooperation that has existed for years.

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The delegation was received by Harro Brons and Hein Molenkamp of Water Alliance. Friso Douwstra, a member of the provincial executive of Fryslân, and Abel Reitsma, alderman of the municipality of Leeuwarden, were also in attendance. After a tour and lunch, during which ideas were exchanged, Beverley Ferrara and Hein Molenkamp signed the MoU. Harro Brons, Business Development Manager at Water Alliance: “We are both cluster organizations. Cooperation between these clusters leads to exports because Dutch companies can bring their innovations to the American market much faster. Companies like Samotics, PB International, Hydraloop, Acquaint, Berghof, Ferr-Tech and many others are already taking full advantage of this and doing business in the U.S. Vice versa, American companies are gaining a faster foothold in the Netherlands. For that reason, Aquacycl, from San Diego, recently opened a European branch in the WaterCampus Business Centre.”

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Beverley Ferrara has known WaterCampus and the Water Alliance for some time. As a representative of The Water Council, Ferrara helps European water technology companies gain a foothold in the U.S. She is a strong advocate of international partnerships. “Like the Water Alliance, we want to help our member companies enter international markets . This is possible thanks to hubs like the Water Alliance and ours. With our international partnerships, we can help companies get a really good start in the market.”

Beverley Ferrara (left) and Hein Molenkamp sign the MoU. Photos: Lucas Kemper

Since the inception of the Water Alliance thirteen years ago, ties with the U.S. water technology sector have grown considerably, resulting in several Dutch companies now operating there. Conversely, American companies are also beginning to find WaterCampus as a base for their European operations. WaterCampus Leeuwarden’s international reputation as an ‘innovation ecosystem’ has grown due to all these activities, and international political leaders are increasingly taking the time to find out how we have managed that in Leeuwarden.

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TONY EVERS ‘I WAS ESPECIALLY IMPRESSED BY THE EMPHASIS ON COLLABORATION AND CONNECTING THE DOTS’ WISCONSIN

“I was grateful for the opportunity to visit The WaterCampus and learn about its work to find innovative and sustainable solutions for the water challenges faced by communities across the world”, said Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin (USA). “I was especially impressed by their emphasis on collaboration and connecting the dots across local governments, businesses, education systems, and researchers to advance efforts to protect our water resources. Together, we can find long-lasting, sustainable water solutions, and I welcome continued collaboration between Wisconsin and entities in the Netherlands and beyond.” Missy Hughes, CEO of the WEDC, was also impressed with the collaboration at WaterCampus between business, education and government on solving societal problems. “It’s an approach we also promote in Wisconsin. You

can achieve a lot together.” She said learning about water technology challenges from different perspectives was enriching. “We will take those insights to Wisconsin.” She hopes for further collaboration between innovative Dutch companies and Wisconsin companies. “We have some amazing companies, but they sometimes struggle to innovate. It would be great to combine the innovation of Dutch water technology with the traditional manufacturing experience in Wisconsin.” Friso Douwstra was pleased to hear it. “It was a very interesting meeting”, Douwstra said. “We enjoyed discussing cooperation between the Frisian water-tech sector and Wisconsin’s. Greening and commitment to renewable energy are at the top of the agenda for both of us. Today, we demonstrated the added value WaterCampus offers

in this regard and how far along we are with our innovations in water technology. Developments are moving at a tremendous speed; they were impressed by that. This offers excellent opportunities for Fryslân to expand cooperation in the coming years. Together, we can innovate faster and make strides toward a circular economy.” Douwstra recalled that Friesland does not officially have a university but that the Water Campus has filled the gap. Leeuwarden alderman Abel Reitsma agreed: “Scientific research is incredibly important, and Wetsus has brought that to Leeuwarden. But we are also doing more here, ensuring that water education is available at all levels. You can see what that does to a city. When I cycle through the city now, seeing all these students from various countries and levels makes me happy. We once started by installing signs at the approach roads, calling

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from left to right: Hein Molenkamp, Friso Douwstra, Tony Evers, Abel Reitsma, Johannes Boonstra and Harro Brons.

Leeuwarden the ‘Capital of Water Technology’; we have now really become it.”

SOWING SEEDS

Hein Molenkamp, Director of the Water Alliance, couldn’t help but be pleased. After all, his organization has been helping Dutch water technology companies bring innovations to international markets faster for over 13 years. The market in the U.S., a country with relatively high water consumption, is high on the priority list. “As the Water Alliance, we have been sowing seeds for more than 13 years. We attend trade shows all over the world with Dutch companies. Perhaps more importantly, in the background, we are building an international network with other clusters—WaterAlliance-like organizations doing the same thing in other parts of the world with their companies.” Harro Brons:

“That network is a tremendous help in matchmaking, which we are busy with internationally. It also helps that WaterCampus offers such a unique innovation ecosystem, which gives us a strong position in many parts of the world. With their water sector knowledge, clusters help companies with the various questions they encounter when entering a new market. As a cluster, we can advise them on markets, laws and regulations; we can also connect them with partners, production companies, projects or launching customers who are open to testing an innovation on a real scale. We are also assisted by parties like the NOM [Noordelijke Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij, ed.], which increases the available knowledge and network. The results speak for themselves: our ties in the U.S. have led to business opportunities

in America for several Dutch water technology companies.”

DYNAMICS

“You can see that the approach works, even in the U.S., where Water Alliance members like Hydraloop and FerrTech are already doing good business. The Wisconsin delegation also cited them as excellent examples. At the same time, the interest of foreign companies in the WaterCampus is also increasing”, says Hein Molenkamp. “Last year, Australian company Clean TeQ Water opened a branch at WaterCampus; this year, as Harro mentioned, American company AquaCycl opened their European office with us. Those dynamics are good for the water sector and buyers and suppliers, such as metal companies, of which there are several in Friesland.”

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inter view

DEAN AMHAUS ‘WE MUST FIND WAYS TO ACCELERATE THE PACE OF INNOVATION’ HOW TO ENTER THE US-MARKET?

The concept of the American dream is undoubtedly often romanticized, but the fact remains that the US is a country with unprecedented potential, also when it comes to water technology. Many entrepreneurs still dream of making it in that immense country. The question for European water tech companies is of course: how do you enter the American market as quickly and easily as possible? And what in what way can cluster organizations like Water Alliance and The American Water Council support companies with these ambitions? Seven questions for Dean Amhaus, the CEO of The Water Council.

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‘CREATING A RIPE MARKET FOR GROWING COMPANIES’

Dean Amhaus, why is the US market interesting for European water tech companies? ‘The U.S. faces a host of water challenges across its various climate regions, from dwindling groundwater resources to PFAS contamination to sewer overflows. We are always looking for new water technology. We have also recently seen an influx of federal funding for water infrastructure, creating a ripe market for growing companies.’ What exactly does the Water Council do to support these companies? ‘We provide a host of services to support our overseas members, including regular meetings and tailored matchmaking with our 120 U.S. and overseas members. We have helped several overseas companies establish themselves in the U.S. market and even brokered partnerships between European and U.S. members. Our European representative, Beverley Ferrara, is based in Northern Ireland and well positioned to support these companies. Our innovation programs are also open for global applications.’ What facilities do you offer? ‘We operate out of the Global Water Center, the heart of Milwaukee’s world-class water technology hub. The building has available space ranging from desks in our co-working space, Oasis, to multi-person offices. The Oasis has served as a launching pad for companies worldwide looking to grow in North America.’ How do you collaborate with the Water Alliance? ‘The main way we collaborate is by helping Dutch companies explore opportunities in the U.S. market and vice versa. These opportunities include establishing business operations in the U.S. or the Netherlands and connecting technology solutions to potential customers such as utilities and large corporations.’ Can you give an example of a concrete result of this collaboration? ‘Dutch company Hydraloop became a member of The Water Council after an introduction by the Water Alliance. It established its first U.S. office in the Global Water Center, helping it gain a growing foothold in the U.S.

In the other direction, we have helped a member of ours, Rapid Radicals Technology, explore the European market. This year, company founder Paige Peters moved to Amsterdam to establish the company in the Dutch market with support from the Water Alliance.’ How are the activities you undertake a small but important puzzle piece in solving global water problems? ‘At The Water Council, we emphasize water technology and water stewardship. We believe every technology we support through programs such as our accelerator, tech challenge and pilot program brings us closer to solving global water challenges. We also work with companies worldwide to help them improve their water stewardship. We are making a difference company by company and watershed by watershed.’ What do you see as the biggest barrier you have to overcome in your work? ‘The biggest barrier is the slow pace of innovation and adaptation. We see groundbreaking technologies come through our organization, but it can take many years to establish those companies, find the right investors and prove the technologies work on a large scale. Organizations are rightfully careful when it comes to treating drinking water and wastewater, but we must find ways to accelerate the pace of innovation to address water challenges that are only becoming more dire.’

WATCH ‘HOW TO ENTER THE US MARKET’ ON WATERPROOF TV

OR VISIT THEWATERCOUNCIL.COM

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CIRCINWATER GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE WATER SOLUTIONS

RIXT SINNEMA ‘THIS SUPPORT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR MANY COMPANIES’ Innovative water technology companies often have a long way to go to move from idea to market—ideas the world may desperately need. Reason enough for Water Alliance to help those companies accelerate the process. Distinctive advantage: as a European Water Technology Hub, the Water Alliance is close to all European sources of knowledge and funding. A great example is the CircInWater project launched in 2022. Water Alliance project managers Rixt Sinnema (RS) and Stefan Bergsma (SB) explain. What exactly is CircInWater? RS: “Our CircInWater project offers financial support to European SMEs in agrifood and energy-intensive sectors. SMEs can apply for three types of financial support: innovation, knowledge and external expertise, and internationalization. This support has been made available for the further development of water solutions within the agrifood and energy-intensive sectors such as pulp & paper, mining, steel, and chemicals.” What amounts are we talking about? SB: “Companies could receive 60,000

Where does the money come from? RS: “CircInWater is a European-funded project that will run for 36 months (2022–2025). We are executing the project in cooperation with other European cluster and network organizations”. [see info box, ed.]

water technology companies? SB: “The financial support is 100% funded: up to 60,000 euros for innovation support, 4,000 euros for knowledge support and 2,000 for internationalization support. The funding or support is specifically aimed at companies developing water solutions. The project is funded entirely by the EU; this is not a loan. The scheme is open until 2 October 2024 or until the budget is used up, so it’s a good idea for companies to keep an eye on this.”

Why is this a great opportunity for

RS: “This support will make it easier

euros (100% funded) to scale up or demonstrate their innovative water solutions. SMEs could also apply for 2,000–4,000 euros for hiring knowledge and expertise to grow their business.

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STEFAN BERGSMA ‘GREAT CARE IS TAKEN TO BALANCE THAT COMMUNITY MONEY’

Photos: Lucas Kemper

CIRCINWATER: SUPPORT FOR EUROPEAN SMES WORKING IN AGRIFOOD AND ENERGY-INTENSIVE SECTORS. THE

for many companies to fund a pilot or scale-up. You can also hire external marketing or business development knowledge, even internationally. If you also want to grow your business in the US or Canada, this project can reimburse some of your travel and accommodation expenses there.” To clarify, why is this good for the world? RS: This project helps accelerate innovations, and those innovations may be projects that reuse resources and save water and energy. What is most inspiring to you about this project? RS: “It’s inspiring that we can offer water-tech companies something concrete. This puts the more than two hundred members of the Water Alliance on the front lines; their

membership can directly impact such projects.” SB: “I also like that great care is taken to balance that community money. Of the more than 1.4 million euros, for example, more than 1 million euros is earmarked to go directly to SMEs, and specifically water-tech. This makes it very beneficial for the industry.”

PROJECT IS EXECUTED BY:

Lastly, what is your message to our readers? RS: “We are opening another call for internationalization support in 2024. This is financial support for SMEs that want to internationalize towards the US and Canada. So, there is another great opportunity on the way. For more information, follow CircInWater on LinkedIn; we will also announce when it is open and what the terms are on our socials.

WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF

• WATER ALLIANCE (THE NETHERLANDS) • ZINNAE (SPAIN) • BLUE ECONOMY MIKKELI (FINLAND) • WATER CLUSTER FINLAND (FINLAND) • FRANCE WATER TEAM (FRANCE) • CREA HYDRO&ENERGY (CZECHIA) • INNOVATION CENTRE OF THE OLOMOUC REGION (CZECHIA)

PARTICIPATION? • ONLY FOR SMES • MUST OFFER A WATER SOLUTION FOR THE AGRIFOOD SECTOR OR ENERGY-INTENSIVE SECTORS • MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE WATER ALLIANCE OR ANOTHER CLUSTER ORGANIZATION AFFILIATED WITH THE ECCP • AN SME MAY APPLY FOR UP TO 60,000 EUROS

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innovation

NEREDA BOOSTS INNOVATION AT ROYAL HASKONINGDHV ®

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‘WE CAN INVEST A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR PROFITS IN INNOVATION’ Royal HaskoningDHV profiles itself as a consultant and a developer of future-proof technological solutions for cities, transport, industry and water. The combination of thought and action began roughly six decades ago with the invention of the ‘carousel’. Royal HaskoningDHV (then DHV) was a forerunner in Dutch water technology with this new wastewater treatment method. WaterProof spoke about innovation in water technology with Paul Roeleveld, director of business development, and Franc van der Wielen, head of the wastewater department.

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‘THE TECHNOLOGY USES AEROBIC BACTERIA GROWING IN COMPACT PELLETS TO PURIFY SEWAGE’ A MILESTONE

The 2005 commissioning of the first fully functioning industrial wastewater treatment plant based on Royal HaskoningDHV’s Nereda technology was a milestone. The technology uses aerobic bacteria growing in compact pellets to purify sewage. The pellets reduce chemical and energy consumption. The development of the pioneering technology, in cooperation with TU Delft, the Foundation for Applied Research in Water Management (Stowa) and the Dutch water boards, led to the formation of an independent research and development unit. Two decades later, that unit has around 20 professionals largely dedicated to innovation. A current innovation by the company, which has offices in more than 25 countries and 6,000 professionals on its payroll, involves removing drug residue and goes by the cryptic name BO3. The benefit is a low carbon footprint and 50%–75% less energy consumption than conventional oxidation. [You can read more about this innovation in the info box.]

TRANSLATING DRIVE INTO INNOVATION

“Europe demands a lot from our customers”, Roeleveld states. “For example, water treatment plants must purify water even more than they already do. Lower nutrients, lower drug residues, lower microplastics— that’s what we’re talking about.” “At the same time, they have to work toward the lowest possible carbon footprint because the idea is to make the treatment plant climate-neutral”, adds Van der Wielen. “But if you want to remove more, you have to put more energy into it, which means you must work even harder to reduce your carbon footprint.” “These are the kinds of drives we want to translate into innovations”, says Roeleveld. “It helps that we are a foundation and not a publicly traded company or partnership. We can invest a substantial portion of our profits in innovations for the water sector. We call it Enhancing Society Together.”

BROADER PALETTE

The synergy between the biological/ physical process and the ozone treatment results in a more sustainable form of ozonation due to the greatly reduced ozone dose (which reduces the CO2 footprint), according to Van der Wielen. “The combination of multiple degradation processes removes a broader palette of micropollutants. In particular, BO3 technology scores better on CO2 footprint than reference technologies due to the greatly reduced ozone dose. Energy consumption is low because the biological step breaks down micropollutants and organic matter such as nitrite.”

Water Alliance member Royal HaskoningDHV has numerous branches, but its main office is in Amersfoort, the Netherlands.

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BO3 THE BO3 TECHNOLOGY WAS DEVELOPED IN COOPERATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY AT WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY & RESEARCH. VAN DER WIELEN EXPLAINS THAT WITH BO3 TECHNOLOGY, SEWAGE EFFLUENT IS TREATED IN TWO STEPS. THE FIRST STEP IS BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION. UNDER AEROBIC CONDITIONS, ORGANIC MATTER, NITRITE, AND SOME OF THE MICROPOLLUTANTS BIODEGRADE. IN THE SECOND STEP, THE WATER IS OZONIZED, DEGRADING BIO-RECALCITRANT MICROPOLLUTANTS. “THE BIODEGRADATION IN THE FIRST STEP INCREASES THE EFFICACY OF THE SUBSEQUENT OZONATION”, SAYS VAN DER WIELEN. “OZONE WILL REACT LESS WITH ORGANIC MATTER AND NITRITE BECAUSE THOSE SUBSTANCES HAVE ALREADY BEEN REMOVED. OZONE IS ALSO ONLY NEEDED TO OXIDIZE A SMALL SELECTION OF MICROPOLLUTANTS, AS SOME HAVE ALREADY BEEN REMOVED.”

We all know ozone from the ‘hole’ in our earth’s atmosphere.

Royal HaskoningDHV’s Franc van der Wielen (left) and Paul Roeleveld

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Dennis Kooijman and Daniel Escobar worked in the research world for years, developing more clean and autonomous alternatives in the mobility sector. However, they wanted their work to have more impact, so they traded in the road for water. TerraCrawler, based in Eindhoven, offers a solution for preventing cyanobacteria growth, among other things. Daniel Escobar on the left, Dennis Kooijman on the right. Photo: Lisanne van der Veen

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AT THE END OF THE DAY, INNOVATION WITHOUT IMPACT IS NOTHING MORE THAN A GOOD IDEA

TERRACRAWLER TAKES ON CYANOBACTERIA “At the end of the day, innovation without impact is nothing more than a good idea”, says Kooijman. TerraCrawler’s technology serves nature and clearly impacts water quality. Kooijman discusses the origins of their business. “Daniel and I are shareholders in TerraCrawler. After our work in the mobility sector, we helped startups with water-related automation issues and other things. During that period, we regularly received inquiries about dealing with cyanobacteria—a growing problem due to climate change. We started researching it in 2017.”

‘HEALTHY’ WATER GUIDELINES

The Netherlands and other EU countries have stipulated in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) that all bodies of water must provide a good habitat for plants and animals by 2027. The deadline accelerates the demand for healthy water bodies, which are negatively impacted by cyanobacteria. Kooijman: “In a year and a half, we have developed a method to prevent cyanobacteria growth. Cyanobacteria, as the name suggests, are a type of bacterium. A bacterium contains nitrogen and phosphate. You have to remove one of those to inhibit growth. This can be done by putting the cyanobacteria into contact with Phoslock*. This forms the basis of our services. Because phosphate levels rise faster with changing conditions, such as warming in small and mediumsized bodies of water, cyanobacteria are at risk of returning. To avoid that, we found a comprehensive solution with TerraCrawler.”

INTELLIGENT BOATS

The company, which currently has four employees, builds small-scale, autonomous craft that monitor water quality with smart sensors. “If the phosphate level exceeds the threshold, the vessel automatically dispenses an appropriate amount of Phoslock into the water.” Kooijman stresses that it is a means but not an end. It is an effective tool, to be sure, especially compared to intensive and expensive alternatives like dredging or the use of powerful substances like hydrogen peroxide. “You can also use aluminum and iron salts, which requires high precision. If the pH values are off, it will affect the result. Our method is effective, flexible, natural and sustainable.”

FUTURE

With TerraCrawler, Kooijman and associate Daniel Escobar aim to find the right balance between the various aspects of their ambitions with regard to technology and impact in the coming years. Kooijman afsluitend: “In three years, we want to position ourselves as the top Dutch partner in preventing harmful algal blooms. The extensive network of sensors and continuous monitoring at locations where we operate, combined with our data technology, allow us to take more accurate and efficient preventive action. These technological advances enable a greater emphasis on ecological harmony and economic sustainability”, concludes Kooijman.

TERRACRAWLER HAS A SUSTAINABLE AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR MANAGING WATER QUALITY AND PREVENTING THE GROWTH OF CYANOBACTERIA. CYANOBACTERIA GROWS IN LAKES AND PONDS. THESE HARMFUL MICROORGANISMS NEED NUTRIENTS TO GROW AND MULTIPLY. RUNOFF FROM FERTILIZER, WASTE DISCHARGE AND DETERGENTS ARE A FEW SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS FOR HARMFUL ALGAE GROWTH. PHOSPHATE IS AN IMPORTANT NUTRIENT, WHICH IS WHY PHOSPHATE LEVELS IN LAKES AND PONDS MUST BE CAREFULLY MONITORED. TERRACRAWLER OFFERS AUTOMATED MONITORING SOLUTIONS. IF PHOSPHORUS LEVELS ARE TOO HIGH, A SMALL AUTONOMOUS VESSEL DISPENSES THE NON-TOXIC, PHOSPHATE-BINDING MINERAL PHOSLOCK INTO THE WATER. THIS MODIFIED CLAY PRODUCT CONTAINS THE METAL LANTHANUM AND BINDS THE FREE REACTIVE PHOSPHATE IN THE WATER USING THE CLAY. THE VEHICLE ONLY DISPENSES PHOSLOCK WHERE IT IS NEEDED. THIS HELPS PREVENT HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS WITHOUT IMPACTING BIODIVERSITY IN THE LAKE OR POND.

*Phoslock (see info box) is a unique, patented water treatment product that permanently binds excess phosphorus and causes it to settle in an environmentally friendly state.

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The Water Technology Innovation Chain The WaterCampus brings together a complete chain of innovation for water technology, from first idea, research, specialized laboratories, various demo sites, launching customers to commercial international applications by commercial companies. Indeed from knowledge to business. It is driven by the idea that technological development and innovation is needed to develop new markets and create new business opportunities.

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FIBRESECURITY: MONITORING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE

VDH WATER TECHNOLOGY: THE STORY OF CHLORINE ELECTROLYSIS

JOTEM: THE STORY OF THE BLUELEPHANT

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tech talk

WATTER BV’S IN-SITU TECHNOLOGY IS THE FUTURE

WATTER ‘ULTIMATELY, NO ONE CAN BE AGAINST SUSTAINABILITY’ Twin brothers Arjan and Alfred Koop founded Watter BV in 2008. In Tynaarlo in Drenthe, well-situated between Groningen and Assen, eighteen employees work on the ingenious ‘Watter system’, which produces a sustainable disinfectant on site using electricity, salt and water. Co-owner Alfred Koop offers a glimpse inside the business.

The preliminary process of establishing Watter took place abroad. Koop lived in Estonia for five years and found a Russian report on disinfection. Koop: “I read the report and thought it sounded great if it was even half true”, says Koop. “So the vision for our current product was developed abroad. The period leading up to the official establishment in 2008 consisted of prototyping, testing, effectiveness studies and the continuous development of our system.”

INTERNATIONALLY ACTIVE

Fifteen years later, Watter operates in the livestock, crop farming, factory and healthcare industries in nine countries. Although the primary focus is on the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Denmark, there has also been interest from countries outside Europe. “That’s partly because of good word-of-mouth marketing. Burkina Faso will be the 10th country where we will do business. We were recently approached by a large American multinational in the agricultural industry. Our contact had spoken to a Belgian colleague who told them we have the best solution in Europe. I can’t state with certainty that that is the case, but it’s certainly nice to hear.”

EUROPEAN LEGISLATION

Watter’s method is approved for use in the Netherlands by the Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb). “It is very beneficial to our development that the European Chemicals Agency has approved several new active substances for disinfection, including active chlorine from in-situ production, which we work with”, says Koop, referring to the use of hypochlorous acid (HOCI), the active ingredient in their disinfectant.

Photo: Herbert Wiggerman

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CATERING TO SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

Watter’s compliance with European legislation means they can continue to work on great business cases in various countries and industries. They deliver customized solutions with a knowledgeable team that includes salespeople, microbiologists and an in-house technical department. “Our strength lies in our knowledge and experience, with which we add tremendous value. The trend will be that companies are allowed to use fewer and fewer harmful substances such as formalin, alcohol and iodine. The alternative we offer is of great interest to many organizations. Several large parties have already contacted us, and the initial results are highly positive. Our solution caters to companies’ sustainability goals. The same is happening in the water sector, where water reuse requirements are being implemented. Our system is a solution to that as well.”

‘OUR SOLUTION CATERS TO COMPANIES’ SUSTAINABILITY GOALS’

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

Watter is future-proof. Koop wants to move further in the industrial sector. He indicates that process water can also sustainably be kept free of biofilm. An organization’s ecological footprint ties into that, according to Koop. “Our disinfection solutions also contribute to that. We are replacing a substance, but we are also preventing staff from carrying around all kinds of products with classifications and warning symbols on them, which doesn’t feel right. All in all, we are ready for the future and can help many organizations and companies to do the same.”

Watter’s owners Arjan (left) and Alfred Koop WATTER’S SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE ON-SITE PRODUCTION OF A SUSTAINABLE DISINFECTANT. THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN WATTER’S DISINFECTANT IS HYPOCHLOROUS ACID (HOCI). THREE SIMPLE ELEMENTS ARE USED TO PRODUCE THE SUBSTANCE: WATER, SALT AND ELECTRICITY. THE ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER AND SALT PRODUCES A DISINFECTANT EFFECTIVE AGAINST BACTERIA, VIRUSES, FUNGI AND YEASTS. HOCI IS AN ENDOGENOUS SUBSTANCE PRODUCED BY OUR WHITE BLOOD CELLS (NEUTROPHILS) TO FIGHT INFECTIONS. THE DISINFECTANT IS BIODEGRADABLE AND LEAVES NO RESIDUE; IT IS HYPOALLERGENIC, GENTLE ON THE SKIN AND DOES NOT STING. THE LIQUID IS AS EFFECTIVE AS CONVENTIONAL CHLORINE AGENTS (NAOCL) AT A MUCH LOWER DOSAGE, MAKING IT PERFECT FOR DISINFECTION. THE WATTER SYSTEM IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN MOST TRADITIONAL DISINFECTANTS AND IS SAFE FOR HUMANS, ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WATTER SYSTEMS ARE USED FOR DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES FOR ANIMALS, PROCESS WATER IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY AND LEGIONELLA AND BIOFILM CONTROL IN THE MEDICAL SECTOR.

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In the IJmeer, near Amsterdam, lies an extraordinary island. The island, named Pampus, is artificial; it was constructed by the Dutch in 1887 in what was then known as the Zuiderzee. A fort was built on the island as part of Amsterdam’s defensive line. Because it had no connection to the shore, the fort was designed to operate independently for a long time. It had plenty of storage capacity for food and equipment, a drinking water supply and a power plant. Today, Pampus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction. The penchant for self-reliance can still be seen in the organization today: with the help of a slew of companies, they are in the process of making themselves completely circular, starting with the commissioning of a fully circular water system. Three Water Alliance members were directly involved.

WATER TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES EQUIP FORT ISLAND PAMPUS WITH AN OFF-GRID WATER PLANT

HISTORIC HERITAGE BECOMES A CIRCULAR ISLAND Foundation installed a container capable of producing 5 to 10 cubic metres of water per hour. According to Van Remmen—one of the companies involved—it can easily be scaled up to double the capacity. For UNESCO World Heritage Site Pampus, the commissioning was an important event because the island’s own water is being treated again for the first time in 90 years. The facility was inaugurated in June by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers, who, as a former International Space Station ISS resident, understands the importance of learning to take care of yourself in a small, isolated location.

INSPIRATION Fort Island Pampus

Fort Island Pampus’s popularity is increasing among tourists. The island now sees nearly 100,000 visitors a year; like the soldiers of yesteryear, visitors need food and, above all, water. However, there is still no connection to the water grid. Until recently, a boat sailed daily from Pampus to the mainland in Muiden [historic site near Amsterdam, ed.] to collect drinking water. That will no longer be necessary by the end of this year. In June of this year, the Fort Island Pampus

Director Tom van Nouhuys is happy about it, although he understands that achieving the dream of a fully self-sufficient island will take patience. “We all have a responsibility to use our resources differently. Pampus aims to fulfil its responsibility by making the island sustainably self-sufficient in water, food, energy and raw materials. The world needs sustainable design, and the history of Pampus provides a fantastic source of inspiration for this. This is exactly where heritage can make a difference—providing inspiration based on our past. Pampus used to be self-sufficient out of necessity; this time, it is out of conviction.”

GROUNDBREAKING SOLUTIONS

The plant uses water from the IJmeer [formerly Zuiderzee, ed.], which is purified in three steps: slow sand filtration, nanomembrane filtration and a validated UV disinfection system. Four years ago, director Rob Borgerink of Jotem Water Solutions, a member of

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Strong interest in decentralized water treatment

the Water Alliance, set out to find the best source of drinking water for the foundation. “Groundwater was struck off immediately because the groundwater below the island has been salinized, and the soil contains a lot of metals”, Borgerink said during the launch. “Rainwater was also out because it does not yield enough in the summer and is inconsistent in quality. The IJmeer is the most consistent and easy to deal with.” Eventually, a consortium was formed with Jotem water solutions (sand filtration), NX Filtration (nanomembrane filtration) and Van Remmen UV Technology (UV disinfection); their goal was to build a container for Pampus, which would contain the plant. The builtin sand filter ensures a stable water supply from the IJmeer and provides the initial breakdown of organic components and ammonium, among

other things. The nanomembranes remove contaminants and unwanted residues, such as bacteria, viruses and priority substances. Van Remmen’s downstream UV disinfector provides double-barrier disinfection and monitors the system. “We are now going to further optimize the purification process”, said Borgerink. “The container is full of measurement and control equipment that allows us to remotely coordinate the various process steps. We hope to demonstrate within a few seasons that the treatment is highly stable and provides consistent drinking water quality.”

PROUD

Seeing three Water Alliance members join hands like this to provide groundbreaking solutions is incredible. It is not the first time the companies have collaborated, but working on a famous landmark like

Fort Island Pampus is in a different league entirely. Ton van Remmen of the company of the same name is proud of the project. “Clean water is so important and precious”, says the owner of the company from Wijhe [a village just below Zwolle, in the north of the Netherlands, ed.]. “We hope that this project will show the world that the technology is available and that it can be done safely, with continuous safeguarding of water quality. I am

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THE THREE WATER ALLIANCE MEMBERS INVOLVED ARE:

proud that we can work together to provide a wonderful solution: turning water from the IJmeer into potable water. If it is possible on Pampus, it is possible anywhere!” Erik Roesink, founder and CTO of NX Filtration, also feels good about his company’s involvement in the project. “When I heard Madelief’s poem at the launch of this unique and sustainable water plant, I realized more than ever before that the water transition in the Netherlands has finally begun with a real solution and is widely supported”, says the entrepreneur, referring to a poem recited during the launch. “Smart solutions like this—that turn polluting water into drinking water— are desperately needed for the future of the next generation and all of us. I am proud of our contribution to this.”

PIONEERING

The final product the companies have delivered is as high-quality as the drinking water it produces, but as is often the case with pioneering, it is a long and winding road. This is because it still lacks the legally prescribed measurement programme required to officially call it drinking water under Dutch law. However, the prescribed measurement programme required for accreditation is prohibitively expensive for the Pampus Fort Island Foundation. “The plant will now purify IJmeer water for several seasons to demonstrate that it can provide stable drinking water quality”, said Pampus director Tom van Nouhuys. “We hope and expect this will provide sufficient evidence and enable us to obtain the legal designation of drinking water.” The director and his team have big plans to further develop the 400-yearold island near Amsterdam as an attraction for visitors and businesses. In doing so, the foundation aims to become self-sufficient in terms of food, energy and water. Van Nouhuys: “This endeavor fits into the fort’s history, which used to be self-sufficient to be able to survive a siege for a long time. Pampus aims to restore the ‘island mindset’ and become a figurehead for the circular economy. This includes the 300 m2 vegetable garden and the addition of the new in-house drinking water system. A renewable energy system will follow later this year.”

‘IF IT IS POSSIBLE ON PAMPUS, IT IS POSSIBLE ANYWHERE!’

Dutch astronaut André Kuipers (left) and Erik Roesink.

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‘THE WATER TRANSITION IN THE NETHERLANDS HAS FINALLY BEGUN WITH A REAL SOLUTION’

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innovation

NEDAP TECHNOLOGY ENSURES EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF UV WATER TREATMENT

Water is one of the focus areas of the Dutch technology company Nedap, which has a global presence with more than 900 employees working from offices in 10 countries. For the water sector, the company, a Water Alliance member, developed a fine piece of technology that effectively controls ultraviolet lamps for purifying water. Olga Kruidhof works in marketing & communications at Nedap. She says water companies are increasingly seeing the light. “The demand for the UV solution is only increasing.”

WATER COMPANIES ARE INCREASINGLY SEEING THE LIGHT Purifying water with UV light is a technique that has been widely used in Europe since the 1950s. Starting in 1990, it took off in America because it proved an effective and clean solution for rendering chlorine-resistant bacteria harmless. Since then, the technology has gained popularity worldwide. “UV treatment uses no chemicals and leaves no waste products”, says Olga Kruidhof. However, there is a prerequisite: effectively disinfecting drinking water and wastewater requires optimal UV lamp control. That control requires specialized, high-performance electronics. A lamp driver (ballast) provides ignition and the correct voltage and current, depending on the lamp’s output. Kruidhof: “The UV system uses smart control to ensure proper UV dosing and effective water treatment”, says Kruidhof. “Efficient and smart UV lamp drivers also help reduce energy costs.”

12,000 LAMPS

The world is their market. In New York, for example, their technology has been used for more than ten years at one of the largest drinking water plants, disinfecting 8.3 billion litres of water daily. Electronics from the Eastern Netherlands control the 12,000 UV lamps in use. “The water tastes much better. The chlorine taste is almost imperceptible because the chlorine dosage could be greatly reduced”, says

Kruidhof. Ultraviolet lamps may also play a role in dealing with PFAS, she continued. PFAS is the collective name for a group of barely biodegradable compounds that are harmful to human health. Kruidhof points to a study by Riverside University in California.

ONE-TWO PUNCH

The scientists found a method to break down PFAS in water. The sustainable technology has two parts. First, the researchers pump hydrogen into the water to make the molecules more reactive. They then treat the water with strong ultraviolet light. This one-two punch enabled them to break the strong fluorocarbon compounds. They break down into smaller, harmless pieces without generating unwanted byproducts or impurities.

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

Being a partner. is the essence of doing business, according to Kruidhof. “Our customers are our strategic partners. We help them bring their products to the attention of their end customers. We do that by supporting them in marketing; highlighting the great benefits of UV; that the technology is effective and clean; that it reduces both your costs and your carbon footprint; and that you actually increase water quality. We also help by providing service. For example, we help examine the problem if there is a malfunction.”

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OLGA KRUIDHOF: ‘THE DEMAND FOR THE UV SOLUTION IS ONLY INCREASING’

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Water Alliance members

D2D WATER SOLUTIONS SYSTEMS FOR WATER PURIFICATION

techniek DRYING & FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY

G I V I N G WAT E R K N O W L E D G E

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Water Alliance members

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