The Netherlands: a country of waterIA SpecialNetherlands office for Science and Technology

PrefaceDear reader,

This special report about innovative developments in The Netherlands regarding Water- and Deltatechnology is presented to you by the Netherlands Office for Science and Technology (NOST, in Dutch: Innovatie Attaché Netwerk).

NOST is part of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and is based at Dutch Embassies in 16 highly innovative countries. We support Dutch innovative companies, knowledge institutes and government in the area of (international) innovation. We provide information about the state-of-the-art developments in foreign countries, answer questions they may have and arrange introductions to potential foreign partners, in order to enable international scientific and technological cooperation. In short: we provide inspiration, information and introductions for Dutch innova-tors, thus facilitating new (business or scientific) opportunities for Dutch industry and academia… and possibly for you as well!

In turn, we hope this special report will inspire you, our foreign partners, by showcasing scientific and innovative projects and developments in The Netherlands. It highlights the relevant Dutch players (companies, research institutes), public-private R&D partnerships and our governmental policy towards Water- and Deltatechnology. The article is written by Maurice Luijten, Liaisonofficer for the Watersector within the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

If you would like to receive more information, or would like to be introduced to Dutch companies or organizations, then please do not hesitate to contact us. You will find our contact details at the end of this Special Report; alternatively you can contact the Science and Technology Attaché based in your country.

Kind Regards,

Bart SattlerCoordinator, Netherlands Office for Science & Technology

3 | The Netherlands: a country of water

The Netherlands | A country of waterThe Netherlands | A country of water

The Netherlands

Introduction The Netherlands and water are inextricably linked. First and foremost due to our location, with the Netherlands being situated in Europe’s largest delta. Besides this, a third of the country lies below sea level. Unsurprisingly, then, the struggle against water is at the heart of the nation’s history. After all, without the defence provided by dykes, dunes and flood barriers at least half of the Netherlands would be submerged at high tide.

On the other hand, water has also brought the Netherlands a great deal of prosperity. Consider in this regard the fertile farmland and overseas trade. Due to the Netherlands being in one of the most densely populated regions in the world, we are accustomed to being exceedingly careful when it comes to the quality of our water and our water management. Consequently, we are justified in referring to the Netherlands as a country of water.

And so this explains the high degree of sym-pathy we have for the world’s water problems. Throughout the world, the availability of suffi-cient, clean water is under pressure. Consider, for instance, the famine caused by extreme drought in Africa or the millions of people who fell ill due to poor water quality in the areas in Asia affected by the tsunami. Moreover, the incidence of major floods, such as those that occurred in England recently, is also on the rise. It is expected that these types of problems will only increase over the years ahead (as a result of an excess or a shortage of water) and that they will grow to become the most significant global problem of our time.

Living and surviving in a densely populated delta region – one that also happens to be below sea level – calls for creativity and ingenuity. The Dutch have traditionally risen to this challenge by looking for innovative solutions, such as the Dutch Inundation Line, the Delta Works and the IJsselmeer Dam. Nonetheless, the fact that the Netherlands is, in terms of surface area, a small but heavily populated country also calls for innovative

solutions when it comes to drinking water supply (dune infiltration and membrane technology) as well as wastewater treatment (anaerobic and aero-bic granular technology).

The Dutch water sector is regarded as the interplay between three subsectors, specifically delta tech-nology, maritime technology and water technol-ogy. This article focuses on the delta technology and water technology subsectors. The maritime technology cluster will be elaborated by the Netherlands Officers for Science and Technology Network at a later stage.

Top sectors policyThe Netherlands is in the top 20 of the world’s economies. The country has attained this position in part due to its smart combination of knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship. This has enabled the Netherlands to make a significant contribu-tion to tackling societal and economic challenges at home and abroad. In order to maintain this position among the world’s leading economies, the Dutch government is specifically concentrating on nine so-called top sectors. Smart cooperation within the golden triangle (the business communi-ty, research institutes and government) constitutes the foundation for quick and efficient progression from knowledge to expertise to cash register in these top sectors. One of the Dutch economy’s nine top sectors is that of Water. Further informa-tion on the top sectors policy can be found at: www.topsectoren.nl.

Topsector WaterTopteam Water lays the foundations within Topsector Water. Within this Topteam, all parties from the golden triangle are represented and there is also a special representative on behalf of SMEs. The Topteam has drawn up a highly ambitious objective, namely to double the sector’s added value over the period from 2010 to 2020. Further information on Topsector Water can be found at: www.topsectorwater.nl.

A country of water

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The Netherlands | A country of water The Netherlands | A country of waterThe Netherlands | A country of water

For each intrinsic cluster a core team acts beneath the Topteam. Moreover, there are two special core teams, one focused on Promotion and Export and one focused on Human Capital. The intrinsic core teams have translated Topsector Water’s overarch-ing objective to fit their own cluster. For each cluster the focus in terms of content and the (financial) commitment of all parties have been set down in an innova-tion contract, which Topsector Water has agreed with the government. This innova-tion contract encompasses the financial and substantive commitment not only of companies and the government but also of NWO/STW and the TO2 institutes such as TNO, Deltares and DLO.

Knowledge as a basis Often, the specific challenges faced by the Netherlands as regards water management

and water quality render standard solu-tions inadequate. Consequently, the Dutch have always been on a quest for creative and innovative solutions . The result of this search is that the Netherlands has built up a considerable body of knowledge when it comes to both delta technology and water technology.

The research landscape in the Netherlands comprises universities as well as several prestigious research institutes. Collectively these provide the foundation for a safe, high-quality living environment, as well as a robust economic position for Dutch entrepreneurs in the national and interna-tional water and water export markets.

The most important universities active in the delta technology and water technology clusters are Delft University of Technology,

Wageningen University, the University of Twente, Utrecht University and the University of Amsterdam. Furthermore, several universities of applied sciences specialise in education focused on these two clusters.

In addition to these higher education institutions, a number of illustrious research institutes are active in the fields of delta and water technology. The most important ones that focus fully on the Topsector Water are Wetsus, Deltares and KWR Watercycle Research Institute. These three institutes are briefly discussed below. Finally, there are also several relevant institutes that are partly focused on the Topsector Water, such as TNO (www.tno.nl), DLO (www.wageningenur.nl) and NIOZ (www.nioz.nl).

WETSUS, Centre of Excellence for sustainable water technology

www.Wetsus.nlLocated in Leeuwarden, Wetsus is a leading technology institute in the field of water technology. Wetsus facilitates and organises demand-driven, applied research, with private and public parties jointly ensuring that activities remain demand driven. The research is subse-quently utilised by universities under the colours of Wetsus. Wetsus itself has research facilities where the majority of the research is performed. The multidis-ciplinary nature of these research facili-ties is one of the distinguishing aspects helping Wetsus to excel.

Deltares

www.deltares.nlDeltares is an independent institute for applied research in the fields of water, subsurface and infrastructure. Deltares

concentrates on innovations, solutions and applications for people, the envi-ronment and society. In this regard, the main focus is on deltas, coastal regions and river basins. Managing these densely populated and vulnerable areas is a complex affair, which is why Deltares works closely with governments, busi-nesses and research institutes at home and abroad.

KWR Watercycle Research Institute

www.kwrwater.nl KWR Watercycle Research Institute cre-ates the knowledge required to fulfil two important needs: healthy, safe drinking water and a clean environment. In this respect the emphasis is on demand-driven, applied research, with the drinking water companies collectively being the most important partner. The core research topics are healthy water, sustainable water, efficient water and progressive water.

Wide in scope and thorough, these research centres form the foundation for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Dutch water sector. This sector is characterised by the interaction between public and private parties.

From the public sphere, Rijkswaterstaat (the executive arm of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment) and the water boards and drinking water companies play an essential role. Within the Netherlands they are responsible for water safety, water quality, reliable drinking water and water management. From the perspective of these duties, they have a big hand in steering the need for research and innovation in terms of delta and water technology. A response to this demand-driven research and innovation requirement is provided by way of a collaborative effort between the aforementioned research parties and private parties within the sector. Lastly, the private portion of the water sector is made up of technology companies and engineering firms.

5 | The Netherlands: a country of water

The Netherlands | A country of water

Challenges in the NetherlandsThe current R&D focus areas in the Dutch water sector can be described from a technological perspective. The major technologies on which Dutch research organisations and companies are currently focusing their efforts include sensor tech-nology, building with nature, ecoshape, high-quality water treatment solutions and blue energy.

For the purposes of the second part of this article we have elected to consider mat-ters not from the technological perspec-tive but rather from the perspective of primary societal challenges faced by the Netherlands (and other countries). A few of the key challenges will be looked at in greater detail. For each of these challenges it will become evident that innovative and sustainable solutions will require an interplay between several of the afore-mentioned technologies. The challenges discussed are:• Grondstoffenfabriek (Raw Materials

Factory): wastewater as part of a circular economy

• FloodControl-IJkdijk• Pharmaceuticals and priority substances

in the water cycle• Climateproof cities, working on

dynamic, liveable cities

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The Netherlands | A country of water The Netherlands | Grondstoffenfabriek: wastewater as part of a circular economy

Grondstoffenfabriek: wastewater as part of a circular economy

Our wastewater is invaluable. After all, it is brimming with raw materials that are scarce and valuable. In addition to raw materials (organic matter) for generating energy, wastewater also contains such substances as phosphate, nitrogen, potassium and the building blocks for bio plastics. Energy is already being recovered on a mass scale, but other raw materials are currently being drained off along with the treated wastewater. Dutch water boards wish to put a stop to this, and they have united to form the Grondstoffenfabriek (Raw Materials Factory). By rendering the waste-water chain sustainable, they will be able to fulfil their ambitions when it comes to climate and the environment. This process of making the chain sustainable will be worthwhile in financial terms too – it could deliver costs savings. And it will aid the water boards’ position in society, making them innovative and sustainable, and putting them at the heart of society. In short, there are ample reasons to seize this opportunity. We are no longer able to justify discharging these valuable raw mate-rials into the surface water. All 23 water boards are involved in the Grondstoffenfabriek.

Focus areasIn 2012, the water boards and local authorities set out their aims with regard to closing chains and cycles in the Routekaart afvalwaterketen 2030 (Wastewater Chain Roadmap 2030). An important con-sideration in this regard is that the purification of wastewater is no longer aimed at getting rid of sub-stances but rather at preserving raw materials and energy so that they can be recovered and reused.

From this perspective, and in line with a busi-ness case approach, the feasibility of potentially recoverable and reusable substances in municipal wastewater has been rendered transparent. This has resulted in a number of potentially recoverable substances being selected. These are:• Alginate• Cellulose• Phosphate and Nitrogen• COD as fuel or as a building block (PHA) for

bioplastics• CO2

This analysis will generate a concept for (com-munal) wastewater purification as a ‘raw materials factory’.

AlginateOne of the recent Dutch innovations in wastewa-ter treatment is the Nereda process. This process entails aerobic bacteria forming granules instead of flocculent sludge. These granules are character-ised by an oxygen-rich exterior and an oxygen-poor core. This enables various processes to take place in the same granule and thus in the reactor. What this means is that water that is treated using the Nereda process has a high yield at relatively low energy costs. Furthermore, the process also saves a lot of space, as a separate secondary settler is not required.

It recently emerged that biomass from the Nereda process contains high concentrations of alginate. Alginate is a valuable compound with a marked water-holding capacity, which can be used in such things as the medical and food industries.

FIGURE: Schematic overview of possible route to recover the raw materials selected (raw materials in green: selected; in amber: potentially interesting raw materials requiring further research); Cold Anammox is a technology under development (grey and italicised) (from STOWA 2013-31).

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The Netherlands | Grondstoffenfabriek:wastewater as part of a circular economy

However, possible applications also exist in the chemical, paper and textiles industries, and as a raw material in the agricultural sector and in farming to improve water management in semi-arid areas.

This alginate formation presents mani-fold opportunities, but for the time being will necessitate a thorough R&D process. Questions that will have to be answered are: How do I optimise production? How do I recover alginate from biomass cost-effectively? How do I process the alginate recovered to convert it into a usable form?

A consortium comprising Royal HaskoningDHV, Delft University of Technology, STOWA (Foundation for Applied Water Research) and various water boards is playing a leading role in this research.

CelluloseIn the majority of Western countries toilet paper ends up at a sewage treatment plant along with the wastewater. The average Western European gets through 10-14 kg per annum, some 30-50 percent of the suspended solids in the influent (STOWA 2012-07). The use of influent sieves instead of a primary settler during wastewater pre-liminary treatment enables both economic and environmental benefits to be achieved. An influent sieve enables the removal of more suspended solids. The separated material (sieved material) is around 80 percent cellulose, derived from toilet paper, and can be dehydrated to produce 40-50 percent dry matter. This is far more than would usually be the case. The nature of the sieved material results in a fall in the sewage plants’ sludge processing costs and presents opportunities for use (and reuse). Research shows that fine sieved material (in this case: toilet paper fibres) consti-tutes an interesting raw material for the production of insulation material, (bio)ethanol, drip inhibitors (road-building) and polylactic acid, using a commercially suitable process.

Important questions surrounding this subject are: What are the optimum dimen-sional fundamentals for construction? What extraction yields can be achieved

with influent sieves? Is the effect of a fine sieve equivalent to that of a primary settler? What is the effect on the overall construction, energy and running costs of a sewage plant? What are the effects of influent sieves on the treatment and sludge processing process? What is to be done with the sieved material?

Phosphorus and NitrogenRecovering phosphorus is a high priority for Dutch water boards. For some years now, technologies and concepts have been in development, and several practical systems are already in place. The decision to switch to recovering phosphorus and the point in the chain at which this might best be done (either in the sewage plant or during sludge processing) is determined not only by the technical possibilities but also by environmental factors. These include the requirements in terms of the quality set for phosphoric products and the agricultural, statutory and organisational possibilities related to taking a product to market, be this as an end product or semi-finished product for the fertiliser industry (STOWA 2013-32).

Based on data from 2010 from the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Statistics Netherlands, or CBS), around 88,000 tonnes of nitrogen are discharged to sew-age treatment plants in Dutch wastewater. This is nigh on 40 percent of the quantity of nitrogen used in artificial fertilisers in the Netherlands. Recovering nitrogen from reject water by means of strips is the usual and most efficient way of recovering nitro-gen. However, it proves to be economically impractical at concentrations below 5 grammes per litre. Furthermore, aerobic purification is necessary in order to be able to satisfy the nitrogen requirements. The greatest challenge is to come up with a financially attractive and sustainable alternative to this conventional nitrogen production process.

COD as fuel or as a building block (PHA) for bio plastics

Carbon present in wastewater (COD) can be converted to energy and raw materials in a variety of ways. In various studies the production of electricity from biogas by

means of cogeneration is deemed one of the most financially appealing options. The costs can be recovered within two to nine years, depending on the scale of the treatment involved. Other sources of energy are also possible – green gas and syngas, for example.

The production of bio plastics from the treatment of waste flows seems to be an interesting possibility. A technical and economic feasibility study into the produc-tion of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate, the building block for bio plastic) from treat-ment sludge suggests that production of bioplastic from sludge is feasible, but that it is not yet cost-effective. Opportunities for reducing costs exist in terms of optimis-ing various sub processes (2014-10).

CO2

Recovering CO2 from biogas is techni-cally feasible. The question is what quality standards the product could ultimately satisfy. For the purposes of recovering CO2 from biogas, additional gas upgrading facilities and transport to a buyer are nec-essary. A potential buyer could be found in sectors of industry in which CO2 is used, such as greenhouse farming, drinking water companies and the food and paper industries. Biogas can be upgraded using a wide array of technologies: membrane filtration, pressure/temperature swing adsorption, cryogenic separation, chemi-cal absorption and physical adsorption. Depending on the technology used and the buyer’s requirements, extra purification of the CO2 may be required. CO2 supply from existing biogas upgrading systems depends on the feasibility of certain technology and has a cost recovery time of between 1 and 12 years (2014-??).

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The Netherlands | Grondstoffenfabriek:wastewater as part of a circular economy The Netherlands | FloodControl-IJkdijk

FloodControl-IJkdijkDuring the period running to 2020, FloodControl-IJkdijk will be implementing and developing knowledge and technologies so as to fulfil and monitor the safety standard for (Dutch) flood defences better, with greater speed and in a way that drives down costs. They will do so with a mod-ern outlook on water systems. The ultimate goal is Safety as a Service.

In conjunction with the authorities (water boards and Rijkswaterstaat), research institutes (universi-ties, Deltares, TNO) and companies (large-scale enterprises, contractors, SMEs), FloodControl-IJkdijk is developing the flood defences of the future. FloodControl-IJkdijk is accomplishing the step from validating systems to application in prac-tice, dyke strengthening and dyke management – in short, every phase of the ‘life cycle’.

What is new is that a joint back office is being created in the Netherlands, thereby enabling the foreign customer to be provided with remote sup-port so as to remain in control at all times. This is in addition to the products and services offered and supplied locally. This gives the Netherlands a competitive edge over its foreign competitors that are undergoing rapid development. And this com-petitive edge will only increase as more countries follow suit. Knowledge acquired in this way will bolster the position of the Netherlands and will ultimately have a positive effect in terms of the safety of Dutch dykes themselves. The ambition of FloodControl-IJkdijk is to set this flywheel in motion and to keep it going.

InformationThe core component of the FloodControl-IJkdijk programme is information management with related systems and tools that provide ongoing insight into the current status of an object or area. Integration of manifold sources of data is extremely important. This ensures decision-makers and administrators are in control not only during crisis situations, but also under everyday manage-ment conditions, and enable them to account for their actions. These systems can be utilised in the design phase and when analysing sce-narios and strategies so as to support investment decisions with life cycle costing methods (asset management), thus ensuring compliance with the Hoogwaterbeschermingsprogramma (Dutch Flood

Protection Programme, or HWBP). Furthermore, FloodControl-IJkdijk’s portfolio includes a variety of dyke strengthening methods (including the Dyke Monitoring and Conditioning System and TenCate Geodetect, both winners of the Water Innovation Prize).

Water safety challengesThe Netherlands is faced with a water safety task of considerable magnitude. In the long term, the Netherlands will have to be prepared for such things as climate change, but there is also a complex problem with respect to land usage. For that reason, the Delta Programme (http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/deltaprogramma) is working on a different perspective on the water system. Thus prevention, sustainable organisation and sound disaster management will have to dove-tail with one another to ensure optimum safety at the lowest possible costs.

Numerous examples abroad, such as the recent floods in Poland, Germany and England, high-light the importance of a solid water safety policy. Parties in the water sector (also at the interna-tional level) have short- and long-term require-ments in terms of reliable, readily available and comprehensive water safety information. This enables them to compare the relative merits of measures (innovative or otherwise) and to make well-founded decisions. In other words, to shape their LCC/Asset Management for flood defences. The requisite innovations in terms of technology and process will be given increased opportunities and it will be possible to implement these more rapidly. FloodControl-IJkdijk thus has a facilitating role in respect of other innovations, such as meas-ures combating piping, concepts stemming from Building with Nature, et cetera. (Image 1).

Scope of FloodControl-IJkdijk contentIn terms of content, FloodControl–IJkdijk’s scope is focused on the following areas:• Dyke strength and monitoring

Dyke strength constitutes crucial water safety information. Various studies show that dyke strength can be calculated on the basis of a variety of conditions, such as humidity, load, duration of load, et cetera. [Weijers et al., 2009; Koelewijn et al., 2010; De Vries et al., 2013]. Furthermore, knowledge of the dyke is required,

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The Netherlands | FloodControl-IJkdijk

such as information pertaining to the subsurface and environment in the past (studies carried out, soil profiles, strengthening designs, ditch/channel maps, et cetera) and at present (current monitoring, forecasting models, et cetera). Sample projects: SUCCESS/REAL, LiveDijk, DDSC, Levee Information and Management System, Validation experiments, DAM

• Load and forecasting Linking the dyke strength and monitor-ing information to morphological processes and the hydraulic load of dykes (current and future) enables forecasts to be made. These forecasts aid disaster management and form the basis for optimising all phases of the flood defence’s life cycle (such as management and strengthening). Sample projects: FEWS DAM, SUCCESS/MLV, Berichten Databank

• Consequences and decision-making Forecasting dyke strength enables consequences to be made clear. This ensures that decision-making with regard to disasters, management and strengthening projects is supported. Sample projects: Serious Gaming, WMC/Noordwaard, Life Cycle Management / Costing / Asset Management, EvacuAid, Dashboards, MLV.

R&D challengesThe R&D challenges presented by the tracks above revolve around combining and inte-grating these different information flows so as to enable judgements to be made on current dyke strength. Based on a more accurate picture of current dyke strength, FloodControl-IJkdijk can use predictions with regard to storms, high tide, et cetera, to forecast with greater accuracy how the dyke will behave in the near future and whether there might be a possibility of a deterioration in the condition of the dyke or disasters. This is also evident from the All-in-One Sensor Validation Test (De Vries et al., 2013). This information enables authorities to make better, more accurate decisions on such matters as evacuation, emergency strengthening, et cetera, in the event of the threat of a disaster.

ParticipantsAt present the following parties are work-ing together in FloodControl-IJkdijk:• Authorities: 16 parties

• Government (the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment)

• Water boards and related organisa-tions (STOWA, Rijkswaterstaat; Waterschap Noorderzijlvest; Wetterskip Fryslan; Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe; Waterschap Amstel, Gooi en Vecht; Hoogheemraadschap de Stichtse Rijnlanden; Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland; Waterschap Scheldestromen; Waterschap Rivierenland; Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland; and Waterschap Groot Salland)

• Provinces (Utrecht, Groningen)• Research institutes: 6 parties

• Universities (Delft University of Technology, University of Twente)

• Research institutes (Deltares, TNO)• Other (Target Holding)

• Business community: 30 parties (22 SMEs and 9 large-scale enterprises, see www.ijkdijk.nl for companies and metrological systems)

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The Netherlands | FloodControl-IJkdijk The Netherlands | Pharmaceuticals and priority substances in the water cycle

Pharmaceuticals and priority substances in the water cycle

What is the problem?Pharmaceuticals and breakdown products thereof are found in surface water and groundwater. In addition to these, other substances are also found, such as substances found in personal care prod-ucts, radiocontrast agents, pesticides, industrial or domestic chemicals or substances that disrupt hormone homeostasis. These substances end up in the water because they are used by people. After use, pharmaceuticals are excreted through urine and faeces and get into surface water via sewage treatment plants. Despite the fact that this does not yet pose an acute health hazard, it appears that an increasingly substantial body of research is indi-cating that the presence of these substances may lead to risks to human health and to the ecosystem if concentrations in the water were to increase. An ageing population, the rise in the use of phar-maceuticals and climate change will cause these concentrations and the attendant risks to continue to increase in the future. In order to reduce the burden on surface water, new types of medicine are advisable (‘green pharmacy’), and purification at source, at the sewage treatment plant and/or during drinking water preparation are necessary. Important questions are: What can be achieved by tackling things at source? What additional purifica-tion measures are required? What technology is efficient and effective? What are the costs and benefits? What are the developments in terms of policy, legislation and regulations?

What is our ambition / vision / objective in the Netherlands?

Opinions on these issues are divided in the Netherlands. Drinking water companies prefer clean sources for the preparation of drinking water. They strive towards a situation in which drinking water is free from pharmaceuticals, as a precautionary measure to safeguard public health, as well as due to perception on the part of custom-ers. Target values for pharmaceuticals and endo-crine disruptors in surface water are 0.1 µg/l per component. Efforts are being made at the EU level to achieve standardisation for these substances. Nonetheless, there are not yet any pharmaceuticals on the list of priority substances and no stand-ards have yet been implemented for this group of

substances. That being said, two hormones and the drug diclofenac have been included on the priority substances watch list for the Water Framework Directive. Furthermore, several drinking water companies are actively engaged in research into advanced purification technology for the removal of organic micropollutants during drinking water preparation. In addition, the use of purification technology at sewage treatment plants is being studied by STOWA (Foundation for Applied Water Research) and the water boards.

Even surface water managers are investigating the need for an approach in the chain. However, the large-scale use of extra purification steps at sewage treatment plants in order to limit emission into surface water is something that will require high levels of investment. Here too a case is being made for an international approach within the scope of the Water Framework Directive. Moreover, a great deal of importance is being attached to an approach at source. In other words, ‘what isn’t in the water, doesn’t have to be removed’.

Where are we now?In recent years, the issue of pharmaceuticals has been put on the political agenda. It is being given attention at the Cabinet level (Letter from the State Secretary for Infrastructure and the Environment, W. Mansveld [Ref. IENM/BSK-2013/63031]) and a Round Table Meeting was recently held in the House of Representatives (30 January 2014).

Over the past few years a great deal of research has been carried out into sources of emission (loca-tion, scale) and the mechanisms of dispersal in the environment. The research has shown that the vast majority of pharmaceuticals found in water stem from the use of medication within the home and that these are therefore being discharged diffusely through domestic wastewater. This wastewater is treated centrally at a sewage treatment plant prior to the water being discharged into the surface water. Wastewater from hospitals and other health care institutions only contains a small proportion of the overall emission burden.

11 | The Netherlands: a country of water

The Netherlands | Pharmaceuticals and priority substances in the water cycle

Another significant observation is that the problem transcends borders. A proportion of the pharmaceuticals detected in (Dutch) surface water is already present in the water at the border. This is due to use of pharmaceuticals abroad.

Drinking water companies are carrying out research into additional, advanced purification technology in order to remove pharmaceuticals during drinking water production. A few of these companies have now proceeded to implement new technology in practical systems. Abroad (Switzerland) a decision has been made to incorporate an extra purification step at sewage treatment plants.

On what R&D challenges will the Netherlands be focusing its efforts over the next few years?

Important questions pertaining to knowledge that will have to be answered over the next few years concern the effects of the presence of pharmaceuticals and breakdown products on the aquatic environment:• A significant number of toxicological

measurements have been performed in laboratories. It is important to increase our understanding of the effects of complex cocktails of pharmaceuticals (and other micropollutants) on the aquatic ecosystem. Furthermore, it is also important to acquire a better picture of the burden presented by pharmaceuticals passing through sewage treatment plants in the Netherlands and to model the effect of modifying sewage treatment plants has on water quality under various removal scenarios. An EU project has been launched studying a variety of measures and their effects on water quality in hydrological models.

A second important challenge is to develop effective and efficient purification technology:• Developing specific adsorbents that can

be administered in the toilet, by adding them to toilet rim blocks, for instance (tackling the problem at source). This would enable pharmaceuticals to bind with an adsorbent, which it will be

possible to subsequently remove at the sewage treatment plant. A proof of principle study has been carried out for this technique. Opportunities for scaling up the model and testing it in practice are being sought.

• Developing new purification technology for treating sewage plant effluent. An important factor with sewage treatment plant effluent is the presence of relatively high concentrations of organic matter (including humus bonds). These disrupt the operation of technology for removing organic micropollutants. Methods are currently being sought to remove this organic matter prior to removing pharmaceuticals. This project was initiated within TKI-Watertechnologie, part of Topsector Water, in 2014.

• The use of advanced oxidation (includ-ing UV/H2O2) for the removal of pharmaceuticals during drinking water purification. Various drinking water companies (including WML, Dunea, Evides) are preparing projects or have now embarked on research programmes.

• Optimising and improving biological purification processes in sewage treatment plants to increase the efficiency of removal during treatment, perhaps with limited modifications. Various environmental technology projects have been launched at Wageningen University.

In the Netherlands, the following uni-versities, research institutes and com-panies (amongst others) are involved in the research into priority substances and pharmaceuticals: KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Wageningen University, Delft University of Technology, Wetsus, the drinking water companies, STOWA (Foundation for Applied Water Research), the water boards, Advanced Waste Water Solutions, Van Remmen UV Techniek, Van Houtum, Excellent Ozone Solutions and engineering firms.

12 | IA Special | May 2014

The Netherlands | Pharmaceuticals and priority substances in the water cycle The Netherlands | Climateproof cities: working on dynamic, liveable cities

Climateproof cities: working on dynamic, liveable cities

Importance of climateproof statusCities are dynamic places in which people coexist, live and work in close proximity to one another. Cities are susceptible to the effects of climate change: floods, drought and heatwaves. By modify-ing buildings, public spaces and water systems, Dutch cities will continue to be pleasant places to live.

Developing knowledgeKnowledge is necessary to make cities more resilient to the effects of climate change. Here it is a matter of the knowledge required to cope with extreme situations, both extremely dry/hot and extremely wet. This knowledge will provide build-ing blocks for adaptation strategies, which should result in mitigating heat stress on the one hand and dealing with flooding due to heavy rainfall on the other.

Developing knowledge is aimed at properly understanding the city’s water system. This is no mean feat, as the city comprises a complex system of buildings and undeveloped sections, greenery and paved/asphalted, water and supply/drainage, groundwater and substances extracted from it and the sewerage system into which rainwater can be discharged.

Work is being done on tools to provide insight into the hydrological functioning of the city, an exam-ple of this being 3Di. Models have the potential to reveal where problems might arise. Moreover, work is being done on possible solutions to render the city more adaptive to climate change. To this end, a wide array of options is available. The knowledge being developed is focused on charting the scope of measures. What do these contribute when it comes to storing water or combating/con-trolling water? In this regard it is about such things as so-called green days, municipal water features and increasing the amount of greenery in cities. A lot of knowledge regarding measures has been collated on the following website: http://www.urbangreenbluegrids.com/.

Cities cannot be changed overnight; many meas-ures can be addressed once the modernisation of

the cities is under way. The synergistic combina-tion of tasks will present manifold opportunities for getting measures to make cities more adaptive to climate change off the ground. In this respect it is crucial to harmonise the agendas of the parties involved. This will give rise to opportunities to come up with joint solutions and find financing for these. This ‘governance issue’ calls for new alliances and social innovations and will have to be shaped in practice. A great deal is possible in technical terms, but keeping things affordable will be a more substantial task. One example of an innovative approach is the creation of the Waterplein (‘Water Square’) in Rotterdam. The project’s impetus stemmed from a joint approach on the part of the city council and the water board. Further information can be found at: http://www.rotterdam.nl/benthemplein

Innovative model development: 3Di (www.3di.nu)

3Di encompasses innovative, interconnected devel-opments. This enables 3Di to perform hydrological computations, to perform computations in the cloud, to realistically visualise results on an iPad and touch table, and to use 3D stereo visualisation, interactively and in an integrated fashion.

In 3Di the so-called area models form a back-ground drawing, comprising various map layers presenting geographical information, such as the soil map, ground level height and land use. On this ‘background drawing’, hydrological computations

13 | The Netherlands: a country of water

The Netherlands | Climateproof cities: working on dynamic, liveable cities

can be performed using the 3Di computa-tion core.

The 3Di area models can literally chart water flows and the effects of flooding, heavy rainfall and drought. This holds for both the current situation, for example during heavy rain, and climate scenarios in urban and rural settings.

Due to their high level of detail, excep-tionally fast computation times and the interactive use of a web browser, the area models are suitable for a wide-ranging tar-get group, ranging from water specialists, urban planning designers, operational controllers and communication advisors to disaster man-agement coordinators.

Shaping urban climate adaptation (http://www.urbangreenbluegrids.com/)

Half of the earth’s population lives in cities, and urbanisation is only increasing. The quality of our future thus depends on the quality of our cities.

Our challenge this century is to keep our cities and our planet liveable, safe, healthy and aesthetically appealing. Due to climate change, increasing urbanisation and the depletion of fossil fuels, cities will need to undergo a more or less gradual transition from being primarily consumers of raw materials and food towards producing their own.

One attractive and efficient way to guide this necessary transformation is by devel-oping green-blue urban grids, which will mitigate the effects of climate change and energy and food shortages in urban areas. Our cities need to become more resilient to be able to tackle these challenges, as a lack of resilience will not only lead to a deficiency in technical infrastructure func-tioning but will also have consequences for a city’s social and economic well-being.

Furthermore, green-blue urban planning will offer more room for the development of biodiversity and a healthier, more attrac-tive living environment.

14 | IA Special | May 2014

The Netherlands | Climateproof cities: working on dynamic, liveable cities The Netherlands | Climateproof cities: working on dynamic, liveable cities

Creation of Waterplein Rotterdam (http://www.rotterdam.nl/benthemplein)

Rotterdam is the first city in the world to have a large ‘water square’. A magnificent square in the city centre that helps keep feet dry in the event of heavy rainfall.

Benthemplein as a ‘water square’ in line with a design by De Urbanisten. Design: DE URBANISTEN.

During dry weather the square offers fan-tastic spots for skating and playing basket-ball, and in the event of heavy rainfall the basins are capable of collecting the rain-water from the square, altogether some 1.7 million litres of water. Consequently this water no longer needs to enter the sewer-age system, which in turn will be less quick to overflow. Thus the square is helping to keep feet dry in the face of increasingly heavy rainfall. Interested in seeing what the square looks like right now? Then feel free to take a look at the webcam footage.

For the area, with the areaBenthemplein was originally covered with grey paving stones. Several pupils from local schools asked Rotterdam city council whether it would be possible to alter the square. This dovetailed nicely with the wishes of the council and the Hoogheemraadschap (District Water Board) of Schieland and Krimpenerwaard to construct a ‘water square’.

Architects from the firm De Urbanisten supervised a process involving students, residents and entrepreneurs from the local area, maximising their influence on their new square. And it worked: the official opening saw some 300 people gather to celebrate the completion of this new fea-ture, a first for Rotterdam. And even when the construction work was in full swing, skaters and boot camp participants were already using the square at the weekends.

AcknowledgementsThe authors of this article are indebted to C. Uijterlinde (STOWA), W. Zomer (Stichting IJkdijk), J. Hofman (KWR Watercycle Research Institute) and M. Talsma (STOWA) for their input. Thank you!

References• STOWA report 2013-31 Verkennen mogelijkheden

‘grondstof rwzi’

• www. Grondstoffenfabriek.nl

• www.neredannop.nl

• STOWA 2012-07: Verkenning van mogelijkheden

voor verwaarding van zeefgoed

• STOWA 2014-10: Bioplastic uit slib. Verkenning

naar PHA-productie uit zuiveringsslib.

• STOWA 2013-32: Fosforhoudende producten uit

de communale afvalwaterketen

• Wet- en regelgeving, marktkansen,

verwerkingsconcepten.

• 2014-??: CO2-winning op rwzi’s

• www.topsectoren.nl

• www.topsectorwater.nl

• Koelewijn, A.R., Pals, N., Sas, M. & Zomer, W.

(2010). IJkdijk Piping experiment. Validatie van sensor- en

meettechnologie voor detectie van optreden van piping in

waterkeringen (2010-26 PIW). Groningen: Stichting

IJkdijk.

• Vries, de, G., Brake, ter, C.K.E., Bruijn, de, H.,

Koelewijn, A.R., Langius, E.A.F., Lottum, van, H.

• & Zomer, W.S. (2013). Dijkmonitoring: beoordeling van

meettechnieken en visualisatiesystemen.

• Amersfoort: STOWA/Stichting IJkdijk.

• Weijers, J., Elbersen, G.T., Koelewijn, A.R. & Pals,

N. (2009) Macrostabiliteit IJkdijk: Sensor en

meettechnologie (VIW 2009-19). Delft:

Rijkswaterstaat.

• www.ijkdijk.nl

• http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/

deltaprogramma

• http://www.urbangreenbluegrids.com/

• http://www.rotterdam.nl/benthemplein

• www.3di.nu

• http://www.rotterdam.nl/benthemplein)

More information• Maurice Luijten, Liaison Officer Topsector Water,

RVO.nl, maurice.luijten@rvo.nl

• With the cooperation of Hans Bosch, Advisor,

hans.bosch@rvo.nl

• Central Office- Netherlands Officers for Science

and Technology Network

• ianetwerk@rvo.nl (Dutch only)

• The Netherlands

15 | The Netherlands: a country of water

16 | IA Special | May 2014

17 | The Netherlands: a country of water

The Netherlands | Colophon

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© Rijksoverheid | May 2014ISSN: 1572-6045

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EditorKris Kras Design

DesignTigges, strategy, concept, design, Rijswijk.

PrintVijfkeerblauw

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The Netherlands | Colophon

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