International Water Technology
Within the International Water Technology (IWT) research group, students together with researchers, conduct applied research focused on developing water purification concepts to address the challenges within the WEFE-nexus (W=Water, E=Energy, F=Food, and E=Environment).
This requires finding a responsible balance for the sustainable use of water as a scarce resource, with key themes such as managing water quality and quantity, transitioning to a circular economy, implementing climate-resilient measures, and involving all stakeholders.
Our expertise
TRENDY Water Center
The TRENDY Water Center is a Living Lab environment. We offer opportunities for Training, Research, Education, Networking, Demonstration and Yield of new conceptual solutions to balance the challenges in het #WEFE-nexus: Water-Energy-Food-Environment.
Water technology, management & governance
How to achieve the right quantity in the quality at the right moment at the right place.
Climate Resilient Areas
How to implement technical solutions in urban and rural areas so that the stakeholders are aware of the benefits.
Our focus
In order to maximize the societal impact of our activities, we conduct mission-driven research. The missions are coupled with the application areas of the WEFE-nexus which contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals 2, 6, 11 and 12 (SDG) of the United Nations.
Photo Ref.: Bassel Daher et al, Developing Socio-Techno-Economic-Political (STEP) Solutions for Addressing Resource Nexus Hotspots, Sustainability 2018, 10, 512.)
SDG6 - Clean water & sanitation
How do we make efficient use of available water for reliable drinking water, and proper wastewater treatment? We research how to use innovative water purification technologies, as well as robust well known conventional technologies. We strongly focus on decentralized water treatment systems aimed at closing the local water and nutrition cycle. Furthermore, we work on the development and integration of smart monitoring systems for real-time water quality assessments, enabling more effective process control as well as detection of contaminants.
SGD2 - Zero hunger (Food)
We dive into new concepts on how to significantly reduce the required amount of water (e.g. water reuse or drip irrigation) and minimize or apply more targeted dosing of nutrients (hydroponics) in agriculture. Thereby reducing both water consumption and the unwanted leaching of excess nutrients, as well as growth agents, herbicides, pesticides and other disease-control agents into the environment (air/water/soil).
SDG11 - Sustainable cities & communities (Environment)
Research into how the availability of water sources can be utilized to make our living environment future-proof. Not only focuses on combating the negative effects of climate change (floods/droughts/heat stress) and availability of clean water, but also on the physical and mental well-being in cities and villages in relation to climate change, and how water can play a role in enhancing it.
SDG12 - Responsible consumption & production (Energy & Nutrients)
How can we efficiently produce energy and recover valuable materials from wastewater? We explore how energy (in the form of hydrogen) can be generated during the electrolysis of ultra-pure water, purified from wastewater treatment plants. We also look at how biogas, nutrients (like nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur), and other materials (such as heavy metals) can be recovered from organic waste, whether it comes from industrial or municipal sources.
News about the research group
Collaborate
Are you interested in visiting our research facilities? Or are you interested in the co-development of new practical knowledge and applications as a partner, teacher or as a student? Please contact one of our team members.
Students with various backgrounds are encouraged to explore the possibilities to contribute to the work of the research group and the various research projects via internships, final projects, or participation in our minor, 3S-projects or under-graduate research projects.
Based on practical challenges from our partners, we conduct demand-driven applied research, ranging from small feasibility studies to large-scale demonstration research (Technology Readiness Level 7). The form of collaboration varies from open collaboration (partly funded by partners in the form of in-kind and in-cash and partly funded through grant programs) to contractual research (fully funded by partners).
Read more about our facilities
Research facilitiesOur partners
Our team
Harry Futselaar
Professor International Water Technology
+316 1044 0361 [email protected] LinkedIn Profile
Collaboration with the work field and education
The International Water Technology Research Group contributes to the education of various bachelor degree programmes in the Engineering, Biology, Chemistry and Technology domain. We provide assignments for projects as well as complete courses related to our expertise. Students with various backgrounds are encouraged to explore the possibilities to contribute to the work of the research group and the various research projects.