On 26 and 27 October, the WATERMINING project kicked-off. A project with the funding of 17M EUR will demonstrate innovative solutions for water resources with a strong focus on Circular Economy. Demonstrations in Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Italy and The Netherlands will be built to show novel efficient ways to reclaim nutrients, minerals, energy and water from industrial and urban wastewater and seawater.

The project, led by Delft University of Technology consists of 38 public and private partners and 4 linked third parties from 12 countries.

The project aims to provide examples for real-world implementation of the Water Framework Directive to help the transition to Circular Economy, incorporating EU Green Deal packages. The demonstrations will integrate selected innovative technologies developed by partners and from previously funded EU projects. The value-added end-products (water, platform chemicals, energy, nutrients and minerals) are expected to provide regional resource supplies to fuel economic developments. Mark van Loosdrecht (professor Environmental Biotechnology, TU Delft) “Water is essential for human health, certainly in urban areas. Flushing sanitary waste out of the city is one of the main functions. This program will aid to recover the water and convert waste components to resources, thereby contributing to a stronger circular economy.”

Unique feature of the project is that the implementation of the novel technology will be co-designed with a range of stakeholders. Through Science Musea such as NEMO in The Netherlands and Living Labs throughout Europe the project will invite public input in considering the social impacts and concerns. With augmented technology the project will present and discuss the science behind the technology, the measured ecological footprint and the possible social impacts.

“We will organise over 24 workshops with experts, policy makers, industry, civil communities and the public to show the innovations and discuss the implications such as ecological footprint, local changes and consequences” says Patricia Osseweijer, professor Biotechnology and Society, TU Delft and coordinator of the project. “Their input will be used to improve the innovations and their implementation in society. I am really looking forward to this process.”

For more updates follow the project on social media (Twitter @watermining and a LinkedIn account Water Mining H2020) and consult the official website: https://watermining.eu/