Water technology and the Netherlands

Dutch water technology has gained a prominent worldwide reputation. Well-known innovations as PVC-pipe systems, membrane technology and sewage treatment systems, like oxidation gutters and UASB systems, have all been developed in the Netherlands. In the field of research and development the Dutch water sector has a leading position in the world and a well-developed international network. Looking at the water facilities more than 99% of the Dutch households are connected to a high quality drinking water supply and the wastewater is collected and treated in an environmentally friendly way. The Netherlands has an outstanding home market for development and use of water technology.
Click here to download a document with a selection of key Dutch expertise in the field of Water Technology.

Drinking Water and the Netherlands

Ground and surface water are the main sources of Dutch drinking water. Approximately 60% of the total supplied drinking water originates from groundwater, and around 40% is drawn directly or indirectly from surface water, such as the river Rhine and Maas. There are in total some 233 production plants and the water mains system is approximately 110,000 kilometers long.
All Dutch water supply companies deliver high quality drinking water, a product which must comply with strict requirements. Various organizations constantly strive to ensure that sufficient quantities are available via the tap. The Dutch drinking water supply is well known for its multiple barrier systems and high technical standards. The Dutch drinking water is of high quality and does not contain chlorine, and the Dutch therefore readily drink tap water and do not see the need to buy bottled water or in-house filters, with their drawbacks on national economics, public health and the environment. The production of drinking water has stabilized since 1990 as a result of the encouragement of economical water use and of technological developments.

…. do you need information, professional advice or services on drinking water ……?
Contact NedWater !

Industrial Water and the Netherlands

The Dutch also provide technologies and installations able to provide water of the quality needed for industrial activities around the world, e.g. food and beverage production, as well as water for the energy and oil industries.

…. do you need information, professional advice or services on industrial water ……?
Contact NedWater !

Sewers and the Netherlands

…. do you need information, professional advice or services on sewers or sewer systems ……?
Contact NedWater !

Waste Water treatment and the Netherlands

The Dutch have extensive experience in the development and use of wastewater treatment technologies. During the 1970s, for example, new techniques had to be developed to comply with Dutch legislation designed to protect surface waters. The boom in innovation that was triggered by this legislation resulted in the Netherlands becoming one of the first countries to treat communal and industrial waste on a large scale. Now all wastewater has to be treated before it returns to the natural water system, in order to ensure that it meets modern, international water-quality standards. To ensure that they stay ahead of the game in this area too, the Dutch keep developing new ideas. Their innovative efforts also encompass capacity building and the use of environmental impact assessments. A good example of Dutch efforts is the new hybrid biological membrane technique that has been developed and tested using communal wastewater. This so-called membrane bioreactor (MBR) technique has given very promising results, producing excellent quality wastewater - the Nereda™ wastewater treatment technology is based upon this technique.

…. do you need information, professional advice or services on waste water treatment ……?
Contact NedWater !

Treatment sludge and the Netherlands

…. do you need information, professional advice or services on sludge treatment ……?
Contact NedWater !

Smart Sanitation Solutions and the Netherlands

Many household and community-based sanitation solutions developed by the Dutch have proven to be effective and affordable. The portfolio comprises a range of innovative sanitation technologies that have already helped thousands of poor families to improve their lives. Implemented in large numbers, they can boost health, improve agricultural production and generate local business all at the same time. Smart technologies like this help us to tackle poverty immediately. Sanitation for All!
Read all about it in the booklet Smart Sanitation Solutions, Examples of innovative, low-cost technologies for toilets, collection, transportation, treatment and use of sanitation products.
Click here to download the document.

Click here for the EU Guide Extensive wastewater treatment processes adapted to small and medium sized communities.

…. do you need information, professional advice or services on smart sanitation solutions ……?
Contact NedWater !

New Sanitation and the Netherlands

A quest for new sanitation concepts, focusing increasingly on the possibilities of a source-oriented and partly also a decentralized approach. New sanitation concepts should contribute towards the targets of the Water Framework Directive, reduce energy consumption and may even yield energy and lead to the recovery of resources.
This development with initiating and supervising research and pilot projects, by coordinating the developments through the Coordinating Body for the Development of New Sanitation Systems in the Netherlands (abbreviated to ‘Coordinating Body ONSS’) and by organizing the dissemination of knowledge. You will find all information on the activities of the Coordinating Body, the research and pilot projects and the knowledge that is currently available here.

More information: download below and read!

Read a book on drinking water? Click for your favorite language Dutch or English and learn more about Drinking water - principles and practices, written by Jasper Verberk, Peter de Moel and Hans van Dijk. ISBN 981-256-836-0.
Or download the table of contents, addendum 'Drinking water and the Netherlands' or the Flyer in English as pdf.

The Dutch expertise for drinking water, June 2006. Shanghai and the Netherlands have much in common. Read what the Dutch can offer in the field drinking water. Click here to download the brochure.

Dutch Position in the European Area of Water Supply and Sanitation Technology, July 2005, this position paper covers the knowledge, ability, innovative chances and required research of the Dutch water treatment cluster in the coming years. It gives an overview of the identified trends, prospects that require new or improved technological solutions in order to face the expected challenges. During the identification process every aspect of the water treatment system was considered; from water supply to sanitation. Click here to download the paper.

…. need assistance to get in touch with the right partner in the Netherlands ……? Contact NedWater !