On November 17th, KWR was visited by Takahiro Matsuo, senior staff member of the Tokyo Bureau of Waterworks. Mr Matsuo is interested in water resources management in the context of climate change. Gertjan Zwolsman, head of the team on Integrated Water Management, informed him of current water policy in the Netherlands, which is laid down in the National Water Plan, and the operational measures to ensure safety from flooding and continuous supply of fresh water in the Netherlands, which are being developed in the Delta Programme. Relevant background documents were also discussed, such as the KNMI climate change scenarios and the PBL report 'Roadmap to a climate-proof Netherlands'. Gerard van den Berg projectmanager for the Prepared project showed some recent results of this EU financed research project. Research activities in Prepared aim at the development and demonstration of new technologies and water management tools and thus contributes to the adaptation of urban water utilities and cities to climate change.

Leading Edge Technology (www.let2011.org), IWA's signature technology conference, returned this year to the Netherlands. From the 6^-10^th of June, delegates and water experts from all over the world gathered in Amsterdam to talk about the latest advances in water and wastewater treatment. This conference, together with the Young Professionals Workshop (YPW), was an excellent opportunity to network and learn from experts in the water sector. KWR Watercycle Research Institute was recognized on many occasions for its substantial contribution to the water cycle.

Following the success of the workshops previously organised during the Stockholm International Water Week, the World Water Congress and the IWA Young Water Professional Programme jointly organised a one day workshop exclusively for Young Water Professionals during LET2011. Here, approximately 50 youngsters had the chance to meet with water experts and to build their networks. The day started with some talks from well-known water professionals, talking about the challenges in the water sector. They received some tricks and good advice from 'old dogs' and had the opportunity to talk to them in a relaxed environment during the discussion sessions. Finally, some water companies presented their career opportunities for budding YWPs.

The following 3 days consisted of poster sessions (KWR researchers Sara Salvador Cob, Patrick Bauerlein and Klaasjan Raat [--> see posters/pdfs] were able to show off their posters) and platform presentations (including Mark van Loosdrecht and Kerusha Lutchmiah) regarding topics ranging from the International Perspective on Sustainable Urban Water to Innovative Treatment Technologies.

De Nederlandse viering van de Wereldwaterdag 2011 vond plaat in Delft met een uitgebreid middagprogramma. Het thema was 'Urban challenges for WASH (Water Sanitatie en Hygiëne). Met drie verschillende sessies kwamen verschillende onderwerpen aan bod. Zo heb ik korte presentaties gezien over het platform 'Dutchwatersector.com', Wereldwaternet, Nutriënten Platform, business in Vietnam, Brightwater Company en het nieuwe Delft Urban Water center. Centraal thema is wel samenwerken, met verschillende disciplines. Zo wil het Dutchwatersector platform laten zien dat Nederland goed is in water en die koppositie wil versterken door nieuwe projecten in het buitenland. Wereldwaternet werkt door middel van WOPs, water operator partnerships, samenwerkingsrelaties met lokale water operators.

 

In een andere sessie werden presentaties gegeven in de vorm van 'TED'-sessies, waarbij TED staat voor 'Technology Entertainment Design'. IBM, Royal Haskoning en TU Delft gaven interessante enthousiaste presentaties over water en ICT. IBM deed een oproep voor open data. Royal Haskoning richt zich op het ontwikkelen van applicaties, om alle verzamelde data zo goed mogelijk te gebruiken. Voorbeelden zijn uiteraard applicaties die ontwikkeld zijn voor de iPad en iPhone. Rolf Hut van TU Delft liet zien hoe belangrijk nerds zijn voor het ontwikkelen van applicaties. Tegenwoordig kunnen kinderen van een jaar of twaalf een sensor maken die regendruppels registreert. Hiermee kunnen regenbuien dan beter worden geregistreerd en wateroverlast worden voorkomen.