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| Welcome to the Watershare Newsletter |
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Please find the first edition of the Watershare Newsletter for 2026.
In this edition you will read about the activities, research, projects, and expertise of global researchers, utilities, and solutions providers who work to contribute to a resilient and inclusive water future.
We have also include a new section called ‘In the Spotlight’ giving more visibility to the work of young professionals and researchers!
Happy reading! |
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| What have partners been up to? |
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| Demonstrating the way for recycling critical metals from mining wastewater |
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IVL has demonstrated on a pilot scale that rare earth elements can be recovered from mine wastewater with over 90% efficiency. The membrane technology tested can help reduce Europe’s reliance on the import of critical raw materials that are essential for the green transition.
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| Who extends KWR's designation as Collaborating Centre |
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| The World Health Organization has renewed KWR’s designation as a Collaborating Centre on Water Quality and Health extending its collaboration for another four years. KWR will work with WHO on microbiological and chemical quality guidelines for drinking water, recreational water, and water reuse. |
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| Advancing technological independence in green hydrogen with low-alkalinity water electrolysis |
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| KIST has developed a novel membrane material for water electrolysis that operates stably and has significantly higher conductivity under low alkalinity conditions than existing systems. The newly developed membrane maintains high hydrogen production performance even in low-concentration alkaline environments, providing a technological foundation for low-alkalinity water electrolysis. |
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| Technical innovation at the service of historical heritage |
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| Eau de Paris is carrying out renovation work on the Loing aqueduct, which supplies 20% of the capital’s drinking water, with the aim of preventing leaks, preserving the structure, and guaranteeing safe water for everyone. This project combines technical innovation and responsible investment, both integral to the water companies core values. |
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| Science and art to combine at Exeter micro festival |
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| At a time of increasing pressure on our water systems, a new micro festival of the University of Exeter will showcase environmental artists exploring the wonder of our waterscapes, collaborating with scientists, and telling stories of the work being done to increase water system resilience. |
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| It's Everyone's Business to Make Every Drop Count |
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| Singapore’s National Water Agency, PUB launched its annual Water Conservation Campaign in March in conjunction with Singapore World Water Day 2026, themed “It’s Everyone’s Business to Make Every Drop Count” calling for households and businesses to play their part to sustain water conservation efforts. |
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| Solutions for circular water and decentralisation |
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| The Horizon Europe project Solutions for Circular Water and Decentralisation (SOLUCIR) officially launched on 1 January 2026, marking the start of a four-year collaborative effort among 16 partners (including the NTUA, KWR, Eurecat, and KWB) to accelerate the deployment of circular and decentralised water management systems across Europe. |
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| Global atlas will track human and climate impact on river systems |
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| Four international teams of researchers (including Cornell University) received funding from Schmidt Sciences for five years to advance the global understanding of freshwater availability leveraging AI and high-resolution data to build a first-of-its-kind “global water ledger”. |
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| Emerging contaminants: Why conventional treatment is not enough |
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| Eurecat is participating in the European project LIFE PRISTINE promoting sustainable solutions based on a combination of processes such as adsorption, nanofiltration, and advanced oxidation, integrated with intelligent monitoring and decision-support systems. Eurecat is specifically developing an innovative adsorption capsule system, which acts like a sponge to capture substances such as pharmaceuticals, PFAS, and microcontaminants. |
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| Argentine Water Chamber officially launchs the Water-Responsible Company Seal |
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| With strong participation from representatives of the private sector, public institutions, and academia, the Argentine Water Chamber in partnership with Aquafondo officially launches the Water-Responsible Company Seal (EHR) – Argentina 2026 Edition, aiming to foster improved water management and sustainability practices within the productive sector. |
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| Lab-based study tests new methods for measuring biofilm in drinking water pipes |
| A recent study by KWR and TU Delft researchers introduces and evaluates two novel, non-intrusive approaches for estimating biofilm thickness in drinking water distribution pipes. |
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| Exploring criticality, resilience, and priorisation of components in interdependent infrastructure systems |
| What originally started as a literature review section in a modelling framework paper, evolved into a standalone paper exploring the current state-of-the-art approaches to the prioritisation of components (assets) in interdependent infrastructure systems. |
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| Organising cross-sectoral dialogues for policy integration |
On the basis of a water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEVE) nexus conceptual framework, 4 key questions addressing 11 conditions for successful cross-sector dialogue have been developed offering water managers an integrated approach to facilitate cooperation not only between different sectors but also between countries.
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| What should you look out for? |
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In the coming months, look out for exciting events and activities.
- Water Loss 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (25-28 April 2-26)
- IWA Nutrient Removal and Recovery Conference 2026 in Delft, The Netherlands (16-20 May 2026)
- Global Water Summit 2026 in Madrid, Spain (18-20 May 2026)
- 11th International Conference on Sewer Processes and Networks in Trondheim, Norway (19-21 May 2026)
- 10th International Conference on Flood Management in London, Canada (22-26 May 2026)
- 14th Micropol and Ecohazard Conference 2026 in Toronto, Canada (30 May - 3 June 2026)
- 19th IWA World Conference on Anaerobic Digestion: Fueling Sustainability in Valencia, Spain (8-12 June 2026)
- Quebec Hydrological Research Conference 2026 in Montréal, Canada (11-12 June 2026)
- 10th Water Resource Recovery Modelling Seminar in Barcelona, Spain (14-18 June 2026)
- INBO World Basin Summit 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (15-19 June 2026)
- IWA Particle Separation Conference in Sapporo, Japan (21-24 June 2026)
- Water in Industry 2026 in Delft, The Netherlands (27 June - 3 July 2026)
- 2nd IWA Conference on Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems in Palakkad, India (9-12 July 2026)
You can find a full list of events for 2026 here: www.watershare.eu/agenda. |
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Watershare partners continue to contribute to the development and exchange of new knowledge on diverse topics from alternative sources and water re-use, to water quality challenges, to the digital and technological transformation of the water sector.
Would you like to feature your activities, events, or opportunities in a Watershare newsletter? Then e-mail Raül Glotzbach (raul.glotzbach[at]kwrwater.nl).
You can also share your achievements with the Watershare Community by tagging us on us on X (@Water_share) and/or LinkedIn (@Watershare). |
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