Dutch Water Crisis: University of Twente Professor Urges Investment in Innovative Technologies to Secure Clean Water Future

Dutch Water Crisis: University of Twente Professor Urges Investment in Innovative Technologies to Secure Clean Water Future

(IN BRIEF) Professor Wiebe de Vos of the University of Twente has highlighted the urgent need to invest in innovative water technologies to address the Netherlands’ growing water crisis. Despite having some of the world’s best drinking water, the country’s surface water quality is among the worst in Europe. Climate change and water shortages have already led some regions to restrict drinking water access for new businesses, and new residential areas could soon face similar issues. De Vos emphasizes the importance of investing in advanced membrane technologies, which can purify polluted water and provide alternative sources of clean water, to prevent a national drinking water shortage by 2030.

(PRESS RELEASE) ENSCHEDE, 19-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Netherlands is facing an increasing water crisis, with both quantity and quality issues threatening the country’s drinking water supply. Professor Wiebe de Vos, newly appointed at the University of Twente, highlighted these urgent concerns during his inaugural lecture on September 19, 2024. He emphasized the need for significant investments in innovative water technologies to secure the future availability of clean water.

Although the Netherlands boasts some of the highest-quality drinking water in the world, its surface water, such as lakes and rivers, ranks among the worst in Europe. Additionally, extreme weather events driven by climate change have exacerbated the country’s water challenges. In recent years, regions like Twente, Utrecht, and parts of Brabant have been forced to deny new businesses access to drinking water due to shortages. De Vos warns that if no action is taken, new residential developments could also face water shortages, with nearly the entire country at risk by 2030.

De Vos emphasized that innovations from Twente, particularly in the area of membrane technology, could help prevent a future water crisis. His research group, Membrane Surface Science, has developed highly selective membranes capable of efficiently removing pollutants such as PFAS and medicine residues, while retaining valuable minerals in the water. These membranes can even purify industrial wastewater, offering a sustainable solution by reusing it.

This promising technology has already been commercialized by Twente-based companies Pentair X-Flow and NX Filtration, which are leading the global market for clean water membranes. De Vos asserts that investing in such cutting-edge water technologies is essential to safeguarding the future supply of clean drinking water in the Netherlands.

In his lecture, titled “Assemble to Separate,” De Vos called for immediate action to address the impending water crisis, stressing that only by prioritizing innovation and investment now can the country ensure sufficient clean water for the future.

Media Contact:

K.W. Wesselink – Schram MSc (Kees)
Science Communication Officer
+31 53 489 9311
k.w.wesselink@utwente.nl

SOURCE: University of Twente