About us
Water access and its related energy, environmental and economic issues are one of the greatest challenges for society today.
According to the 2030 Water Resources Group of the World Bank global water demand by 2030 is expected to exceed sustainable water supply. The WATER-MINING project aims to face this challenge and help ensure access to clean water and sanitation by developing innovative solutions for the sustainable use of alternative water sources, including urban and industrial wastewater and seawater desalination.
Objectives
38
partners
12
countries
6
case studies
4
year project
19.1M€
(16.9M € EU
contribution)
Partners
Advisory Board
Proferssor Carles Solà, UAB (ES)
Former rector and professor of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) and former Minister for Universities, Research and Society of the Catalan Government, Carles is an expert oin Experimental Economics, Behaviour Economics, Organiszational Behaviour, Business Economics and Behavioural Finance.
Paul O’ Callaghan, BlueTech Research (IE)
Founder of BlueTech Research in 2011 with the aim to support technological advancements in water management and help find the solutions needed to provide clean water and safe sanitation. Now, Paul works developing water strategies of top global corporation and carrying out market analysis, competitive benchmarking and technology due diligence.
Linda Macpherson, New Water ReSources (USA)
Founder and managing member of New Water ReSources as a vehicle for changing people’s thinking and behavior about water—especially water use and reuse. Linda currently is assistsing governments, utilities, service districts, and professional associations around the world as they communicate to stakeholders about sustainable water planning, management, and reuse.
Dr. Dionysia Avgerinopoulou, Hellenic Parliament
Greek politician with influence regarding environmental matters, currently serves as a member of the Greek Parliament as the Chairperson for the Special Permanent Committee of Environmental Protection of the Greek Parliament. Previously she served the Steering Committee of the Global Water Partnership Organization (GWPO) and the Head of Water of the Energy and Environment Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, (France).
Professor Neelke Doorn, TU Delft (NL)
Distinguished Antoni van Leeuwenhoek professor of ‘Ethics of Water Engineering’ at the Department of Ethics and Philosophy of Technology and Director of Education of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management. Neelke holds master’s degrees in Ccivil Eengineering (TU Delft 1997, cum laude), Pphilosophy (Leiden 2005, cum laude), and Law (Open University 2016, cum laude). In May 2011, she obtained her PhD degree from the TU Delft for her thesis on Moral Responsibility in R&D Networks.
Leland R. Widger, Cargill Salt (USA)
With a PhD in synthetic organic and bioinorganic chemist, Leland is a Senior researcher at Cargill Salt where is responsible for the development and commercialization of innovative products and?processes related to the food, water quality, road safety and industrial salt market and businesses worldwide.
Paul Eijsbouts, SABIC (NL/Saudi Arabia)
Process team leader at SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation). SABIC is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of chemicals, fertilisers, plastics and metals, silicones and glass-fibre reinforced polymer sheets. Paul served as the coordinator of the Brine Recovery project (LIFE06 ENV/NL/000178) where he managed to recover 73% of the salt and save 75% of indirect energy.
Professor Joyce Tait, Edinburgh University (UK)
Founding Director of the Innogen Centre/Institute, Joyce has an interdisciplinary background linking natural and social sciences with particular interests in supporting development of advanced innovative technologies capable of delivering both economic and societal benefits. She has worked on strategic planning for innovation; governance, risk management, regulation and standards; and stakeholder attitudes and influences.
Dr. Cristinel Deregatu, EUROPIREN (NL)
With a PhD in chemical engineering and experience in water treatment, Cristinel is responsible for the research activity of the EUROPIREN company in the Rotterdam laboratory that is actively looking for synthetic magnesium hydroxide with a higher purity than brucite, which can be used in applications where brucite (a natural mineral) cannot.
Corinne Van Voorden, Climate, Water, Circular Economy, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (NL)
Innovation Advisor for the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Corinne supports companies, knowledge institutes, governmental and non-governmental parties with the development of multidisciplinary European water, climate action and circular economy projects. She advises on strategic partnerships, innovation and European funding. She holds degrees in Engineering Management and Social Sciences and has previously worked for engineering and consulting companies on water business projects.
Koen de Kruif, DCMR Environmental Protection Agency (NL)
Environmental scientist in the field of water pollution and energy studies. For 20 years he has worked for the DCMR regional environmental protection agency as a senior advisor in sustainability and environmental quality in the field of international relations and since 2015, on circular economy where he aims to achieve increased sustainability within industry and small – medium sized enterprises, decreasing barriers and improving awareness and investment activities.
Frans Goorman, NEDMAG B.V.(NL)
Senior advisor and business development manager at NEDMAG B.V. a company that produces high-quality dead burned magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium hydroxide and sells in Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia.
Proferssor Carles Solà, UAB (ES)
Former rector and professor of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) and former Minister for Universities, Research and Society of the Catalan Government, Carles is an expert oin Experimental Economics, Behaviour Economics, Organiszational Behaviour, Business Economics and Behavioural Finance.
Paul O’ Callaghan, BlueTech Research (IE)
Founder of BlueTech Research in 2011 with the aim to support technological advancements in water management and help find the solutions needed to provide clean water and safe sanitation. Now, Paul works developing water strategies of top global corporation and carrying out market analysis, competitive benchmarking and technology due diligence.
Linda Macpherson, New Water ReSources (USA)
Founder and managing member of New Water ReSources as a vehicle for changing people’s thinking and behavior about water—especially water use and reuse. Linda currently is assistsing governments, utilities, service districts, and professional associations around the world as they communicate to stakeholders about sustainable water planning, management, and reuse.
Dr. Dionysia Avgerinopoulou, Hellenic Parliament
Greek politician with influence regarding environmental matters, currently serves as a member of the Greek Parliament as the Chairperson for the Special Permanent Committee of Environmental Protection of the Greek Parliament. Previously she served the Steering Committee of the Global Water Partnership Organization (GWPO) and the Head of Water of the Energy and Environment Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, (France).
Professor Neelke Doorn, TU Delft (NL)
Distinguished Antoni van Leeuwenhoek professor of ‘Ethics of Water Engineering’ at the Department of Ethics and Philosophy of Technology and Director of Education of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management. Neelke holds master’s degrees in Ccivil Eengineering (TU Delft 1997, cum laude), Pphilosophy (Leiden 2005, cum laude), and Law (Open University 2016, cum laude). In May 2011, she obtained her PhD degree from the TU Delft for her thesis on Moral Responsibility in R&D Networks.
Leland R. Widger, Cargill Salt (USA)
With a PhD in synthetic organic and bioinorganic chemist, Leland is a Senior researcher at Cargill Salt where is responsible for the development and commercialization of innovative products and?processes related to the food, water quality, road safety and industrial salt market and businesses worldwide.
Paul Eijsbouts, SABIC (NL/Saudi Arabia)
Process team leader at SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation). SABIC is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of chemicals, fertilisers, plastics and metals, silicones and glass-fibre reinforced polymer sheets. Paul served as the coordinator of the Brine Recovery project (LIFE06 ENV/NL/000178) where he managed to recover 73% of the salt and save 75% of indirect energy.
Professor Joyce Tait, Edinburgh University (UK)
Founding Director of the Innogen Centre/Institute, Joyce has an interdisciplinary background linking natural and social sciences with particular interests in supporting development of advanced innovative technologies capable of delivering both economic and societal benefits. She has worked on strategic planning for innovation; governance, risk management, regulation and standards; and stakeholder attitudes and influences.
Dr. Cristinel Deregatu, EUROPIREN (NL)
With a PhD in chemical engineering and experience in water treatment, Cristinel is responsible for the research activity of the EUROPIREN company in the Rotterdam laboratory that is actively looking for synthetic magnesium hydroxide with a higher purity than brucite, which can be used in applications where brucite (a natural mineral) cannot.
Corinne Van Voorden, Climate, Water, Circular Economy, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (NL)
Innovation Advisor for the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Corinne supports companies, knowledge institutes, governmental and non-governmental parties with the development of multidisciplinary European water, climate action and circular economy projects. She advises on strategic partnerships, innovation and European funding. She holds degrees in Engineering Management and Social Sciences and has previously worked for engineering and consulting companies on water business projects.
Koen de Kruif, DCMR Environmental Protection Agency (NL)
Environmental scientist in the field of water pollution and energy studies. For 20 years he has worked for the DCMR regional environmental protection agency as a senior advisor in sustainability and environmental quality in the field of international relations and since 2015, on circular economy where he aims to achieve increased sustainability within industry and small – medium sized enterprises, decreasing barriers and improving awareness and investment activities.
Frans Goorman, NEDMAG B.V.(NL)
Senior advisor and business development manager at NEDMAG B.V. a company that produces high-quality dead burned magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium hydroxide and sells in Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia.
FAQs
WATER-MINING is a research and innovation project that develops energy-efficient technologies for treating wastewater from urban and industrial areas and from desalination, whilst promoting the extraction of valuable products from the residues generated during the process.
The project is called WATER-MINING because as well as finding sustainable methods to treat wastewater and obtain alternatives sources of usable water, the project does so while recovering (MINING) valuable products from the residues generated during the process.
The project started on the 1st September 2020 and lasts for four, years until the 31st August 2024. With a total budget of 19.1 million euros the project is partially funded (16.9 million euros) by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
The project is coordinated by the Delft University of Technology from the Netherlands and brings together 38 public and private partners and four linked third parties from 12 countries across Europe.
Expectations for the project include the development of innovative technologies for: 1) a more energy-efficient and less polluting desalination process, 2) more sustainable techniques for extracting valuable products from urban wastewater residues such as phosphates and other bio-based valuables products, and 3) producing pollution-free industrial wastewater by using a Zero-Liquid-Discharge loop system.
In addition to these innovative methodologies the project expectations to increase public awareness about water management services, promote new circular economy business models within the wastewater cycle, attract public and private funding for the scaling-up of the methodologies developed, and develop adequate policy and regulatory documents for the implementation of the methodologies developed.
By finding new ways to access usable water, the project increases access to clean water and sanitation – a basic right that benefits every citizen. In addition, administrative bodies that are interested in improving the water management may also be interested in the outcomes of the project, positively impacting those who live in their regions. Finally, there is a business opportunity for SMEs and other companies with interest in the scaling-up of the methodologies and the market generated by these new sources of bio-based valuable products.
One of the main objectives of the project is to create new circular economy business models within the wastewater cycle. To do so, the project aims to improve the energy efficiency of water management processes and to enhance the recovery of valuable products from the residues; the project then find solutions for their reuse through the creation of a dedicated marketplace where potential producers and buyers of these valuable products can meet and interact.
If you are interested in project updates you can visit our website or follow us on social media (Twitter and LinkedIn). If you’d like to announce upcoming events or news related to WATER-MINING’s areas of interest you can share this with us via this form (link). Finally, if you’d like to contact the project’s management or communications team, please send an email to info@watermining.eu.
A WATER-MINING CoP is a group of diverse experts who share an interest in water issues. Participants in the CoPs interact regularly to exchange knowledge and develop ideas, contributing to innovative solutions for sustainable water management.
By joining a WATER-MINING CoP you connect with a network of stakeholders including end-users; technology providers; representative from the agriculture, energy and water sectors; regulators; local and regional authorities; and researchers. You will have the opportunity to build synergies and new professional relationships, and exchange knowledge with this diverse group. Furthermore, being involved in an EU project CoP can improve your
professional visibility in an international context.
WATER-MINING CoPs offer the chance to share your knowledge and ideas, and discuss the water issues and solutions addressed by the CoP during regular meetings. Furthermore, you can participate and contribute to knowledge exchange activities organised by the project as a key stakeholder.