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Position Paper

European Innovation

Partnership on WaterInsights and current initiatives in the Netherlands



1

Executive SummaryThe aim of the EIP on Water is to speed up innovations that make a significant contribution to solving societal

and environmental water challenges. In doing so, Europe’s competitiveness should be enhanced, contributingto job creation and economic growth. This position paper is written to outline water challenges and to

describe key priority areas to boost economic development. The goal is to present the issues that are of added

value for the Netherlands to join forces in the European Union. The aim is to stimulate cooperation and

innovation in Europe.

Key Priority AreaThe EIP on Water is structured around three work packages: urban, rural and industrial water management.

The stakeholders involved in writing this position paper identified the following themes as having the most

added value for the Netherlands to solve the European water challenges.

1. Resource (Re)use

Water Use, Reuse & Recovery

Recent studies show that competing demands for scarce water

resources may lead to an estimated 40% global water supply

shortage by 2030, also affecting large parts of Europe. The waterdemand of different sectors has to decrease. Next to water

efficiency, the reuse of water in rural, urban and industrial areas

is of importance as well. In addition, recovery from waste water

of energy and scarce components such as nutrients, metals and

bio solids plays an important role.

2. Sustainable Resources

Water Quality

A substantial proportion of Europe’s freshwaters resources are at risk of not achieving the objectives of the

EU Water Framework Directive by 2015. In addition new risks for public or ecosystem health arise by the

occurrence, persistency, bio-accumulation and toxicity of “new” substances such as pesticides and der ivate,hormones, medicines, micro- and nano-plastic particles. Therefore a focus on advanced water treatment is

needed, especially for water streams on side like in hospitals (urban) and greenhouses (industry).

Water Supply

Water scarcity and droughts affect one third of the EU territory across different latitudes. A substantial

European part of the fresh waters are also at risk. Growing water demand and climate changes increase these

risks. The management of infrastructures and the use of fresh water capacities ((underground) storage and

desalination) is another important topic, for rural and urban areas. The Netherlands is working in this area in

de Delta Programme, Theme Water availability. Cross cutting issues emerge with agriculture, where the

Dutch agriculture sector moves specifically to the production of more products with less water (industry).

3.

Water Security

The rise of the sea level in combination with subsidence and increasing unstable precipitations, population

increase, have an influence delta and coastal regions. More people and assets are at risks. The protection of

delta regions against floods is therefore getting even more important. In the Netherlands an integrated

approach is chosen and considers river basins: we create and exploit opportunities in spatial development,

for economic, societal and cultural gain (for instance by combining reinforcement with developing new

nature, improvement of fish migration, constructing cycling- and footpaths, and exploit opportunities for new

energy concepts such as solar energy, tidal energy and blue energy).



2

Key Cross Cutting Themes

1. Water Information

Achieving resource efficiency goals requires water information at industry, urban, rural and river basin level.

Solutions to making water information readily available for policy and design, steering water adaptation and

water use and crisis management are needed but due to lack of standards very costly. New sensoring and ICT

technologies trigger innovations in water sensoring and information services, both for policy and strategicanalysis as well as for real time operations in water using industries, like agriculture, for early warning and

provision of real time information for extreme events. Current investments and experiences include: The

National Modelling and Data Centre (NMDC), smart sensoring innovations, flood and drought early warning

systems, information for agriculture steering, etc.

2. Governance

The Netherlands has experience with integrated policies for climate change, flood protection, water resources

in the National Water Plan, The Delta Programme and the National Water Agreement between local

authorities, water authorities and national government. In these policies the long-term issues of the rising sea

level, changes in climate and threats of deterioration of water supplies, drought and flooding are formulated

in scenario’s and options for action.

3. Cross sector cooperation

Water Energy Food - nexus

Water can be seen as connecting element. Stimulating an integral and chain oriented approach highlights the

need to focus on cross sector cooperation, especially with industry, such as agriculture, food ,energy and

healthcare. Water is strongly linked with food and energy. Development of economies requires more water by

energy, industrial and urban systems. Collaborative action is needed to deal with the Water – Energy – Food

nexus and to ensure sustained economic growth.

Enabling Delta Life

Worldwide, delta areas have developed into important centres of high activity. There is a growing awarenessthat the different elements of delta areas – soil, subsurface, and surface and ground water – are all connected

and different interests – of industry and citizens - have to be served and balanced. The focus is on cross sector

cooperation with water as part of the infrastructural assets and healthy ecosystems. Managing delta areas

asks for a multidisciplinary, systems approach, thereby considering the different transition levels.

Entrepreneurship & InnovationInnovation is nowadays a process of joint development,

a combination of scientific excellence with commercial relevance.

Therefore a Technology Push approach focusing on stimulating

knowledge and product development has to be balanced with a

Market Pull approach, and by that decrease ‘time to market’. There

is a strong need to find new ways for cooperation between SMEs

and multinationals, (public/private) end users and knowledgeinstitutes for implementation and especially commercialization of

innovative solutions. The Top Sector Water enhances cooperation

between companies, government agencies and research institutes.

There is a strong need, for the EIP on Water to demonstrate and to

present Europe as the home market for innovative solutions for

water challenges worldwide.



3

Index

Executive summary

Preface 4

Part A European and Dutch perspectives and policies

1. European policy documents 6

2. European Instruments 9

3. Innovation and Innovation Barriers 13

4. SWOT Analysis – Dutch water sector 15

5. European Networks 17

6. Europe and beyond 19

Part B Challenges on Water

EIP Challenges and Dutch Initiatives 21

1. Water (Re)use 24

2. Water Quality 25

3. Water Supply 27

4. Water Security 30

5. Water Information 31

6. Governance 33

Part C Overview of Initiatives



4

Preface

The European Innovation Partnership on Water (EIP on Water) provides for a strategic approach

and framework to address the weaknesses in the European research and innovation system related

to water in order to speed up innovations that make a significant contribution to solving societal

and environmental challenges. In doing so, Europe’s competitiveness should be enhanced,contributing to job creation and economic growth. Besides, the EIP on Water will facilitate the

search for innovative solutions in support of an effective EU water policy. The EIP on Water is a

means to pool expertise and resources on key political priorities by mobilizing and linking up all

relevant stakeholders across policies, sectors and borders to bring the benefits of breakthrough

innovations to people more quickly.

The Dutch water sector is an important player in European water sector and has a widely

recognized reputation related to solving local, regional, national and international water challenges.

Centuries of experiences with water challenges in the Netherlands and the expertise of the sector

can provide valuable information for the Strategic Implementation Plan which is going to be

adopted by the High Level Steering Group. This position paper is written in order to support the

Dutch members of the High Level Groups with information about current projects in theNetherlands which can be related to the content of the Strategic Implementation Plan. The first part

of the position paper describes the most important European and national networks related to

water, financing mechanisms, important background documents and initiatives. Furthermore, this

part describes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Dutch water sector and

innovation barriers experienced by the sector. The second part of the position paper describes the

current themes, activities and challenges of the Dutch water sector. These descriptions are going to

be specified in the last part of the position paper. Concrete initiatives are described in detail in the

attached factsheets.

The preparatory phase of this position paper has encouraged a lot of stakeholders from small and

medium sized companies, knowledge and research institutes and public actors to contribute in

cooperation to this position paper. We are aware that the Netherlands is just one partner in thedecision-making and implementation process of the European Innovation Partnership on Water.

We are keen to enter into discussion with other EU countries, regions and cities on the

collaboration in the European Innovation Partnership on Water.



5



6

Part A

1. European policy documents

A short outline is presented on the European policy on ‘growth’ which is reflected in the Europe2020 strategy. This strategy has been translated into seven flagships with different policy

recommendations and action plans. The Europe 2020 strategy forms the basis for multi-annual

financial framework as well as the European research and innovation agenda (see EU funding).

Europe 2020 strategy

Europe 2020 is the European Union’s ten-year growth strategy. The strategy was developed to

overcome the crisis, to address the shortcomings of the European growth model and create

conditions for a different type of growth that is smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive.

Five key targets have been set for the EU to achieve by the end of the decade:

1. To raise the employment rate of the population aged 20–64 from the current 69% to at least

75%.

2. To achieve the target of investing 3% of GDP in R&D in particular by improving the

conditions for R&D investment by the private sector, and develop a new indicator to track

innovation.

3. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% compared to 1990 levels or by 30% if

the conditions are right, increase the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption

to 20%, and achieve a 20% increase in energy efficiency.

4. To reduce the share of early school leavers to 10% from the current 15% and increase the

share of the population aged 30–34 having completed tertiary from 31% to at least 40%.

5. To reduce the number of Europeans living below national poverty lines by 25%, lifting 20

million people out of poverty.6. The strategy also includes seven ‘flagship initiatives’ providing a framework through which

the EU and national authorities mutually reinforce their efforts in areas supporting the

Europe 2020 priorities:

Europe has identified new engines to boost growth and jobs. These areas are addressed by 7

flagship initiatives. Within each initiative, both the EU and national authorities have to coordinate

their efforts so they are mutually reinforcing.

Smart growth: (1) Digital agenda for Europe , (2) Innovation Union and (3) Youth on

the move;

Sustainable growth: (4) Resource efficient Europe and (5) An industrial policy for the

globalization eraInclusive growth: (6) An agenda for new skills and (7) jobs and European platform

against poverty

http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/targets/index_en.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%26D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas_emissions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_consumption

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efficient_energy_use

http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/flagship-initiatives/index_en.htm



http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/priorities/smart-growth/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/digital-agenda/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union/index_en.cfm

http://europa.eu/youthonthemove/index_en.htm


http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/priorities/sustainable-growth/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/resource-efficient-europe/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/industrial-competitiveness/industrial-policy/index_en.htm


http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/priorities/inclusive-growth/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=958

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=961&langId=en




http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=958

http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/priorities/inclusive-growth/index_en.htm



http://ec.europa.eu/resource-efficient-europe/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/priorities/sustainable-growth/index_en.htm



http://ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union/index_en.cfm

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/digital-agenda/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/priorities/smart-growth/index_en.htm



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_consumption

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas_emissions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%26D

http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/targets/index_en.htm



7

Innovation Union

The Innovation Union Flagship will insure that innovative ideas are turned into products and

services that that create growth and jobs and address Europe’s major social challenges. The

Innovation Union contains 13 key initiatives with over 30 action points including the European

Innovation Partnerships. Most important to the EIP are:

Radically improving the framework conditions for R&D (Horizon 2020) and reducing time-to-

market;

Fully exploiting non-technological innovation (e.g. services, design)

Concentrating on what works and using public funding to leverage private R&D (e.g. the EU

Risk Sharing Finance Facility)

Cutting red-tape in EU and national research programs, so that scientists can spend more time

in the lab and businessmen expanding in new markets

Prioritizing resources around major societal challenges, i.e. through European Innovation

Partnerships;

The developing of an Eco-innovation Action Plan focusing on the specific bottlenecks,

challenges and opportunities for achieving environmental objectives through innovation.

Resource efficient Europe:The flagship initiative for a resource-efficient and its roadmap help to decouple economic growth

from the use of resources, by decarbonizing the economy, increasing the use of renewable sources,

modernizing the transport sector and promoting energy efficiency.

The Flagship provides a long-term framework for actions in many policy areas, supporting policy

agendas for climate change, energy, transport, industry, raw materials, agriculture, fisheries,

biodiversity and regional development. This is to increase certainty for investment and innovation

and to ensure that all relevant policies factor in resource efficiency in a balanced manner.

Most important proposals in the Road Map are:

Further integrate resource-efficiency considerations into water policy, with a Blueprint tosafeguard Europe's water defining a cost-effective strategy (on-going), see Blueprint Water;

Assess Member States‘ RBMPs with a view to identifying areas where addi tional action is

needed

Water efficiency targets and improved efficiency measures (e.g. smart metering, mandatory

requirements on water using devices: guidelines for water re-use, reduction of leakage in water

infrastructure, water saving in irrigation etc..

Better demand management through economic instruments (pricing, water allocation) and

use of labeling and certification schemes measuring life-cycle impact and virtual water content

of products;

A candidate European Innovation Partnership on water.

The Commission also identifies interlinks between different sectors (energy, food, buildings andmobility).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy



8

An industrial policy for the globalization era

The flagship sets out a strategy that aims to boost growth and jobs by maintaining and supporting a

strong, diversified and competitive industrial base in Europe offering well-paid jobs while

becoming more resource efficient. The flagship initiative highlights ten key actions for European

industrial competitiveness. Among others:

Making it easier for SMEs to access credit and help their internationalization;

A new strategy on raw materials creating the right framework conditions for sustainable

supply and management of domestic primary raw materials;

Addressing sector-specific innovation performance with specific actions, in such areas as

advanced manufacturing technologies, construction, bio-fuels and road and rail transport,

particularly in view of improving resource efficiency;

Reporting on Europe’s and Member State's competitiveness, industrial policies and

performances on an annual basis.

Specific initiatives of interest to the EIP

Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources

2012 has been declared the European year for “water”. Within this context, DG Environment

intends to launch a new water strategy: The Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources”.With the Blueprint the EU has the objective to conduct an assessment of the EU Water policy. The

Blueprint will synthesize policy recommendations building on four on-going assessments regarding

both water quality and quantity. The time horizon of the Blueprint is 2020 since it is closely related

to the EU 2020 Strategy and in particular tot the Resource Efficiency Roadmap. The Blue print will

be the water milestone of the Roadmap. There is a strong link between the Blueprint and EIP on

Water. The Strategic Implementation Plan of the EIP on Water should contain the innovation

priorities of the Blueprint.

The Communication on the Blueprint will be published on 26 and 27 November 2012. The

Communication will propose policy options to safeguard the European water resources. At thispoint of time, it is still unclear which policy options the Commission will propose.

The approach of the Commission will be on a better implementation, better integration and

completion of EU water policy:

Implementation: Harmonization of monitoring and reporting, guidelines for water pricing

and recovery of costs, and guidelines for water allocation and trade on the river basin level,

the implementation of a warning system and the use of satellites for status, pressures and

illegal water extraction activities.

Integration: ‘mainstreaming’ of water policy, including CAP and Cohesion policy.

Completion (filling gaps): The Commission proposes water efficient buildings, standards for

tapes and showerheads under the EcoDesign Directive and the EIP on Water.

The position of the Netherlands will be formed after the proposals of the Commission have beenformalized. NL opposes new European water legislation and is of the opinion that emphasis should

be laid on implementation, synergy and new challenges.





9

Eco-innovation Action Plan

The Eco-innovation Action Plan develops actions under the Europe 2020 "Innovation Union" and

"Resource Efficiency" flagships. It proposes measures to target eco-innovation specific barriers and

drivers. The aim of the Plan is to deliver efficient solutions for environmental problems, improving

European resource efficiency while opening new opportunities for business. One of the actions is to

connect the action plan to the different EIP’s, and to create networks of public - and private-sector

procurers and purchasers.

In 2011, An EIO Thematic Report ‘Water innovation’ was released, concerning ‘How Eco-innovation

can contribute to the sustainability of Europe’s water resources’. Funding for eco-innovation will

continue under the current EU multiannual financial framework 2007-2013, for instance through

the Competitiveness and Innovation Programmes (CIP) and the LIFE Programme. For the next EU

financial cycle (2014 – 2020) eco-innovation will be supported under two specific Horizon 2020

Programmes – "Tackling Societal Challenges" and "Creating industrial leadership and competitive

frameworks". From 2014 the Commission aims to increase various kinds of assistance and support

for eco-innovation.

2. European InstrumentsThe communication on the EIP on Water indicates that the EIP has to look into funding from EU,

national and regional level as well as private sources, for example through making use of the

network of eco-innovation financiers, established under the Eco-Innovation Action Plan, see Policy.

The EC considers relevant support for the activities under the EIP through the 7th Framework

Programme, whereas the Member States are encouraged to include relevant investments in the

future programmes under the Structural Funds 2014-2020.

This coheres with the Dutch Innovation policy to align the Structural Funds with the different Top

sectors. This also means that the Top sector Water has to join forces with the regional key-players.

The Ministry of EL&I proposes to facilitate this process by appointing liaison officers between top

teams and regional parties. This chapter provides an overview of the different funds and their

relationship with EU Strategy 2020, see chapter 1 European Policy.

Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2014-2020

The proposed overall EU budget for the 2014 – 2020 period is outlined in the Table below. Ongoing

difficult negotiations on this budget mean that the size of the individual funds is not likely to be

clear until the end of 2012.

Billion €

Smart and inclusive growth 491

Horizon 2020 80

European Social Fund (ESF) 83,8

Cohesion fund (NL cannot apply for this fund) 68,7

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 366,3Territorial Cohesion 254,6

Less developed regions 162,6

Transition regions 38,9

More developed regions 53,1

Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) 11,7

A Cross-border cooperation 73%



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B Transnational cooperation 21%

C Interregional cooperation 6%

Trans-European Transport Networks /Energy/ICT 40

Sustainable growth: natural resources 383

The European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) 285

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

(EAFRD)

88

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 6,5

Environment and Climate action (Life+) 3,6

Environment 2,7

Climate action 0,9

Horizon 2020

Horizon 2020 is the common strategic programme for R&D, bringing together three separate

programmes/initiatives1. It couples research to innovation with focus on the societal challenges.

Horizon 2020 has three priorities:

1. Excellent science

Focus is on individual researchers and research infrastructure

2. Industrial leadership

Focus on key technologies, attraction of private investment in R&D and more innovative SMEs

3. Societal challenges

Concerns EU policy/social objectives which cannot be achieved without innovation. The societal

challenges are divided into 7 themes. The themes of most interest are:

Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research & bioeconomy;

Secure, clean and efficient energy;

Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials

Climate Adaptation StrategyAt the end of 2009, the Commission produced a major report (a White Paper) that outlined future

EU-level approaches to adaptation. The report described over 30 actions it should begin to put into

practice across its various policies, ranging from awareness-raising efforts, to the development of a

comprehensive information system on adaptation. DG CLIMA is working with relevant experts from

different countries and sectors to develop a comprehensive adaptation strategy based on its White

Paper, for release in 2013. It should further refine the key priorities for action and how EU policies

in all areas can encourage effective adaptation action.The EU’s role in this strategy is to spread

knowledge on climate change impacts and risks and to provide guidance on best approaches.

Furthermore, the Commission will coordinate national activities, particularly when it impacts cross

border issues such as river basins. It will ensure the adoption of legislation and targets and will

provide funding.

1The 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7), innovation aspects of Competitiveness and

Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), EU contribution to the European Institute of Innovation

and Technology (EIT)



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Common Strategic Framework (CSF)

The Commission brings funds of ERDF, ESF, EAFRD and EMFF under a single investment

framework, which the European Commission has called the Common Strategic Framework. This

Framework has 11 common objectives [aligned with the Europe 2020 strategy], set out in the table

below. The Common Strategic Framework is to be translated into a “Partnership Agreement” or“Partnership Contract” by each EU Member State. Thereafter, the partnership contracts should be

worked out into Operational Programmes (Ops).

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to strengthen economic, social and

territorial cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between regions. The ERDF

supports regional and local development to contribute to the 11 thematic objectives.

Territorial cohesion

More developed regions (NL) have to focus on three of the eleven priorities (80% of funds):

Innovation

SME competitiveness Renewables and energy efficiency (at least 20%)

And additionally at least 5% on sustainable urban development.

NL is divided into four regions: North, South, East and West. Each region prepares an Operational

Programme (OP). A smart specialization strategy (S3) is required for the investment of regional



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funds into R&I. The strategy described how regional innovation can be enhanced and how different

European, national and regional instruments and funds could be used. Important criteria are:

A national and regional strategy for R&I;

Concentration of funds on an limit number of R&I priorities;

Measures to promote private investments;

A monitoring and review system is in place

Synergy with Horizon 2020

The four largest NL-cities will take care of the 5% sustainable urban development. The drafts of the

Operational plans show the following focus:

North: Watertechnology, Healthy Aging and Agribusiness;

East: AgroFood, health, High Tech Systems and Materials;

South: AgroFood, High Tech Systems and Materials and Chemistry;

West: All top sectors, emphasis on cross over Biobased and ICT.

The 80% versions of the Ops should be ready by November. The Ministry of EL&I coordinates. One

of the objectives is to link the top sector water goals with regional innovation strategies.

Territorial Cooperation (interreg)

Interreg is designed to stimulate cooperation between member states of the European Union on

different levels. One of the main targets is to diminish the influence of national borders in favor of

economic, social and cultural development of the whole territory of the European Union. Interreg is

made up of three strands:

Strand A: cross-border cooperation between adjacent regions aims to develop cross-border social

and economic centers through common development strategies.

Strand B: transnational cooperation involving national, regional and local authorities aim to

promote integration within the Union through the formation of large groups of European region.

Mainly, non-contiguous regions from different countries cooperate because they experience joint or

comparable problems.

Strand C: interregional cooperation aims to improve the effectiveness of regional development

policies and instruments through large-scale information exchange and sharing experience

(networks) .The ministry of EL&me coordinates strand A. Strand B and C are coordinated by the

Ministry of IenM.

Common agricultural policy (EAGF and EAFRD)The agricultural expenditure is financed by two funds, which form part of the EU's general budget:

The European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) finances direct payments to farmers and

measures to regulate agricultural markets such as intervention and export refunds (pillar 1), while

the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) finances the rural development

programmes of the Member States (pillar 2).The basic two pillar structure of the CAP will be

maintained. The largest change is the greening of direct payments. This means that 30% of direct

support will be made conditional on ‘greening’ that means help the EU to deliver on its



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environmental and climate action objectives. The second pillar will be more focused on

competiveness and innovation, climate change and the environment. EAFRD will be included into

the common strategic framework for structural funds. The priorities for the EAFRD can be found in

Table 2.

3. Innovation and Innovation Barriers

This section of the position paper describes barriers to innovation; the main reference is the

Roadmap on a Resource Efficient Europe and insights from a report developed by the OECD on

Innovation Strategies (2010).

The creation of a new market, achieving the first-mover advantage or breaking down the old

market balance with new superior products or processes can all be characterized as innovations.

An innovation takes place when a total new or significantly improved product or service is

introduced to the market, or when a new or significantly improved production method is

introduced. Innovation is a distinct combination of an invention and its successful introduction to

the market. After an invention has emerged, its implementation may be expensive, difficult or

unacceptable to social standards. From a decentralized perspective, governments play a role in the

stimulation, co-financing and support of research initiatives. The risks associated with innovating,

may be too high (especially for SME’s) in order to be able to bring them to the market. In order topromote innovation, an important task is the removal of barriers that hinder the implementation of

invention into innovation and the desired market up. Barriers could be defined on different levels

ranging from the abstract European level to the concrete organizational level.

In order to place the innovation barriers in a broader context, we introduce the cyclic innovation

model used by the Dutch water sector. A fundamental characteristic of the approach is the handling

of innovation as a cyclic process and not a chain (see below). Science (push) or the market (pull)

are both not at the beginning or the end of the chain; both are part of a creative, complex and

dynamic process. Innovation is built around by four nodes, scientific exploration, technological

research, and industrial product development and market transitions. Hard and soft science as well

as engineering and commercialization are used to enable innovations in the Dutch water sector.

Entrepreneurship plays a central role; without entrepreneurship there is no innovation. Hence,there is an importance of involving SMEs while focusing on innovation. SMEs (or SME affiliates of

international companies/multinationals) are the drivers behind the innovation process and provide

in most cases the necessary innovative solutions in the water sector.



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With the EIP focusing on supporting innovations, it is important to work on the following barriers

identified by the Dutch water sector as essential. The barriers are focused in first instance on SME’s.

However, subsequently barriers will be highlighted concerning the government, rules & regulations

and the protection of IPR’s.

Scientific isolation - Within the water sector a lack of fundamental research valorization can be

noticed. The connection between research and business must be improved. Little SME’s keeptrack of fundamental research suitable for their own research efforts, resulting in parallel

innovations and competition between research institutes and private companies on national and

European level.

Inadequate research funding - SME’s cannot benefit from substantial public support for researchactivities. Combined with the limited budget available in the company, budget cuts on research

are easily made hampering innovation.

Technology push paradigm - SMEs struggle to interact sufficiently with the supply chain and end

users to generate market intelligence in order to inform the product development process, and

to secure early adopter markets.

The proof of performance paradox - End users are difficult to convince by SME’s to test new

technology and act as first users or champions. The benefits of such a position could not be

highlighted using the current quality level of business plans. SME’s often take undesirable risksto get references with the new technologies.

Inadequate entrepreneurship capabilities - Innovators are often small organizations focused on

technology development, accelerating in R&D. However, the ability to make profit from

innovations through entrepreneurship, risk taking and smart business concepts is not always

available for small innovators.

The return on investment (ROI) and risk reduction trap - SME’s face difficulties convincing end

users with risk averse purchase policies to buy new technologies without proper tools to predict

the return on investment using tangible (i.e. cost reduction) and less tangible (i.e. reputation)

measures.

Lack of sustainable financial resources - Innovation is typically capital intensive and requires a

significant ‘cash burn’ phase before sales generation. SMEs face strong competition for public

and private sector finance and need to develop robust cash flow forecasts and strategic

partnerships to attract finance.

Legislation, Regulation & Standards – A slow, bureaucratic system makes it difficult to bring

innovation timely to the market. Strict standards on products and processes can slow down the

innovation process, because new impulses from R&D need to be integrated into the ingoing

process of standardization

Protection of IPR - Patents are particularly important for small firms, as they can facilitate entry

into new markets and enable competition and collaboration with other firms. IPR’s shoul d be

well protected and appropriately enforced. Weak protection of IPRs undermines incentives to

invest in innovation, facilitates counterfeiting and piracy, reduces the potential for technology

transfer and limits the formation of markets for knowledge.

Market uncertainties - Fiscal discipline and low and relatively stable inflation rates help reduce

uncertainty and enhance the efficiency of the price mechanism in allocating resources. Strong

and stable rates of output growth also support firms seeking to introduce new products or

undertake significant organizational changes.

Insufficient pressures to innovate – Changes take place normally as a response to external

pressure (competition, market demand, government regulation, etc). If the external pressure is

insufficient, innovators might not be aware of these and fail to response.



15

4. SWOT Analysis – Dutch water sector

In the following, a SWOT analysis will be presented in order to show the strengths, weaknesses,

opportunities and threats in the Dutch water sector. This analysis is based on a prior conducted

research in the paper Watervisie 2020.

Internal factors Strengths WeaknessesKnowledge and experience, high

level of education in water-related

topics

Low investment in R&D and

valorization of knowledge

The sector is internationally

oriented

Small basis for water construction

sector

Excellent international reputation Fragmented water sector

Great diversity of players in the

water sector

Tensions on the labor market

Organization capabilities and

strong governance

Innovative water sector

External factors Opportunities Threats

Climate adaptation Competition in upcoming deltacountries

Energy and Water - Limited access to a

number of major markets

More focus on efficient re(use) of

water and resources

- Limited willingness of

banking sector to finance

operations in foreign

countries

Rigorous rules and regulations,

strict retention and higher

environmental requirement

Takeover by foreign companies

More drinking water produced out

of sea water

No level playing field

Innovations related to othersectors, i.e. agriculture, ICT etc Imitation of technologies

More demand in decentralized

solutions

Investment in R&D according to

demand

Water education under pressure

Strengths of the Dutch water sector

The Dutch water sector shows a high level of knowledge and experience, organizational capability

and strong governance aspects. The sector is innovative, to an important extent internationally

oriented and enjoys a high reputation in the world. This reputation is mainly based on the

important facts of knowledge and expertise in the water construction field. In addition, the sector

shows important knowledge capacities in the water technology field in certain niches. This makes it

possible to deliver drinking water of top quality on the basis of qualitatively variable resources.

Furthermore, water management is organized in a way that the population does not have to worry

that a great amount of the country is below sea level. One should also mention the high level of

education in water-related topics that are internationally highly regarded. The Dutch water sector

shows a great diversity on market players (players from the triple helix/golden triangle) that work

together to solve water problems along the whole latitude.



16

Weaknesses of the Dutch water sector

In contrast to other countries, the Dutch water sector is lagging behind with private investments in

R&D and the valorization of knowledge. On top of that the water construction cluster has a

relatively small basis because of the limited amount of internationally operating companies. With

regard to the water technology sector, most of the companies are small to medium sized, especially

focused on niches in the market. This poses a challenge to realize critical mass and to realize the

collaboration between the water sector and other (sub-) sectors. Furthermore, the water sector is

facing a limited amount of incoming students to water-related study programs and the water

education is hindered to connect to the labor market.

Opportunities for the Dutch water sector

In particular the water sector is going to profit from the increasing investments into climate

adaptation measures like dams and storm surge barriers. Energy scarcity is offering opportunities

to integrate technologies that are producing energy out of water as well as technologies that make

it possible to deliver clean water with a low level of energy use. Companies operating in the water

technology sector can profit from the need to use water more efficiently and the reuse of resources.

On top of that, the strict international rules/regulations and higher environmental requirements

support the Dutch water sector, because experiences are established in this area. Moreover,

opportunities exist as well in the demand in producing drinking water out of sea water, and

decentralized solutions for water purification and wastewater treatment. Besides, the water sector

can grow further on opportunities related to the collaboration with other sectors, such as

agriculture etc.

Threats to the Dutch water sector

Concerning the worldwide market for water, Dutch water technology companies are facing great

challenges to cope with the big, international players from foreign countries. Companies operating

in delta technology are facing increasing threats from actors operating in upcoming economies.

Other countries could invest in “own” R&D concerning dominant water issues. Moreover, it is also

possible that Dutch companies can face imitation of their technologies, characterized by a lower

cost involved.



17

5. European Networks

Instrument Description Waterrelated

initiatives

Who is involved

ERA-net Cooperation in Research between

Member States (MS). ERA-nets can

issue joint calls. However, NL has

no or limit budget to fund calls.

Occasionally, EU tops calls: ERA-

NET+

SPLASH

CRUE

IVRM

CIRCLE Rob Schoonman (IenM)

Art 185. Some of the ERA-nets have

involved into Art 185 initiatives.

Art. 185 are co-decided. Eurostars

is part of Art. 185. Eurostars

stimulates cooperation of SME's

Eurostars Ministry of EL&I

Joint programming

(JPIs)

According to Potočnik (EU

commissioner Environment) ERA-

nets have too little impact and, he

called upon the MS to coordinate

research agendas themselves. As aresult, JPI's are a bottum-up

approach by MS. Funding by EC is

limited, but most MS speculate

upon funding form Horizon 2020.

Cooporation between EIP's and

JPI's is expected, since the same

issues are adressed, this holds esp.

on water related issues. JPI main

focus is on research; while that of

EIP is on innovation.

JPI overall Jos van Engelen (NWO,

High Level Group)

Peter Keet (EL&I, High

Level Group)Nynke

Cornelissen (OCW),Marije Wassenaar-

Verschuur (NWO), Sandra

de Wild-Chardonnens

(AgNL)

Jasper Wesseling/Freeke

Heijman - Te Paske

(EL&I)

JPI Water Renske Peters (IenM,

Governance Board),

Hans Kuypers (AgNL,

Executive Board),

Cees Buisman and Marc

Bierkens (ScientificBoard),

Maria Kennedy (Unesco-

IHE), Bernard Westerop

(NWO)

NWO, KNMI, PBL, UU

JPI Climate Vincent van den Bergen

(IenM)

Knowledge for Climate

NOW, Bernard Westerop

(NOW)

JPI Seas and

Oceans

Jasper Dalhuisen/Peter

Keet (EL&I); Pter van

Velzen (EL&I,Management Board)

Josef Stufer (OCW/NWO,

Management Board)

JPI Agriculture Louis Fliervoet (EL&I)

Christine Bunthof

(Wageningen-UR)



18

JPI Urban Europe Ad van Ommen (IenM)

TNO (Judith

Borsboom/Jan

Burgmeijer)

European

Technology

Platforms (ETPs)

The EC started ETP's to stimulate

involvement of the private sector,

esp.industry. ETP's draft strategicagendas to affect EU and national

research programming. EC are

influencial , but don't recieve

funding from EC

WssTP Theo van den Hoven

(KWR, vice-president)

Ipo Ritsema (Deltares,governanceboard)

TNO, UvW, VEWIN en

Norit (members)

EUREKA EUREKA is an intergovernmental

network launched in 1985, to

support market-oriented R&D and

innovation projects by industry,

research centres and universities

across all technological sectors. It

is composed of 41 members,

including the European

Community. EUREKA offersproject partners rapid access to

skills and expertise across Europe

and national public and private

funding schemes.

Acquea Durk Krol (President)

Theo van den Hoven

(KWR)

Knowledge and

Innovation Centres

(KICs)

The European Institute of

Innovation and Technology (EIT;

European equivalent of MIT)

approved on three KIC's, with a

budget of M€80 each.

KIC's are the independent but

operational part of the EIT, which

puts the innovation web into

practise.

KIC Climate Hero Prins (Deltares,

governance board)

Rob Schoonman (IenM);

Knowledge for Climate

European

Innovation

Partnerships (EIPs)

EIPs resulted from the Flagship

Innovation Union. One of the main

reasons of launching EIP's is the

slow process of the JPI's. EIPs are

in contract to JPIs coordinated by

the EC. EIPs should streamline R&I

and adress social and economic

challenges

EIP overall Helmy van Erp (EL&I)

EIP Water Cees Veerman (HLSG);

Menno Holterman

(Taskforce);

support EIP consultation

group (Olga Clevering,

IenM)

EIP Urban Cities

EIP Sustainable

Agriculture

Knowledge for

Climate

Hotspots in the Netherlands such

as Rotterdam Region are cases for

Pier Vellinga, Arnoud

Molenaar



19

research on climate adaptation

and developing climate adaptation

strategies

Connecting Delta

Cities

A global network within the

context of the C40 focusing on

climate proofing delta cities

Arnoud Molenaar

EWP European Water Partnership Tom Vereijken (Grontmij,

president)

NWP, different public and

private parties

Eureau European federation of national

drinking water and wastewater

associations

UvW

VEWIN, Jan Peter van der

Hoek

EurAqua European network of Freshwater

Research organisations

Ipo Ritsema (Deltares)

Aqua Europe A specialist association focused on

domestic and small-scale

commercial water treatment

Andre Reigersman

(RWB/AquaNederland)

ENCORE Environment Conference of the

Regions of Europe

Regional

Environmental

Managers

111 regions as members

EUWMA European Union of Water

Management Associations

Erik Kraay (Uni van

waterschappen), Esther

Boer (Unie van

Waterschappen), Paulien

Hartog (Waternet)

6. Europe and beyond

InternationalizationThe water sector operates in an international market and most of their business actually is

concentrated outside Europe (US, Japan, China, India, Brazil etc). Not including internationalization

and international cooperation makes the whole operation of the EIP Water less interesting for the

private sector, since their potential growth markets are not included.



20

Development cooperation

The water sector in Europe is heavily involved in many ODA activities, sometimes sponsored by

international and bilateral organizations and development banks, but also nowadays by

governments of developing countries themselves. Not including these regions in an EIP concept

from the beginning onwards within the development and design process of new innovations means

that the applicability and usability outside Europe will be an issue later on. For the above

mentioned, the EIP should allow and stimulate the creation of some joint innovation sites outside

Europe.

Human Capital for innovation

To develop/design and implement innovations, the water sector will need to critically take a loop at

their current human capacity and future needs. Already there is a shortage and to implement plans

the number of R&D staff and specialists will need to increase. Also Lifelong Learning will be

required to make sure that specialists in this field can develop, design and implement innovations

at teh required level.

Current instruments to consider: Lifelong Learning, Youth in Action, Erasmus for All, etc



21

Part B

EIP Challenges and Dutch Initiatives

Introduction

The overall objective of the EIP on Water is to support and facilitate the development of innovative

solutions to deal with the many water related challenges which Europe and the world are facing

and to stimulate economic growth in Europe by bringing these innovative solutions to the

international market. The EIP on Water is considered instrumental in developing the European

water policy objectives and its implementation.

The EIP aims specifically at:

1. Specific EU water policy objectives of the WFD and river basin plans, the Resource efficiency

roadmap and the blueprint recommendations aiming at (1) safe, available and affordable

water for all, including sufficient water for the environment, (2) reducing of water user

footprints and (3) maintain or enhance the good status of water of river basins.

2. Specific EU economic objectives of the Innovation flagship, Horizon 2020, KIC’s aiming at

growth in activities, export and employment in water and water dependent business

sectors.

By removing innovation barriers and the development, demonstration and marketing of innovative

European solutions, the EIP on Water is going to meet its specific water and competitiveness

targets for 2020. The EIP approach matches the Dutch Water innovation programs and the

“Topsector Water” (Water and Delta Technology programme) objectives and business cases.

EIP on Water Focus for innovation

The EIP on Water will be organised in 3 work packages (urban, rural, industry) combining various

stakeholders with similar challenges and an open number of transversal themes common to morethan one work package.

In this version of the position paper the Dutch contributions for the EIP on Water are grouped

slightly different. A matrix-structure of 6 themes and 4 work packages has been applied (this may

need to be reorganised in the next version).

Work packages

Urban water management

Rural water management

Industrial water management

River basin water management

The last work package is an extra connecting and overarching work package.

Themes

The themes relate to different kind of innovative processes and technologies providing solutions for

specific challenges and relevant for one or more work package communities. Each theme

contributes differently to achieving water resource efficiency. The themes are all transversal to the



22

work packages. Some of them can be split in specific solutions for different work package

communities.

The ideas and initiatives for innovative processes, products and services proposed by Dutch

stakeholders have been classified using their characteristics or functionality into the following

themes:

1. Water (re)use: Innovative solutions for

water efficiency, reuse and recovery

> using water and scarce resources

from waste water streams multiple

times increases water efficiency

2. Water quality: Innovative solutions for

enhancing quality of water resources,

such as emission reduction and better

sanitation > energy efficiency, decrease

losses, demand reduction

3. Water Supply: innovative

infrastructures for the retention and

storage of water resources and the

production, distribution, use and

discharge > reducing periods of water

shortage.

4. Water security: innovative infrastructural solutions for managing and harvesting of the

excess water from rivers, floods, drainage systems and rain > reducing damage to water

affected and dependent infrastructures and enlarging fresh water resources

5. Water information: Information tools and services providing enhanced policy, design and

crisis information of water resources, supply systems (accounting) and demand (metering)> helping all stakeholders to take better, resource efficient, decisions

6. Governance: Steps for simplifying and harmonising the regulatory climate (water

framework directives, standards, norms,…) > efficient governance operations. Tools and

services for water valuation, pricing and allocation strategies > better informed decisions

Steps improving the innovation climate (European innovation, eit-kic, ..) > speeding up and

reducing risks in water innovations



23

Read me

The specific EIP challenges, Innovative solutions and Dutch experience, EIP and Blueprint

alignment and Dutch initiatives an innovation sites are described for each of the themes in the

following chapters.

The gap between urban areas and rural areas within the EU27 and outside the EU27 is widening

and very much resembles the gap between poor and rich. With the difference that the problem of

rural areas is not restricted to poor or poorer countries. Looking at the water cycle: water

resources, drinking water supply, proper sanitation and storm water management we see that

there has been and continues to be ample attention for urbanized areas but that rural areas are

increasingly lacking behind.

Where much attention in EU funding through e.g. structural funds is steered towards prestigious

projects hardly any attention has been paid to the small settlements with often needs for

investment but because of the low population density return on investment is a long term process.

We only have to look at the compliance rate with various EU water related directives to make it

clear that most problems are persisting in rural areas where urban areas mostly have a highcompliance rate: examples are UWWTD and DWD.

Illustration: various inventories both by the WEKNOW network and confirmed by DGENV of the EC

show that small water supply systems and private wells are often not identified, not monitored and

often do not comply with the requirements for wholesome and clean drinking water. More than

10% of the EU27 depends on their daily drinking water from sources that are not properly

monitored (WEKNOW). The same situation applies to sanitation and waste water collection.

The way forward: Many studies have been financed by the EC on the scale of the problem, the

potential threat to human health and inventories of potential solutions have been made. Despite

the entire budget spent on painting a picture of the problem the situation does not improve due to a

lack of implementation of solutions. This needs to be investigated with the main objective toenhance implementation.

Research needs: Better understanding of the lack of progress with the implementation of water

related Council directives in rural areas with the aim to identify key barriers to implementation and

to provide recommendations on how to actually improve the situation.

Step 1: Why do current and appropriate solutions not reach the rural communities? Which barriers

to implementation and improvement do exist?

Step 2: How to improve the situation? Are the appropriate technological solutions available? Is the

community properly involved in the selection and implementation of the solutions? Are financial

constraints the key barrier? Are there other non-technological barriers that need to be addressed?Do we need a step wise approach tailored to the local level of knowledge, acceptance and financial

capability? Is training needed?

Step 3: Involve SME’s manufacturers to develop appropriate solutions (if that is a barrier)? Make

SMART plan to improve the situation step-wise in a number of pilot areas in different parts of EU27.



24

1. Water (Re)use

Challenges

Recent studies show that competing demands for scarce water resources may lead to an estimated

40% global water supply shortage by 2030, also affecting large parts of Europe. Competition for

clean water is expected to increasingly lead to social, economic, environmental and global geo-political consequences (ref. EIP). Not only water but also nutrient (phosphate), metal (rare

elements) and energy (e.g. thermal) resources are expected to become scarce in the middle or long

term. The main thematic challenge here is to develop solutions for water reuse (to increase water

efficiency, decreasing the water footprint), preferably combined with solutions to also recover

other resources (energy, nutrient, rare metals, etc).

Solutions and Dutch experience

Energy, water and elemental substances like (rare) metals and nutrients will be scarce on the

middle and long term. Intelligent solutions are needed, besides efficiency and use of alternative –

sustainable – sources, innovations in water reuse and resource recovery should be stimulated.

Resource recovery and re-use seeks to shift the focus away from waste that needs disposal, toward

creating a valuable resource that can benefit farmers, create jobs and generate funds to improvesanitation (IWMI).

Waste water is a potential source of highly valuable elements like phosphate and metals like

platinum, copper and lithium. The EU has named 14 raw materials as being especially critical. One

way of developing new solutions is by direct reuse for example of nutrients and waste water in

agriculture. Resources should be saved without reducing quality. (Rare) Metals are available in

waste water in low concentrations; the challenge for innovation is to develop separation

technologies to collect these components at a reasonable cost level and without extra consumption

of energy and or chemicals. Like reuse, for removal of harmful metals like arsenic innovative and

low cost solutions are needed, for both the developed and the developing world.

The focus is slowly shifting towards reuse and resource recovery. The need for efficient production

processes is requested by society, the so called ‘License to Produce/Operate’. Tools and concepts

like Water Footprint and Stewardship support and also enable the producing companies to find

solutions. On the long term a global level playing field will develop for these companies. In Europe,

in several industries, like Dutch drinking water companies and also food producing companies are

global leaders with concern to efficient production. Europe should leverage this position,

technology providers together with the producing companies, and become global leaders in

sustainable production under the motto ‘From waste to Valuable Resources’. Water reuse solutionsand technology is a rather mature market in industry and urban and greenhouse rural settings.

Stakeholders in The Netherlands have started to invest in resource recovery technology. Such as

thermal energy and biomass energy from sewage water in industry and urban areas, nutrient

recovery in urban and rural areas. The use of supplementary materials is thought in cascades, in

which a waste product of one process may be a raw material for another process in the same or

cross-cutting production cycle; Cradle 2 Cradle (utility). The sustainability of the production system

is important for creating social support and thus the ’’licence to operate/produce’’ of renownedcompanies from agriculture and the food processing industry.

ICT applications and new technologies for more efficient treatment to reduce costs and

energy needs and decrease pollution



25

Alignment with EIP and Blueprint

Full alignment with EIP challenges of industry and urban water.

It will also have impact on FWD and Blueprint objectives. This theme is a transversal theme but can

be split into the 4 work packages of the EIP.

Dutch initiatives and innovation sites

Industry

- Water fit for use - focusing on the sustainable and efficient use of water (reduce, reuse,

recycle) in the production and processing of food. Specifically with regard to water quality

and quantity issues. The use of alternative water sources and water stewardship fit within

this theme.

Urban

- Energiefabriek (WSen)

- Grondstoffenfabriek (WSen), Resource recovery - a theme focused on the recovery of

valuable components from (waste) water such as energy, nutrients and minerals. The use of

residues from other processes belonging to this theme;

- Chemicals from waste (TU Delft)- Greenhouse horticulture Waterproof -soilless crops (Platform Duurzame Glastuinbouw)

- Closing water and nutrients cycles in greenhouses, using smart measures and techniques.

Intensive horticulture and soilless cultivation is an answer to increasing urbanisation and

need for food.

- Several projects in the Netherlands + EU + projectproposal Climate KIC.

Rural

- Biobased Economy

- Nutrients recovery in irrigation and drainage systems

- Brine recovery from desalination

River basin

- Thermal energy recovery and storage

- Electricity production by tidal and osmotic devices

Innovation sites: Aflsuitdijk, Oosterscheldekering, Brouwersdam

2. Water Quality

Challenges

Reduced water quality limits the availability of fresh groundwater and surface water as resources

for consumption, agriculture, recreation, nature and urban and industry water. A substantial

proportion of Europe’s freshwaters are at risk of not achieving the objectives of the EU Water

Framework Directive by 2015. According to the preliminary analysis in 2009, 30% of surface

waters and 38% of ground waters are at risk of not achieving good status (ref EIP). This has

adverse effects on bio-diversity and public health and hampers the provision of eco-system

services. In addition new risks for public or ecosystem health arise by the occurrence, persistency,

bio-accumulation and toxicity of “new” substances such as pesticides and derivates , hormones,

micro- en nano-plastic particles. In addition, the spreading of viruses via surface water and water



26

pipe systems are an increasing risk. The challenge here is to monitor and increase the quality of

water resources by innovative solutions.


Research and innovation are needed, such as:

Several projects on reducing the emission of pesticides and nutrients to surface and ground water &

increasing water use efficiency in soilless and soilbound cultivation, eg:

- glastuinbouw waterproof substraat: developing tools and technlology for closing the water cycle,

- glastuinbouw waterproof grondgebonden: developing water and fertigation management tools

and technology

- Evaluatie Zuiveringstechnieken: testing purification technology for removing pesticides form

greenhouse effluent water

- Emission model: developing and testing/valorising models for calculating emission of nutrients

and pesticides from greenhouses. Tool for registration of pesticides

Reducing new substances in urban and industry water resources

Resources and monitoring of macro-, micro-, nano nano plastic compents in surface andgroundwater. Solutions to remove nano- and micro- from surface water and drinking- and

effluent waterplastics.

Manner in which bacteria can contaminate food through surface water and how this can be

prevented

Prevention of pollution at source

Managing and reducing nutrient and veterinary medicines level in rural water resources

Reduced and controlled nutrients for agriculture

Solution for reducing the emission to surface water of medicines in agriculture. Reduction and

control of emission of pestides and nutrients from soilbound greenhouse cultivations

Enhancing natural resilience in the river basin

More space for biodiversity (e.g. fish passages)

Innovations in Governance can be useful, such adjusting the WFD or REACH admission policy of

substances and materials affecting environmental quality for plastics, medicines, cosmetics, etc.

(see precious theme).

The Netherlands has a strong research programme on water technology, focusing on innovative

sanitation technology. The Netherlands has a reputation and record of accomplishment and

international export position is this field.


This theme addresses achieving good status of more European water resources, one of the main

objectives of the EIP. As such it enlarges the volume and the reusability of water resources.

This theme is a transversal theme but can be split into the 4 work packages.



27


Rural

Emission reduction - a theme aimed at limiting emissions of priority substances and pesticides to

groundwater and surface water. Dealing with diffuse sources in agriculture is part of this theme

but also from specific locations (puntlozingen): discharge from greenhouses is important theme.

Purification technology for discharge water (removing pesticides + nutrients);

Precisely guided fertilization in agriculture Precisiegestuurde bemesting in de landbouw

(SME’s, information technology, sensors)

Precisely guided application of fertilizers (SME’s, information technology, sensors)

Fish-friendly pumping stations (European problem, how do fish pass pumps in water systems,

build by SME’s)

Reuse urban waste water in horiticulture (Delfblue water)

Urban and industry

Filters for pharmaceutical rests and germs (European funding) (SME’s, use of bioplastics for

hospitals), Biomembraanreactor Zuivering Isalaklinieken (SLIK)

VEWIN/ KWR> innovation in drinking water technology??? Interreg project KP7 on plastics (the ocean of tomorrow)

Rijn-West: project Stroomgebiedsafstemming

3. Water Supply

Challenges

Regarding water quantity, water scarcity and droughts already affect one third of the EU territory

across different latitudes. A comparison of the impacts of droughts in the EU between 1976-1990

and 1991-2006 shows a doubling in both area and population affected. The EIP states that without

measures or investments competing demand may lead to 40% global water supply shortage in

2030, with subsequent consequences. A substantial European part of the fresh waters are also atrisk. Deltares conducted research on the use of groundwater in abundance and risks in food supply

for about 1,7 billion people, which shows the urgency of security of supply.

One of the main causes for the rise in water demand is that in 2050 a significant, global increase

(approximately 65%) in de demand for quality food is expected, due to an increase in prosperity,

population growth (from 7 to 9 billion) and urbanization (from 50% living in cities to 70% living in

cities). This development takes place against a background of scarcity of resources, increased

uncertainty about earning as a result of climate change and increasing degradation of ecosystems.

There is a worldwide need for a transition in which production systems are applied, with respect

for humans, animals and environment that enable food security (e.g. availability, use and access).

An important part of the transition is sought in the sustainable production and processing of food,

under the motto:'' there will be no food security without sustainability''.

Water is one of the key production factors for food and represents the ''blue wire'' that connects the

issues and disciplines in this area. The agriculture sector is globally responsible for approximately

70% of the water use. An average of 3,000 litres of water per person per day is needed to produce

the necessary food. The water demand from agriculture and horticulture will continue to grow in

the coming years and is an important component of global water issues.



28

It is a major challenge to secure and enlarge the availability of fresh water and the supply of

sufficient volumes of fresh water matching use-profiles of key sectors such as drinking water,

agriculture, water transport, industries, while ensuring sufficient water for ecosystems

(environmental flow).


Smart water management and innovative infrastructures and technology for water capture,

retention, distribution and use can increase water resource efficiency in:

urban areas on water harvesting (e.g. rainwater, desalination and reuse) and strategic storage

(reservoirs, ASR, tanks, etc.) en water loss reduction (materials, loss detection and repair)

industry focusing on reducing water demand, internal water reuse, storage infrastructures and

external reuse

rural areas on water capture (floods/drainage), retention (reservoir, infiltration), distribution

infrastructures (efficient irrigation, loss reduction) and water demand (plant types, loss-

reduction)

river basin areas fresh water resource management (multi-scale river basin management),

including trans-border infrastructural investments for resource efficiency (infrastructure

optimization

The knowledge for climate related water challenges is located in the weather institutes and

research institutes (KNMI). In Germany this knowledge is located in research institutes such as

the Max Planck Institute, in the UK this knowledge is available at the Handleycentre. It is

important to exchange ideas on insights, translate documents and to work together with foreign

consultancies in order to achieve adaptation.

Knowledge for Climate Research Programme: Knowledge for Climate is a research programme

for the development of knowledge and services that make it possible to climate proof the

Netherlands. The research programme is focused on eight areas (Climate Proof Flood Risk

Management, Change Proof Fresh Water Supply, Climate Adaptation for Rural Areas, Climate

Proof Cities, Infrastructure and Networks, High-quality Climate projections, Governance ofAdaptation and Decision support tools)

Kennisinstallatie accelerates the process around regional innovation, scientific

entrepreneurship, incubation and business development. It encourages and facilitates the

initiation of consortia for strategic and innovative projects in the four priority clusters of the

Province of South Holland. Kennisinstallatie is developing an overview of innovative sites in the

province of South Holland of which some of the projects fit into the adaptation strategy, others

will fit into the industrial wastewater treatment.

The drinking water supply systems in the Netherlands have one of the most efficient

worldwide. Less than 5% water losses and many state of the art solutions for (underground)

water storage.

Utrecht University, Utrecht Sustainable Institute, TNO, Deltares and the Province of Utrecht are

participating in various Climate KIC innovation projects. Examples with respect to sustainablecities, water management and biomass are:

- EURBANLAB: Network of European living labs, resulting in new products, technologies and

serving as umbrella for experimental facilities required for other Climate KIC projects. In

cooperation with TNO, Province of Utrecht, Imperial College UK, Advancity FR, TU Berling

DEU, GDF-SUEZ FR, UVSQ FR



29

- WATER 2INVEST:Global facility for calculating investments needed to bridge the water

gap, assessing the current as well as the looming water shortages due to climate change and

socio-economic developments. In cooperation with Deltares and Imperial College UK

- AZOLLA: Aquatic-agricultural farming based on the fresh water fern Azolla and its

symbionts, using major industrial waste waste streams including CO 2 and heat emmissions.

In cooperation with Wageningen University, Tata Steel, Sheel, Eemsdelta

The Dutch agricultural sector (including horticulture) moves specifically to the production of moreproducts with less water; More Crop per Drop (quantity). There is also a need to improve the quality

of products and increase the added value of the crop with optimal use of the water needed; More

Cash per Splash (quality). The Netherlands is working in this area in de Delta Programme, Theme

Water availability.

Important to note is that the worldwide water market is also influenced by decisions that are made

at the United Nations for example (UNFCCC). There is a fund available for climate adaptation

strategies. In the long run (2020) about 100 bililon USD should be made available. The Ministry of

Infrastrcture and Environment (I&M) should know about these opportunities.


These focus areas correspond to EIP Urban, Rural and Industry and the EIP Transversal them of

river basin management.

Subjects mentioned: (subsurface and soil) water retention, efficient irrigation; reduction of water

losses and water abstraction <20% of renewable water resources;

There is also alignment with water scarcity and resource efficiency objectives of the Blueprint on

water.

This theme is a transversal theme but can be split into the 4 work packages.


Urban

Self-sustaining city (water reuse and heat/cold energy)

Climate adaptive city (rainfall capture and subsurface storage)

Alternative fresh water sources (desalination of brackish/saline water)

Innovation sites: Utrecht zero emission, Rotterdam, (Blue green dream), Maasvlakte

Industry

Water and energy (thermal, hydropower, energiedam, …)

Location oriented water foot printing system and certification (see also governance)

Innovation sites: Aquafit4use

Rural

Retention measures (Waterhouderij, Peilgestuurde drainage (MKB, informatietechnologie,

sensoren)

Water and greenhouse horticulture (decoupling)

Bio-based economy (water efficiency crop and processing)

Innovation sites: Greenhouse water-energy (floating roses)



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River basin

Climate adaptive and retention oriented (floods as resource for drought), Delta programme

Leven met Zout (ontwikkelen van een systematiek waarmee voor een bepaalde regio/delta snel

en effectief een integraal plan ontwikkeld kan worden voor het omgaan met toenemende

verzilting in kustzones en delta’s).

Coastal engineering for fresh water ()

FWD policies on resource efficiency and risks (priorities, stimulating investments, ..)

Policies stimulating the transition (valuing, economic, SME, ..)

Climate adaptive systems - a theme designed to produce independent of weather and climate

factors (e.g. drought), protection of production sites against climate change (e.g. flooding) in

vulnerable delta areas;

Innovation sites: Krammersluizen, Multiwaterwerk, Duikers in Rotterdam, Volkerak, IJsselmeer

fresh water buffer

4. Water Security

Challenges

The world faces regularly distaters, such as floods and dry periods which negatively effect humans,nature and business. The rise of the sea level in combination with subsidence and unstable

precipitations, population increase, have an influence delta and coastal regions. The protection of

delta regions against floods is therefore getting even more important. The infrastructure requires

new technologies, smart solutions and innovations, spatial management, the connection of more

functions to dikes, cost efficiency, climate resistance and smart solutions for dikes in order to be

able to measure the strength of them.The EIP mentions that the past ten years, Europe suffered

more than 175 major floods, causing deaths, the displacement of people and large economic losses.

The EIP is not focusing on flood risk management sec. It is considered to be important to protect

water infrastructures against flood risks. However, innovative solutions bringing excess water from

heavy rainfall or floods to areas and in periods of droughts are a challenge fitting the EIP objectives.


Solutions in this theme

- innovative storm and flood protection measures (dikes, space for river water)

- capture of storm and rain water for later use (dams, infiltration, ..)

- water robustness measures for (water) infrastructure

- innovative flood risk assurance

In the Netherlands we have a long tradition of defending our country from floods. The major part of

the intensively used coastal area lies below sea level. Because of our geographical position,

approximately 60% of the land would be subject to flooding if we take away our levees. In order to

cope with the special geographical location, major developments in terms of water securityinnovations have been developed in our country. The Netherlands enjoys a well-known

international reputation and expertise in this area. The Netherlands is the best secured delta in the

world.

In the Netherlands we choose an integrated approach: measures that keep our feet dry and, at the

same time, create and exploit opportunities in spatial development, for economic, societal and

cultural gain (for instance by combining reinforcement with developing new nature, improvement



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of fish migration, constructing cycling- and footpaths, and exploit opportunities for new energy

concepts such as solar energy, tidal energy and blue energy).

From the National Delta Plan long term plans (2050, with a view till 2100) are made to protect our

country against high water and maintain the standard of our freshwater, now and in the future. The

national Delta Programme has been is a catalyst for new levee and coastal reinforcements and a

motor for applying new innovative developments. This new approach governs the protection of ourcountry from flooding and the spatial planning of the areas near the levees and sea walls. Besides

traditional reinforcing (proven technology) we are working on innovative ways of strengthening

levees and dunes.


Solutions to protect areas that are vulnearble for floods are going to increase public security and

help to protect from economical losses. In many cases flood prevention engineering can include

water retention measures, measures that create opportunities for nature development, etc. These

effects are linked to the goals of the EIP for 2020.

This theme is a true transversal theme to be linked to all 4 work packages.


Dutch initiatives

Flood Control 2100 and Digitale Delta (making integral and aenriched data, models, algorithms,

tools and solutions available in order to enable new dimensions of management and

applictaions for the water sector)

Spatial management & Water: Improvement of water quantity: encourage a climate adaptive

and climate independent city. Leefbare delta/ Duurzame Deltasteden (find integrated solutions)

Innovative flood defence mechanisms:

o Energiedijken (combination of security and energy with energy retrieved from water

technologies such as osmotic energy and tides integrated into barriers, and damso Multi-functional dikes;

o ICT; 3Di-sensors in order to plan the maintenance of dikes

o Eco-engineering/ “Building with Nature”: Use the mechanisms that nature offers in

water construction and design

Innovation in the “Hoogwaterbeschermingsprogramma (HWBP) (Multi-level safety approach)

Innovation sites:

- Delta program areas SE Delta, Rotterdam/Drechtsteden, Rivers

- Amsterdam/Watergraafsmeer …

- Afsluitdijk/Energiedijk,dijkversterkingsprojectenNoord-Holland/Buildingwith nature…

5. Water Information

Challenge

Achieving resource efficiency goals requires water information at industry, urban, rural and river

basin level. Solutions to making water information readily available for policy and design, steering

water adaptation and crisis management are needed but due to lack of standards very costly.



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New sensoring and ICT technologies trigger innovations in water sensoring and water information

services, both for policy and strategic analysis as well as for early warning and provision of real

time information for extreme events and real time operations.

It is a challenge for European public and private sector to be the first in the world providing cost-

effective tools and water information services.

Solutions and Dutch experiencesInnovative water-information services solution can be provided helping to become more resource

efficient.

Solutions are systems for:

1. Sensoring and metering

2. Water status and forecast information services for policy or early warning and steering

3. Water accounting for policy and pricing

4. Informatiehuis Water

The Netherlands has a strong position is this area where water and ICT expertise meet. The

innovative solutions used in both in the public and private domain are internationally top.

Current investments and experiences include: The national Data and Modellingen Centre (NMDC),

Water and sensoring innovations as part of Wetsus programme, Flood and drought early warning

systems, information for agriculture steering, etc


There is alignment with EIP objectives.

The theme strongly relates to main issues of the Blueprint:

o Development of an European wide ‘early warning system’ in order for member states toreact timely and develop measures, strong integration of drought management (one can

think about a drought funds)

o Use of satellite technology in order to fight illegal withdrawals

o Policy regulation concerning the collaborative collection of data and the harmonization

of reporting. This is needed as requirement for the development of the European wide

‘early warning system’

o Or: further development of WISE, SEIS (Shared Environmental Information System),

development of a route map for water research and proioritize it in order to be able to

integrate it into the EIP Water

o Water accounting: The Netherlands developed a ‘National Accounting Matrix

including Water Accounts’ (NAMWA)

o Water information services including standardization efforts providing information

for supply side (water resource management) and demand side (water users)

decisions

This theme is a transversal theme to be split into 4 work packages.


Urban

- Water accounting systems

Innovation sites: Water apps, ..



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Industry

- Water accounting systems

Innovation sites: Water apps, ..

Rural

- Agricultural steering services

- Sensoring, surveying and data services

River basin

Water (drought and flood) early warning systems

- FC2015

- Water planning systems

- 3Di Digitale delta

- Water2invest water risks

Innovation sites: FC2100, IJkdijk, ..

6. Governance

Challenge

Water governance refers to the way the management of water resources, fresh water supply, waste

water treatment and flood risks are organized, and the interaction between the organizations

responsible for the related political, administrative, social, legal and financial elements. Many

organizations are involved in water issues, all on their own competences and disciplines.

Companies, government agencies, research institutes interact within a system that is defined by

laws, informal rules and allocation of resources. Good governance is about legitimacy, transparency

and democracy and involves multi-level governance as well as multi-actor governance. Good

governance on innovation is mainly educational policy development (developing a synergy

between a top down and a buttom up approach).

Innovation in water requires good governance too: financial resources for research and

development of innovative approaches and technologies. Sound water management with

knowledge of threats and options to react on threats is necessary to innovate in the right direction.

Another innovative aspect is how governments work together in the development and

implementation of the Water Framework Directives. The most important concepts are: network

structures, transparency, trust building, achievable and affordable (see the document Evaluatie van

het implementatieproces van de Kaderrichtlijn Water).

It is great challenge to enhance common focus of all water stakeholders involved and to improve

collaboration in solving water challenges and in stimulating the water business in a European

context.

On October 4th 2012, there will be a midterm review of the Knowledge for Climate programme. For

the topic governance, one can learn about the experiences that are made with this programme in

terms of the collaboration between parties from research institutes, engineering companies and the

government. Furthermore, raising awareness and public involvement is another important issue to

consider.



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The EIP should invest in the following solutions:

Governance

1. Multilevel governance: interactive policy making, implementation and steering at different

levels of scale. EU, national, regions, water authorities, local

2. Cost effectiveness of laws and policy instruments

3. Water diplomacy and trans-boundary water management

4. Decision making process related to multifunctional use of infrastructures like dams

Water strategies and Financing

5. Effectiveness of financial instruments including water pricing

6. Public-Private partnerships for financing water management and to design, build and maintain

infrastructures

7. Integrated policy for the management of river basins

8. Market research to investigate the differences between the European an the Asian

manufacturing approach for water treatment plants.

Innovation

9. Removal of barriers for innovation: legal, in financial structures and in the roles and capacities

of the actors in the governance system10. Enhancement of the transfer of knowledge to innovative prototypes and implementation on a

large scale

11. Enhancement of stakeholder participation

12. International transfer of knowledge and innovations

The Netherlands has experience with integrated policies for climate change, flood protection, water

resources in the National Water Plan, The Delta Programme and the National Water Agreement

between local authorities, water authorities and national government. In these policies the long

term issues of the rising sea level, changes in climate and threats of deterioration of water supplies,

drought and flooding are formulated in scenario’s and options for action.

Cooperation between companies, government agencies and research institutes is enhanced by theTop Sector Water. Aim of this policy is to fasten the transfer of knowledge to innovation and

implementation on a large scale, by providing a structure for better interaction and cooperation,

just like EIP on Water.

Alignment with EIP on Water and Blueprint

Water governance is one of the transversal themes mentioned in the EIP communication and

addresses specifically one of the EIP goals. Sustainable water management practices are brought to

the global market and are integrated into EU and Member States' water-related cooperation with

neighbouring and developing countries

The EIP asks public authorities to improve regulatory frameworks, standardisation and norms andcontracting stimulating innovative solutions, bridging the gap between innovation and the market

(procurement, eliminating the obstacles for market breakthroughs, regulatory, financial,

standardization, technical, social etc)

There is alignment with several Blueprint issues:



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Water pricing and cost recovery, economic instruments, financial engineering or

standardization

Development of water trade guidelines (also at river basin level)

Governance best practices, trans boundary collaboration (long term) planning, sustainable

water management practices

EU regulation and norms for water use

Worldwide issues: integral water management, water foot printing, consumers awareness,

achieving the Millennium Development Goals in relation to sanitation and drinking water

ICT, sharing and collecting information

This theme is a true transversal theme to be linked to all 4 work packages.


Dutch Initiatives:

Delta programme (Water supply and flood risk management)

“Bestuursakkoord Water (samenwerken in de keten)” National Administrative Agreement on

Water Human capital roadmap Topsector Water

“Nederlandse Waterwet”

Dutch innovation sites

Water governance Centre / working group innovation acceleration

Innovation is Delta programme areas (Rotterdam/Drechtsteden, IJsselmeer, etc.)

Process innovation in water policy: SUSCOD (network, toolbox for the sustainable development

of coastal zones, Province Noord-Holland)

Process innovation in water related projects: innovative procurement (Weal Links, Province of

Noord Holland)

Innovation in the water cycle (Waternet, water cylce company to combine water management

duties with frinking water, sewerage and effluent treatment operations)

Multilevel cooperation Afsluitdijk (Bestuurakkoord 23/12/2011)



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Part C

Initiatives in factsheet

netherland swot analysis

Documents