New roadmap aims to accelerate innovation in water quality management

The roadmap was commissioned by TKI Water Technology and presented on 16 September at the VPdelta field lab at Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp). It highlights that the next major challenge is no longer simply to collect more or better data, but to turn that data into timely insights and concrete action.

According to Anne Hummelen, Director of TKI Water Technology, this is where the next step in innovation needs to take place.

“Innovation in water quality monitoring is developing rapidly, including through TKI Water Technology’s innovation projects. The roadmap shows that the main challenge is no longer monitoring technology alone, but translating data into insights and actions that bring about better water quality.”

Innovation through collaboration

The roadmap concludes that the innovation required is not yet developing quickly enough or in a sufficiently coordinated way. It therefore calls for a long-term, coordinated approach in which government, research organisations, water authorities and businesses work together on new monitoring technologies, a national data infrastructure, decision-support systems and practice-oriented field labs. Field labs can play an important role in accelerating this process by bringing research, technology development and practical application together.

Jos Verdoold, board member of the Schieland and Krimpenerwaard Water Authority and member of the VPdelta steering committee, said:

“A great deal of innovative capacity already comes together at the Rotterdam Zoo field lab. It is valuable to have a place like this, where research is done and new approaches to monitoring can be tested with innovative companies and colleagues from the water authority, in our own water management area.”

The field lab also provides opportunities for scientific research. Doris van Halem, Professor of Drinking Water Quality at Delft University of Technology, added:

“As a scientist, I get excited about testing grounds like this and the opportunity to gain greater understanding. And as an engineer, I am equally excited about using this understanding to come up with concrete solutions.”

The Delfland Water Authority also announced that it will work with Delft University of Technology over the next two years to further develop Rotterdam Zoo as a field lab.

Continuing the conversation at TKI Water Technology Day

The roadmap is intended as a starting point for closer collaboration and further innovation in action-oriented monitoring. TKI Water Technology will continue this conversation on 25 November 2026 at the TKI Water Technology Day at KWR Water Research Institute in Nieuwegein.

Under the theme ‘From monitoring to action: innovation for water quality’, the event will bring together businesses, researchers, water authorities and government bodies to explore how innovative monitoring and data technologies can be translated into practical action for better water quality.

TKI Water Technology is managed by NWP and Water Alliance.