Rekel/water
Ruud Kampf is a Dutch water and environmental specialist with more than 45 years of experience in water management, wastewater treatment and nature-based solutions. After qualifying as a chemical process engineer, he spent 17 years at the Dutch research institute TNO in Delft, followed by more than 20 years working for two regional water authorities.
Today, he is the founder and director of Rekel/water in the Netherlands and Rekel Kenya Ltd in Nairobi. Throughout his career, Ruud has worked on both practical and advanced water treatment technologies, including oxidation ditch systems for nitrogen and phosphorus removal, sludge treatment, and three-phase airlift reactor research.
His work gradually expanded into environmental restoration, including polluted soil and sediment remediation, wetland restoration and ecological water management. Combining his technical expertise with a lifelong passion for nature and birdwatching, he has become a recognised advocate for integrating engineering with natural ecosystems.
Ruud is the creator of the Waterharmonica concept, which provides a natural transition between wastewater treatment plants and surrounding water systems. By using wetlands and other natural processes to further improve treated effluent, the Waterharmonica has become a widely recognised element of Dutch water policy.
Since March 2023, Ruud has also been involved with Truxor Wetland Equipment AB, supporting the application of nature-based solutions for wetland restoration, aquatic vegetation management and mangrove protection. These approaches strengthen climate resilience, enhance biodiversity and contribute to sustainable water management.
More information: https://truxor.com/en/content/nature-based-solutions
"I attended Oman Water Week in 2025 and was impressed by how easy it was to connect with local institutions."
Ruud Kampf
Founder and owner of Rekel/water