Global expertise for local water challenges

Watershare’s international water sector network is dedicated to delivering equitable water solutions for all. We bridge research to practice on pressing water sector issues through global to local collaboration.

The Watershare vision is to share knowledge, expertise, and resources between global researchers, utilities, and solution providers to collaborate, implement innovations for a resilient water future and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

Themes

Water Scarcity

Water Resources Management

Subsurface storage of alternative water resources can contribute to balancing water supply and demand, while also increasing water reuse. The applicability of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR), managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and other subsurface water solutions has increased dramatically over the last few years thanks to innovations in pre-treatment, water well design, and groundwater modelling and management – all verified in recent pilots and full-scale applications.

Future-Proof Water Infrastructures

Operational and strategic management of water supply and distribution systems

Since water networks are among the infrastructures that are critical to the well-being and welfare of our societies, water utilities make great efforts to ensure their proper functioning. The introduction of sensors and ICT solutions in recent years greatly assists the utilities in this task, but it also adds new risks for the provision of water services.

Resilient Urban Water

Governance, Policies and Strategic Planning

The Watershare Resilience Assessment approach supports water utilities in developing more resilient water cycle design strategies and governance approaches. This method will enhance strategic planning within the context of the circular economy and a highly uncertain future.

Compounds of Emerging Concern

Water treatment (Drinking water and waste water)

Utilities are responsible for safeguarding water safety. They continuously seek ways to identify and prioritise hazards and risks in order to take appropriate measures. Watershare tools can help at several stages in the Water Safety Planning cycle. Of course, many chemical and microbial threats are already known, and are typically included in mandatory monitoring schemes. But apart from these, utilities are confronted with new pathogens and 'contaminants of emerging concern'.

Energy and Resource Recovery

Circular Economy and the Nexus

The depletion of resources and of fossil energy sources make a transition from today’s linear economy to a circular economy necessary. This has also led to growing interest in the water sector worldwide in resource recovery and upcycling – the recovery and reuse of water cycle residuals for their transformation into valuable products. Alongside the reduction of consumption of primary resources, resource recovery and upcycling constitutes an important building block for the circular economy.