Annual report Chair on Drinking Water Engineering 2008 - TU Delft

Introduction research themes
The Dutch water companies maintain high technical standards as a result of which safe drinking water is supplied
at all times and at an acceptable price. Their so-called ‘Dutch secret’ includes the concept of producing
and distributing drinking water of a high quality. No chemical disinfectant is used during drinking water
production, which is possible because the multiple barrier treatment systems produce water that is biologically
stable. Moreover, the drinking water is soft, has a pleasant taste and colour and pipeline leakages
are virtually zero. As a result of this, the confidence and government in drinking water quality is high. The
Dutch drink water from the tap and they do not feel the need for using bottled water or point-of-use filters.
However, this good drinking water quality is threatened by new emerging substances in the source waters, biological
growth (for example Legionella) in the distribution system and in-house installations and water quality
deterioration in the distribution system. These threats and solutions for these threats are covered in the research
themes “emerging technologies” and “integrated solutions for the water cycle”. Furthermore water quality
improvement is obtained in the theme “modeling, sensoring and automation”. This theme aims to optimise the
treatment plant performance by an integrated modeling approach. In the research theme “optimal design and
operation of distribution networks” the water quality in the distribution system is investigated. The research
theme “sustainable drinking water solutions” focuses on improving the drinking water quality in developing
countries.
Research is executed in collaboration with different partners in the water sector and for most of the research
projects external funding is mainly obtained from SenterNovem. Other partners, TTI Wetsus or the European
Union. Special agreements for research collaboration are made with Waternet, water cycle company for Amsterdam
and surrounding areas and Oasen water company. The focus of the research with Waternet is on innovation in
the water cycle and one of the major topics is the occurrence, fate and removal of emerging substances in the
water system and treatment. The research collaboration with Oasen is mainly focusing on improvements in water
quality during distribution of drinking water to the consumers.
Theme 1: Emerging technologies
In recent years it has become clear that the pollution
of water sources has become so widespread that
traces of compounds such as endocrine disputers,
polar pesticides and pharmaceuticals can even be
found in Dutch drinking water. Only a few of these
emerging substances are known and measured in
our drinking water. To face these new substances
application of advanced water treatment is required.
Moreover, due to the scientific progress we have come
to understand that also microbiological threats still cannot
be ignored, the most relevant being Legionalla and
Cryptosporidium. Fortunately, in recent years we have
also seen major breakthroughs in new technologies
such as membrane filtration and disinfection/oxidation
10 <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>report</strong> DWE 2008
Theme leaders: Bas Heijman & Jasper Verberk