Annual report Chair on Drinking Water Engineering 2008 - TU Delft

Introduction
Since three years we publish an annual <strong>report</strong> of the <strong>Chair</strong> on Drinking Water Engineering. The previous versions
can be found on our web site. We have received many positive comments from the Dutch drinking water
sector and also from academics around the world. Like last year we have used the “Vakantiecursus” as a
deadline for our annual <strong>report</strong>, so we can hand it over to all participants.
The annual <strong>report</strong> describes the progress in education and research of the chair on Drinking Water Engineering
of Delft University of Technology. Our objectives are (1) to achieve practical breakthroughs in the drinking water
research by a coordinated research approach in close cooperation with the Dutch drinking water sector and
the international scientific community and (2) to educate students in drinking water science and technology.
We have always maintained a strong focus on the following research niches:
1. Emerging technologies (MF/UV/H O /IEX) and emerging threats (pharmaceuticals, EDCs , Legionella)
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2. Modeling, sensoring and automation (Stimela, virtual drinking water plant)
3. Integrated solutions for the water cycle (crossing the boundaries of disciplines)
In the past years we managed to expand our scope with 2 new niches:
4. Technologies for an optimal design and operation of distribution networks (limit particle load, self cleaning
networks)
5. Technologies for the 3rd world (Arsenic removal Bangladesh) and arid areas (drinking with the wind, drinking
with the sun)
In 2008 our research group welcomed again several new PhD students. Their research projects together with
all other research projects and even some PhD projects of waste water treatment and sewerage can be found
in the individual research paragraph of this annual <strong>report</strong>. Presently, more than 20 PhD students are working
on drinking water related research projects. Several of the PhD researchers and supervisors have also an
appointment at a water company, research institute or engineering consultant. In this way we maintain good
contact with the drinking water industry. It also results in a dynamic, young and enthusiastic group.
In 2008 Patrick Smeets and Arne Verliefde completed and successfully defended their PhD thesis. The high
level of our research is reflected by the fact that Arne was awarded the PhD degree cum laude (with honours)
which is the highest distinction within TU Delft. Moreover our research output in terms of peer-reviewed papers
increased again significantly and now exceeds our peer groups. Furthermore, the research group is developing
all kind of new initiatives like the bi-annual workshops on “High Quality Drinking Water”, the new on line
journal “Drinking Water Engineering and Science” and the Delft Academic Press publisher.
In 2008 we saw a further strengthening of the collaboration with UNESCO-IHE into a common Delft drinking
water group. Every month research colloquia are organised. MSc and PhD researchers from both organisations
update each other on their progress by giving presentations and participating in discussions. These colloquia
are open to the public and announced on our web site. Also in the educational field the relation with
UNESCO-IHE has become stronger.
2 <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>report</strong> DWE 2008