Blog: Start sharing and make Europe world leader on water innovation

Worldwide preserving and reusing fresh water has become crucial. When it comes to water innovation Europe wants to gain a leading position. The European Commission is investing in water innovation with the European Innovation Partnership on Water. Researchers, professionals and companies are working together in international action groups on smart solutions and new technology.

Working together on innovation in specially formed action groups is a great start, but sharing information and experiences at all professional levels in the whole of Europe will bear more fruit. Because of the many different languages (24 official languages are identified) sharing expertise between all the Member States is complex, but not impossible. If local water professionals would start sharing their experiences and exchanging information about their particular workplace in English, that could reveal a wealth of information.

Identify ancient pearls
Revaluating ancient useful principles can be an important step forward. For example the Moorish and Roman water works in Spain or the execution of ancient water management principles in the Netherlands. Many smart solutions from the past are still valuable today. So sharing information about new technology is useful, but sharing ‘best practices’ will be essential to get an overview of the Best Available Techniques.

Start reviewing common practices
In the coming years we will be facing huge water challenges. We have to prepare ourselves to review common practices and look at them from a different perspective. Providing everyone with clean drinking water and sanitation could mean flushing toilets with water should be reconsidered. Furthermore, we have to identify and embrace only solutions that save energy on water treatment and save water during the energy production process.

Focus on irrigation
When it comes to irrigation the list of opportunities is endless. About 70 per cent of the available fresh water is used for irrigation. Even minor improvements in this area could lead to major water savings. Using less vulnerable pipes and valves to prevent leakages, innovations that lead to more crop per drop, rainwater harvesting, preventing evaporation are well worth looking at. All we have to do is identify and recognize the best performing solutions. For example the good use of aquifers should be a top priority everywhere. In order to preserve groundwater we should know exactly how aquifers recharge themselves and how much water we can use wisely.

Stay informed
‘Best practises’ are constantly changing. Innovations lead to new solutions which have to prove themselves at the workplace. When they succeed the former ‘best practice’ will then belong to the past. That is why actual information is important and following news in the national and international water sector media is essential. These media can help identifying the Best Available Techniques and Connect people in and outside Europe.

Start sharing
So to cut a long story short start sharing information and expertise. Even if your English is not Cambridge-proof. Together we can make Europe the world leader when it comes to water innovation and we can help provide everyone, everywhere with clean drinking water and sanitation.

This blog of Water News Europe was published at iAgua