Chlorine-free drinking water production and visit to laboratory
In The Netherlands chlorine-free drinking water is produced, of which about fourty percent is produced from surface water. We will visit a drinking water utility that purifies surface water using dune infiltration and a post treatment. After a bus ride we first get an introduction of the drinking water utility on how microbiologically safe drinking water is produced to meet QMRA requirements and distributed without a disinfectant residual. Next, we split the group into two parts that will both visit the post treatment plant and the infiltration area in the dunes.
After lunch we will visit Aquon, one of the laboratories of the water boards that analyze surface water, bathing water and wastewater samples for both microbiological and chemical parameters.
This will be a full-day visit. Please note that you should be able to cycle twice for 10-15 minutes to be able to visit the treatment plant and the dunes. Please contact us if you are physically unable to do this but would like to attend the site visit and we can discuss with you what is feasible.
Rapid monitoring of bathing water and separate sewer systems
At the Spiegelwaal in the city of Nijmegen, recreational activities in the river Waal are combined with the demands of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) to provide a natural environment for certain fish species. However, requirements for the WFD conflict with measures for microbiologically safe bathing water and recreational activities. We will visit the Spiegelwaal, where a project researcher will explain the situation, the research performed and what has been done to serve both needs. You will have the chance to see the setup of the area and how the water quality was monitored by rapid monitoring systems.
After lunch in the city centre of Nijmegen, a tour through the old city centre will show how the city manages water challenges such as separating rainwater from sewage.
This is a full-day visit. Please note that you should be able to walk on uneven terrain at the Spiegelwaal and walk for 1,5 hours in the city centre of Nijmegen. Please contact us if you are physically unable to do this but would like to attend the site visit and we can discuss with you what is feasible.
Green Village Technical University of Delft
At the technical university of Delft, a Green Village has been set up: a field lab to test solutions for a sustainable future. During the tour you will get to see different open-air experiments that are currently running, such as a local grey water reuse and with the Hydraloop. Microbiological issues related to home and decentralized systems will be discussed.
After lunch in the old city centre of Delft, you will visit the new wastewater treatment plant which focuses on reuse of wastewater effluent.
Free water walk through Amersfoort
Amersfoort is a water rich city with a long history of water management and new developments in the field. Conference attendees will be provided with a walking tour past key points in and around the city centre with explanations about the water history and new developments. Naturally the historical highlights of the city are included in the walk. This tour is free and can be undertaken at any time at your own leisure.