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Roundtable discussions: The outcome and results
As part of the official opening of NX Filtration’s new factory, three insightful roundtable discussions were held, focusing on some of the most pressing challenges related to water sustainability in the Netherlands an abroad. These discussions were not just about sharing knowledge but about taking responsibility for driving a much-needed water transition, especially as clean and affordable water is no longer guaranteed for the future.
The first discussion explored water recycling as a critical solution to address increasing water shortages. With growing pressures on water resources, we examined how recycled water can reduce demand on fresh supplies and how innovative solutions can (or must?) be applied to make recycling viable at scale.
The second roundtable took on the urgent issue of PFAS in drinking water, debating whether efforts should prioritize preventing pollution or improving water treatment—or if both approaches are necessary. This conversation highlighted the complexities of regulating and removing harmful substances while ensuring safe drinking water for all.
Finally, we addressed the broader question of how to develop a comprehensive program that tackles both water quality and quantity challenges in the Netherlands. With the increasing strain on water systems, there is a growing need for a unified approach to guarantee sustainable water access in the future.
At NX Filtration, we believe that delivering a sustainable and effective technology for water treatment is an important part of the solution. But, equally important is fostering dialogue and collaboration to create lasting change. These roundtables represent a starting point, a call to action for stakeholders across industries, governments, and communities to contribute to this water transition.
Table 1. The importance of wastewater recycling in fighting water shortage
Background
Rising global temperatures and shifting weather patterns are intensifying droughts and reducing the reliability of freshwater sources. A new reality that requires smart anticipation and mitigation. Wastewater recycling offers a powerful solution, allowing us to reclaim water that would otherwise be wasted, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient supply of drinking water, or industrial and agricultural water.
Key take aways
• Water scarcity and droughts are increasingly frequent and cause water availability issues in many regions across the globe, also in the Northern Hemisphere and The Netherlands.
• The impacts of water scarcity extend beyond just environmental concerns—they are deeply intertwined with human health, welfare, and economic stability.
• The safe and regulated reuse of wastewater for purposes like irrigation, industrial use, or even drinking water is not only feasible but already practiced in several parts of the world, such as Singapore, California, Mexico, Spain and Belgium.
• Smarter geographical planning of wastewater treatment infrastructure and water-consuming industries can significantly enhance water efficiency and sustainability.
• To mitigate risks, having a backup water source, such as treated wastewater, would be extremely beneficial.
Full story
Water scarcity is rapidly becoming one of the most critical global challenges, with significant implications for the environment, public health, welfare, and economic stability. As freshwater sources such as groundwater, rivers and lakes continue to decline, ecosystems face severe disruptions, threatening biodiversity and food production. For businesses and communities, the lack of reliable water access directly impacts productivity, public health, and economic growth. Industries that depend on water—agriculture, manufacturing, and energy—are particularly vulnerable, facing operational risks, increased costs, and supply chain disruptions.
Rising global temperatures and shifting weather patterns are intensifying droughts and reducing the reliability of freshwater sources. A new reality that requires smart anticipation and mitigation. Wastewater recycling offers a powerful solution, allowing us to reclaim water that would otherwise be wasted, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient supply of drinking water, or industrial and agricultural water.
Key take aways
• Water scarcity and droughts are increasingly frequent and cause water availability issues in many regions across the globe, also in the Northern Hemisphere and The Netherlands.
• The impacts of water scarcity extend beyond just environmental concerns—they are deeply intertwined with human health, welfare, and economic stability.
• The safe and regulated reuse of wastewater for purposes like irrigation, industrial use, or even drinking water is not only feasible but already practiced in several parts of the world, such as Singapore, California, Mexico, Spain and Belgium.
• Smarter geographical planning of wastewater treatment infrastructure and water-consuming industries can significantly enhance water efficiency and sustainability.
• To mitigate risks, having a backup water source, such as treated wastewater, would be extremely beneficial.
Full story
Water scarcity is rapidly becoming one of the most critical global challenges, with significant implications for the environment, public health, welfare, and economic stability. As freshwater sources such as groundwater, rivers and lakes continue to decline, ecosystems face severe disruptions, threatening biodiversity and food production. For businesses and communities, the lack of reliable water access directly impacts productivity, public health, and economic growth. Industries that depend on water—agriculture, manufacturing, and energy—are particularly vulnerable, facing operational risks, increased costs, and supply chain disruptions.
Table 2: Addressing the problem of persistent PFAS in drinking water - Who owns the responsibility?
Background
The RIVM (Asterix: Dutch national health institute) has reported that PFAS levels in the Netherlands' drinking water are alarmingly high, raising concerns about the long-term safety of our water supply. The cost and environmental impact of removing PFAS from water are significant. Meanwhile, drinking companies argue that the first priority should lie with polluters who discharge PFAS into the environment. However, the reality is that PFAS are highly persistent, and even if contamination discharges were halted immediately, those chemicals that have been discharged in the past would continue to affect drinking water quality for decades. The challenge now is to determine whether we are willing to accept higher PFAS levels in drinking water while managing the contamination's legacy—and to address who will bear the costs and responsibilities.
Key take aways
• The panel suggested a multi-pronged approach that combines immediate remediation efforts with stricter control over PFAS emissions and usage.
• There was unanimous agreement among the panel that PFAS must be removed from drinking water immediately. PFAS contamination is a long-term issue that will persist even if all new discharges stop now. PFAS removal at drinking water facilities is therefore inevitable, and should get the highest priority, and should not wait for legislation.
• We must acknowledge the scale of the overall PFAS challenge and plan accordingly.
• Addressing prevention of PFAS contamination requires a collective effort. Industries responsible for the pollution, along with governments and society at large (e.g. through municipal waste (water) streams) , must share the responsibility for both managing and funding wastewater treatment and the cleanup.
• Research and investment are needed and should be intensified in developing sustainable, safe and effective methods for disposing of or neutralizing removed and captured PFAS.
• There is not yet appropriate legislation, but also a lack of knowledge on what to do with the concentrated PFAS waste, which slows down the remediation efforts.
Full story
The panel gathered around the growing concerns over PFAS contamination in drinking water and the various responsibilities involved in addressing the issue. PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals," are highly persistent in the environment, raising serious health and environmental concerns. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for PFAS removal and explored the complexities surrounding the technical, financial, and regulatory aspects.
The RIVM (Asterix: Dutch national health institute) has reported that PFAS levels in the Netherlands' drinking water are alarmingly high, raising concerns about the long-term safety of our water supply. The cost and environmental impact of removing PFAS from water are significant. Meanwhile, drinking companies argue that the first priority should lie with polluters who discharge PFAS into the environment. However, the reality is that PFAS are highly persistent, and even if contamination discharges were halted immediately, those chemicals that have been discharged in the past would continue to affect drinking water quality for decades. The challenge now is to determine whether we are willing to accept higher PFAS levels in drinking water while managing the contamination's legacy—and to address who will bear the costs and responsibilities.
Key take aways
• The panel suggested a multi-pronged approach that combines immediate remediation efforts with stricter control over PFAS emissions and usage.
• There was unanimous agreement among the panel that PFAS must be removed from drinking water immediately. PFAS contamination is a long-term issue that will persist even if all new discharges stop now. PFAS removal at drinking water facilities is therefore inevitable, and should get the highest priority, and should not wait for legislation.
• We must acknowledge the scale of the overall PFAS challenge and plan accordingly.
• Addressing prevention of PFAS contamination requires a collective effort. Industries responsible for the pollution, along with governments and society at large (e.g. through municipal waste (water) streams) , must share the responsibility for both managing and funding wastewater treatment and the cleanup.
• Research and investment are needed and should be intensified in developing sustainable, safe and effective methods for disposing of or neutralizing removed and captured PFAS.
• There is not yet appropriate legislation, but also a lack of knowledge on what to do with the concentrated PFAS waste, which slows down the remediation efforts.
Full story
The panel gathered around the growing concerns over PFAS contamination in drinking water and the various responsibilities involved in addressing the issue. PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals," are highly persistent in the environment, raising serious health and environmental concerns. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for PFAS removal and explored the complexities surrounding the technical, financial, and regulatory aspects.
Table 3. The importance of a transcending plan (Delta plan) for water quality and availability in The Netherlands
Background
Both the availability and quality of water are increasingly under pressure in The Netherlands. The need to develop solutions is becoming apparent across all sectors of society, affecting both individuals, businesses, agriculture and nature. This raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the current water system and how we can achieve lasting, sustainable solutions. Especially since different aspects of water are governed by different bodies such as water boards, drinking water companies, and local-, regional-, and national governments.
Key take aways
• Control over water availability and the guarantee of water quality are not a given.
• Local initiatives and strategies need to be unified.
• Knowledge of technological solutions should be widely available and common practice.
• Water has evolved from being nearly free to a valuable resource.
• Education is essential in raising awareness about the need to secure water quality and availability.
• The current level of cooperation between water boards, governments, water companies, research institutions, and advocacy groups should be taken to a next level in order to increase the success rate of collective water management efforts.
• Long-term strategies should emphasize sustainable water use, proactive climate adaptation measures, and the protection of natural water resources.
• Public education, innovation in water management, and continuous stakeholder engagement will also play a crucial role in addressing future water challenges.
• It is not only the availability of water that raises concerns; the declining quality of water is equally alarming.
• stakeholders in the water sector should be advancing and promoting technological innovations, such as advanced water purification technologies. Sharing best practices and building collaborations across sectors is crucial for scaling up these technologies.
• More emphasis should be placed on creating systems that not only manage excess water but also store and repurpose it to combat droughts and water shortages.
Full story
The current water system is under increasing stress due to changing weather patterns, urbanization, and pollution. While there are established drainage infrastructures, the focus must shift to water retention and reuse. More emphasis should be placed on creating systems that not only manage excess water but also store and repurpose it to combat droughts and water shortages. A thorough evaluation of existing systems' adaptability to future conditions is needed. The impact has become particularly evident in recent years, as water companies have faced limitations in their primary supply, leading to reduced service levels. In some cases, water companies have even been unable to supply newly established businesses, such as NX Filtration.
Both the availability and quality of water are increasingly under pressure in The Netherlands. The need to develop solutions is becoming apparent across all sectors of society, affecting both individuals, businesses, agriculture and nature. This raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the current water system and how we can achieve lasting, sustainable solutions. Especially since different aspects of water are governed by different bodies such as water boards, drinking water companies, and local-, regional-, and national governments.
Key take aways
• Control over water availability and the guarantee of water quality are not a given.
• Local initiatives and strategies need to be unified.
• Knowledge of technological solutions should be widely available and common practice.
• Water has evolved from being nearly free to a valuable resource.
• Education is essential in raising awareness about the need to secure water quality and availability.
• The current level of cooperation between water boards, governments, water companies, research institutions, and advocacy groups should be taken to a next level in order to increase the success rate of collective water management efforts.
• Long-term strategies should emphasize sustainable water use, proactive climate adaptation measures, and the protection of natural water resources.
• Public education, innovation in water management, and continuous stakeholder engagement will also play a crucial role in addressing future water challenges.
• It is not only the availability of water that raises concerns; the declining quality of water is equally alarming.
• stakeholders in the water sector should be advancing and promoting technological innovations, such as advanced water purification technologies. Sharing best practices and building collaborations across sectors is crucial for scaling up these technologies.
• More emphasis should be placed on creating systems that not only manage excess water but also store and repurpose it to combat droughts and water shortages.
Full story
The current water system is under increasing stress due to changing weather patterns, urbanization, and pollution. While there are established drainage infrastructures, the focus must shift to water retention and reuse. More emphasis should be placed on creating systems that not only manage excess water but also store and repurpose it to combat droughts and water shortages. A thorough evaluation of existing systems' adaptability to future conditions is needed. The impact has become particularly evident in recent years, as water companies have faced limitations in their primary supply, leading to reduced service levels. In some cases, water companies have even been unable to supply newly established businesses, such as NX Filtration.
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