Climate change, drought and changing pollution patterns put an increasing pressure on drinking water sources. Protecting drinking water requires earlier identification of risks and a faster operational response.
ToDrinQ addresses this need by developing real-time sensors for continuous water-quality monitoring, alongside innovative treatment technologies, early-warning systems and decision-support tools. The project is also investigating advanced treatment and disinfection processes to address risks such as micropollutants, pathogenic microorganisms and disinfection by-products.
The objective is to make drinking water systems more robust and adaptable, helping operators to:
- Identify unusual changes in water quality at an earlier stage.
- Adjust treatment processes according to current conditions.
- Assess risks throughout the system, from the water source to its supply.
The importance of these developments can be seen in Amsterdam’s demo case. Researchers are testing innovative materials for PFAS removal and evaluating their removal efficiency, environmental impact and cost. They are also developing soft sensors and process-control models for treatment processes such as coagulation and ozonation. Together, these technologies could improve operators’ ability to monitor changing conditions and optimise treatment processes.
During droughts, reduced river flows can increase pollutant concentrations. If the same quantity of substances, such as PFAS is discharged into a smaller volume of water, the water reaching the Netherlands may become more difficult and expensive to treat. These highlights the need to combine advanced monitoring and treatment technologies with stronger action to prevent pollution at its source.
