The Water Test Network project aims to establish a transnational network of testing facilities which can be used by SMEs in North West Europe to test, demonstrate and develop new products for the water sector. In this way, new innovations will be developed, accelerating the time to market.  A transnational network of testing facilities offers operational demonstration sites for a range of water types in rural and urban settings which are made accessible to SMEs, anywhere in North West Europe, to assist in developing products that are market-ready and linked to key sector needs.  Read more. 

Sludge production

Is inherent to wastewater treatment. An improvement in the sludge process can substantially benefit the operational expenditures at a treatment site.  Improving the percentage of solids in sludge can reduce the costs of storage and transportation.

Challenge Description 

The Water Test Network is looking for SME’s who can help improve the sludge process; whether this is in the thickening of sludge, sludge digestion, dewatering or in the disposal/transportation of the sludge. You will be in a position  to showcase your innovative technology in a real test environment. This is a full scale municipal wastewater treatment plant producing sludge on a continuous basis. The innovation must result in an improved % dry matter of sludge or must reduce the resource usage in terms of energy, chemicals, etc.

The Offer

•    Access to a full scale municipal wastewater treatment plant: to choose between Scottish Water in Bo’ness (Scotland), Regional Water Authority Vallei and Veluwe in Apeldoorn (the Netherlands) and Wetterskip Fryslân in Leeuwarden (the Netherlands)
•    Test support in terms of operator, electricity, analytical support, health & safety
•    Unique opportunity to showcase your technology to potential buyers: interested stakeholders (e.g. water utilities) will be invited to visit the test location and to follow up the test results
•    Free ticket for the Amsterdam International Water Week/Aquatech Amsterdam (5-8 November 2019).
•    Visibility for your technology on the Water Test Network booth at the Amsterdam International Water Week/Aquatech Amsterdam (5-8 November 2019).

Interested? 

SME’s in the North West European region can apply by submitting an application form no later than 31 May 2019 at 12 pm. The application procedure for the innovation challenge follows the general innovation vouchers application procedure, outlined on the Water Test Network website. More information and application documents can be found here.