Last week, the Water Europe Board held its Spring meeting in Bath, United Kingdom, hosted by the Water Innovation and Research Consortium and the University of Bath. The gathering provided a crucial platform for discussion on the evolving challenges and opportunities within the water sector and how Water Europe’s current strategy and activities align with these developments.
A key focus of the strategy session was the exploration of Water-Oriented Living Labs (#WOLLs) and Water Europe’s active involvement in European collaborative research projects. Board members engaged in in-depth discussions on leveraging these initiatives to drive innovation and practical solutions for pressing water-related issues.
Geoff Townsend and Luzette Kroon presented the detailed work plans for Water Europe’s Communities of Practice on Water-Smart River Basins and Water-Smart Industries, respectively. These presentations highlighted the practical steps being taken to foster knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the implementation of water-smart solutions across different scales and sectors.
The meeting also facilitated valuable connections with key UK organizations, including Water UK, British Water, Spring, UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), and Wessex Water. This engagement allowed for a rich exchange of insights on shared challenges and the diverse approaches being employed to achieve greater impact within the water sector.
Water Europe President Hans Goossens emphasized the unifying power of water, stating, “The water that forms the channel does not divide our nations; in fact, it provides a focal point around which we can unite.” This sentiment underscored the collaborative spirit of the meeting and the importance of international cooperation in addressing global water concerns.
The successful meeting concluded with an informal dinner at the historic Pump Rooms restaurant by the Roman Baths, providing a fitting backdrop for continued conversation and reflection on shared goals within the European water community.
Water Europe extends its sincere gratitude to all board members for their active participation and especially to Jan Hofman and Tom Arnot for their generous hospitality and for making the Spring meeting a meaningful and forward-looking event.
