We are proud to share that BlueVantage, a major national research and innovation programme focused on securing a clean and future-proof water supply, has been awarded NWO Perspective funding and will launch in 2026. The programme brings together a broad consortium of knowledge institutes, public organizations, and private partners to jointly develop next-generation water treatment technologies and sustainable reuse strategies.

About BlueVantage

Our water system is under increasing pressure due to climate change, pollution, and rising demand. BlueVantage addresses these challenges by developing integrated biological, physicochemical, and nature-based water treatment technologies capable of removing persistent pollutants such as PFAS from drinking water and wastewater streams. The programme also explores how valuable materials can be recovered from industrial and municipal wastewater.

To ensure real-world impact, the consortium will test its innovations in practice and work toward a shared vision for how regulation and policy can better enable safe, effective water reuse. The goal: a cleaner, more reliable, and affordable water system that supports both people and nature.

Programme lead: dr. N.B. (Nora) Sutton – Wageningen University and Research

Co-applicants: dr. M.L. de Baat, dr. ir. R.P. Bartholomeus, dr. ir. P.F.H. van den Brink, dr. ir. H.J. Cappon, dr. ir. J.E. Dykstra, dr. M. van Eekert, mr. dr. H.K. Gilissen, prof. dr. D. Huitema, prof. dr. S.R.A. Kersten, prof. dr. ir. M.K. de Kreuk, prof. dr. ir. R.G.H. Lammertink, dr. ing. S.P.J. van Leeuwen, dr. ing. K.M. Lompe, prof. dr. ir. A.R. Mels, M.D.M. Palmeros Parada MSc, prof. dr. ir. L.C. Rietveld, dr. M van Schaik, dr. ir. M.G.M. van de Schans, dr. S. Shariat Torbaghan, dr. G. Sigmund, dr. D. Sudmalis, dr. E. te Brinke, prof. dr. ir. W.M. de Vos, dr. T.V. Wagner, prof. dr. A.P. van Wezel, prof. dr. H.A.B. Wöste

Knowlegde institutes: Universiteit van Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research, HZ University of Applied Sciences, Universiteit Utrecht, Universiteit Twente, Technische Universiteit Delft, Stichting Wageningen Research 

Consortium: AMS Institute, Dunea, Equinix, Evides Industriewater, Evides Waterbedrijf, FLO Legal, Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland, KWR Water B.V., LeAF B.V., LTO, Nijhuis Saur Industries, Norit, North Sea Port, NvWA BuRO, Omgevingsdienst Noordzeekanaalgebied, Paques Global B.V., Pentair X-Flow, Port of Amsterdam, N.V. PWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland, REDstack B.V., Rijkswaterstaat, The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), RIWA-Rijn, RNMW Advocaten B.V., Haskoning, Shell, STOWA, Waterlab Flevoland, Waternet, Waterschap Aa en Maas, Waterschap Rijn en IJssel, Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe, Witteveen+Bos, Zeolyst

i4CS Contributions

The institute 4 a Circular Society played several meaningful roles in the development of the BlueVantage proposal and will continue to explore how we can contribute during implementation:

• Connecting communities: We supported strategic connections with UU, WUR, DCC, and the RIVM, partners also active in recent EWUU seed calls strengthening community building across the circular water domain.
• Scientific and strategic review: The i4CS team members helped in building the proposal, preparing the rebuttal, and the preparation of the successful oral defense for the evaluation committee of NWO.
• Alignment with a broader project family: BlueVantage is part of a larger ecosystem of water-related research and innovation projects of NWO in the time frame 2015-2031 — Water Nexus, ENTIRE, AquaConnect, STURDI, and now extended with BlueVantage. About 100 stakeholders across the water sector and 50 water science partners are and have been active in all these water projects. In this way, I4CS establishes research-to-impact communities that help our society to transition to a sustainable world.

EWUU-i4CS stimulates these Circular approaches with research-to-impact in our main domains, Circular Regions and Circular Hospitals. We actively participate in interactive sessions with stakeholders in running projects such as AquaConnect and BlueVantage. In addition, we launch seed projects and for circular water. Currently there is one seed project on prevention of pharmaceutical residues to enter the water cycle and one on enhancing Circular Water Policies. From these seed projects, we aim for new and larger projects to be launched.

Looking Ahead

In 2026, the BlueVantage kick-off will take place, and the AquaConnect project will have its closing seminar, with dates that will be communicated later. These moments offer opportunities for i4CS to play an active role in strengthening community engagement across this growing project family and supporting cross-sector collaboration on circular water solutions. BlueVantage marks an exciting new step forward in building a resilient, circular water system for the Netherlands and beyond and we are proud to contribute to its foundation and implementation.