In a competitive global water market, pre-commercial testing is difficult and costly at operational scale and investors are reluctant to invest in unproven technology. This way it can take 15-20 years to bring new technology to the market. To accelerate the time to market and thus increase market opportunities in this fast growing sector, the Interreg North-West Europe project Water Test Network helps SMEs to test their innovative water technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5-8.

Network of testing facilities

In order to achieve its goals, Water Test Network establishes a transnational network of operational scale demonstrator sites in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. The different testing facilities offer a range of water types, both clean and waste water, in rural and urban settings, for specialist applications such as pharma or agriculture … and are open to technology providers (SMEs) from across the North-West Europe region.

Belgian test locations include the drinking water production facilities from De Watergroep (de Blankaart, Kluizen …) and Ghent University’s VEG-i-TEC (in development).

Support for more than 120 SMEs

A close collaboration with SMEs is central to the Water Test Network project. Therefore, it offers them an integrated package of support, connects them to the best possible site for their needs and addresses them through a range of specific Innovation Challenges. The goal is to support at least 120 SMEs by testing 90 new technologies, of which 30 will be brought to the market. 

To ensure the continuation of the network after the project lifetime, Water Test Network will also develop a business model for collaboration between partners and provide access to the network on a paid-for basis in the future.

More information

Water Test Network has received funding from the Interreg North-West Europe programme. It encompasses a total of 7 project partners, 5 sub partners and 2 associated partners. Scottish Water Horizons acts as the coordinating partner. 

Project website: www.nweurope.eu/projects/project-search/water-test-network/
Vlakwa contact: Charlotte Boeckaert