DARROW Project

We all need and use water every day and thereby produce wastewater. Around 380 trillion litres globally every year. Treating this wastewater is very energy intensive. How can we make the treatment of wastewater more sustainable?   In the DARROW project, we use artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants. Watch Ion Irizar, Klaas Bombeke, and Ruud Peeters explain how we plan to unlock the potential of wastewater, without neglecting the human aspects involved in using AI.   Learn more about the DARROW project on wastewater.ai.   We are excited to be working together in a fantastic and international consortium: Cobalt Water Global , ESCI - European Science Communication Institute , Royal HaskoningDHV, VITO, Universiteit Gent, Waterschap De Dommel, Ceit Research Center, imec.   #wastewater #AI #watersector #WastewaterTreatment #technologies #digitalisation

Plastic waste is everywhere. What if we could turn it into something useful? ♻️ Plastic pollution continues to endanger our ecosystems. It is harming wildlife, polluting water and soil with toxic chemicals, and disrupting natural habitats. Its long-lasting nature means the damage caused will persist for centuries. But there is hope: Researchers have found a new way to combat plastic pollution by using bacteria in wastewater to break down plastics into valuable materials. This breakthrough reduces waste and transforms it into bioplastics and food-grade chemicals, providing a sustainable solution for the future. Embracing this technology could help solve two problems at once — waste management and resource scarcity — paving the way for a circular economy. Learn more👇

Potty, washroom, lavatory, water closet, toilet…   There are many names for the place we visit every day. On today’s world toilet day, let us recognise the importance of sanitation and access to clean toilets.   Enjoy some fun toilet facts 👇   #WorldToiletDay

Are we doing enough to secure Europe's water future? More than 30% of the EU population currently faces water scarcity. This issue is impacting crucial industries like semiconductors and electric vehicle battery production. These sectors are projected to see a 2.6-fold increase in water demand, highlighting the urgency for sustainable solutions. Based on a socio-economic study, Water Europe is calling for a €255 billion investment in water management over the next six years as a result of their socio-economic study. With climate change and water scarcity looming large, strategic investments in water management are essential for ensuring economic growth and ecological resilience. Durk Krol, Executive Director of Water Europe, highlights that embracing water-smart technologies could save Europe €3 billion annually while creating over 13,000 jobs. Lean more about the study here 👇

The cosmic call of nature: going to the toilet in space 🚀🚽 Ever wondered how astronauts handle one of the most basic human needs? If you thought the image of space toilet was mind-boggling, buckle up, because it gets even more spacy. Gravity is your best friend when it comes to using the bathroom here on Earth. But in space, with zero gravity, it's a whole different story. So, how do astronauts manage? Let's start with the "facilities" onboard the spacecraft. Astronauts use specially designed toilets that work in microgravity. These space toilets utilise airflow and suction to guide waste away from the body. Foot restraints and handholds allow astronauts to anchor themselves and stay put amidst the weightlessness. What happens to the waste? It's not like you can just flush it into the great void of space. Instead, believe it or not, your urine is recycled into drinking water! The solid waste, including toilet paper and gloves, is neatly disposed of in watertight bags. While a small portion is sent back to Earth for analysis, the majority is vacuum-sealed, stored, and eventually incinerated during the spacecraft's departure from the station. Space agencies take waste management seriously! 🚀 Could you use a toilet in zero gravity? Let us know in the comments. #SpaceToilet #FunFactFriday

Water security at risk, but a new EU strategy offers hope Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns are making water scarcity an imminent threat. With 20% of European territory and 30% of the population facing water stress annually, the costs are mounting, both economically and ecologically. Therefore, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, is bringing back the Water Resilience Strategy for 2024-2029. This strategy focuses on sustainable water management and climate adaptation. It aims to secure Europe's water future through innovation, funding, and resilient infrastructure. Learn more about the strategy in this insightful article by Water News Europe 👇

From sewage to solutions: Advanced wastewater monitoring with the help of AI   The wastewater sector is undergoing a digital transformation. With the increasing use of sensor technology, data are being collected at a larger scale, creating opportunities for operational improvements through predictive models.   At the Tilburg wastewater treatment plant in the Netherlands, which processes around 60,000 m³ of wastewater daily, we are leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to enhance operational efficiency.  Our partners at VITO have developed an influent prediction model to better manage the inflow and prevent system overloads, ensuring the plant operates smoothly and sustainably.   The model is based on a Long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network designed to recognise patterns in sequences of data. This innovative tool allows us to anticipate changes in inflow, optimize energy use, and avoid inefficiencies.   Read more about how #AI is transforming water management in this blog article by #TeamDARROW members Maarten Van Loo and Frie Van Bauwel 👇   https://lnkd.in/eEbqBMJ7 #wastewater #innovation #WaterManagement

🌍 Happy World Energy Day! 🌟   Today we celebrate the incredible advancements in energy innovation that have contributed to our world's progress. It is a moment to reflect on the pivotal role energy plays in our lives and the opportunities it presents for a sustainable future.   By integrating AI and data-driven techniques, the DARROW project stands as an example of how technology can improve the traditional and resource-intensive methods in wastewater treatment. We are working towards more sustainable energy use.   Speaking of AI: We asked the Canva AI image generator to draw a futuristic wastewater treatment plant. Marvel at the future!   #WorldEnergyDay #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #Innovation

Dive into the world of wastewater stats on World Statistics Day   From generating energy to offsetting pollution, wastewater is a powerful resource. Yet, its benefits are not fully harnessed.   On #WorldStatisticsDay, let’s shine a light on the untapped potential of wastewater and its role in building a more sustainable future.   Discover some intriguing statistics and fun facts about wastewater's potential below 👇

What if the water that flows down our drains could do more than just disappear?   Across Europe, various projects are turning industrial wastewater into valuable resources like biogas, fertiliser, and even ingredients for food and cosmetics.   In Spain, the Mahou San Miguel brewery is using wastewater filled with organic matter to generate biogas for power and heat. This innovation, part of the ULTIMATE Water EU project, turns leftover hops, grains, and beer into valuable energy for the site. The success has prompted plans to expand the bioreactor, with future projections covering up to 6% of the brewery’s energy needs.   Alongside ULTIMATE, the WIDER UPTAKE EU Project is focusing on tackling regulatory and social hurdles to wastewater recovery. In Prague, for example, the project is exploring the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation, while in Norway, they are recovering fertilisers from industrial wastewater. The project is building a roadmap to promote water reuse and recovery on a global scale.   Both ULTIMATE and WIDER UPTAKE demonstrate how diverse industries can collaborate to turn waste into valuable resources, making strides towards a circular economy.   Learn more about these projects in this article from the Horizon Magazine 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6V-CjbQ     #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #EUResearch