Towards a clearer water future — a three-part series

Oftentimes the product of interdisciplinary collaboration, these novel technologies and approaches — many of which extend proof of concept and are already in operation in the small Scandinavian nation — stand out as emblems of an industry in transition. 

As we become increasingly aware of the critical significance of sustainable water and wastewater management, we can be encouraged by the emergence of these working solutions which show that there is another way to approach provision of these most essential of services. A way that is defined by sustainability and holistic thinking gearing water and wastewater services for complementary integration with other sectors of human industry and activity we seek to better. 

To be sure, we are seeing how water sectors can give back to society across multiple metrics, besides providing the vital services we typically associated with them.  

So for good reason, Danish water technologies and know-how is an increasingly common feature of water operations the world over. In Denmark itself, however, it is clear that the groups responsible for forging this new direction for water and wastewater are far from done. There are higher targets, ambitious prototypes, and new solutions in the pipeline — all pitched for bringing water sectors further into the twenty-first century. 

This three-part series takes a look at three areas of focus in the Danish water landscape, exploring some of the flagship solutions now in operation and planned for the future, as well as the philosophy and collaboration that has helped secure successes to date and underpins a shift to a clearer water future. 

The series is published as a complement and introduction to the Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology (WATEC) summer school, 'Advanced Water Cycle Management Course', which was hosted 11-23 August 2019 in Denmark.