Final Report Summary - WSSTP (Water supply and sanitation technology platform)
The mission of the 'Water supply and sanitation technology platform' (WSSTP) project was to strengthen the competitiveness and the potential for technological innovation of the European water industry, of water professionals and research institutions through the development of a strategic science and research agenda, to meet global challenges and regional demands of ensuring safe, secure and sustainable water supply for human societies and for the environment and sanitation services, within the framework of the available water resources.
A very important role was foreseen for the Member States Mirror Group (MSMG). The MSMG consisted of regulators and policy makers of the Member States and from R&D Framework Programme Associated States, interested in the activities of the platform. The MSMG ensured an appropriate interface between the platform and Member States / Countries, by providing information on policies and programmes in the Member States relevant to the goals and deliverables of the technology platform. The MSMG provided representation and input to the WSSTP board through the chair (NL) and the vice-chair (LUX) and in the working groups.
During this project three documents have been produced for the public:
- The vision document : 'Water safe, strong and sustainable', was conceived and drafted by five working groups, consisting of water sector experts and representatives of water sector stakeholders. The vision paints a picture of what could be achieved by 2030 if resources for research and development resources would be made available and targeted to respond to the issues and challenges that the European water sector is facing.
- The strategic research agenda (SRA) 'Water research- a necessary investment in our common future', describes the research which must be undertaken to realise the vision. The SRA is based on an integrated and participatory approach for water resources management. The solutions are integrated across individual sectors and disciplines and involve the civil society. The strengths of all stakeholders in the sector will be combined to enable the European water sector to offer innovative and sustainable technologies to the world.
- The implementation plan (IP) describes the initial ideas for demonstration pilots and implementation cases and mechanisms for financial engineering of grants and debts. The IP will use a systems approach, which encompasses water supply, sanitation, water use in agriculture and industry and river basin management to develop solutions for the global water market. The IP describes the strategy chosen for the execution of the SRA through six pilot themes of generic research, enabling technologies development and implementation cases. The financial engineering is addressed and will be further detailed and adapted to each implementation case in the strategic deployment document.
The WSSTP project had a number of important measurable objectives, to which this SSA has contributed significantly:
- the production of the vision document, SRA and IP;
- contributing to the European industry competitiveness, by providing a multi-stakeholder framework;
- widespread consultation on and dissemination of the results of the platform number of contacts.
The joint focus of the production of the three documents is a very unique process of bringing together the various groups of stakeholders. At the start of the project the water sector was not used to cooperate with each other. Within two years time, this very diverse water sector has jointly produced a common vision and a joint research agenda. This is a major achievement which would not have been possible without the technology platform and the support it received through this Specific Support Action.
The fact that the water sector now has a multistakeholder forum will make it possible to jointly work on the research issues and the development of innovative technologies. This will be done through six pilot themes and the more than forty implementation cases all over Europe (and outside Europe) and will significantly contribute to the competitiveness of the European industry.
A very important role was foreseen for the Member States Mirror Group (MSMG). The MSMG consisted of regulators and policy makers of the Member States and from R&D Framework Programme Associated States, interested in the activities of the platform. The MSMG ensured an appropriate interface between the platform and Member States / Countries, by providing information on policies and programmes in the Member States relevant to the goals and deliverables of the technology platform. The MSMG provided representation and input to the WSSTP board through the chair (NL) and the vice-chair (LUX) and in the working groups.
During this project three documents have been produced for the public:
- The vision document : 'Water safe, strong and sustainable', was conceived and drafted by five working groups, consisting of water sector experts and representatives of water sector stakeholders. The vision paints a picture of what could be achieved by 2030 if resources for research and development resources would be made available and targeted to respond to the issues and challenges that the European water sector is facing.
- The strategic research agenda (SRA) 'Water research- a necessary investment in our common future', describes the research which must be undertaken to realise the vision. The SRA is based on an integrated and participatory approach for water resources management. The solutions are integrated across individual sectors and disciplines and involve the civil society. The strengths of all stakeholders in the sector will be combined to enable the European water sector to offer innovative and sustainable technologies to the world.
- The implementation plan (IP) describes the initial ideas for demonstration pilots and implementation cases and mechanisms for financial engineering of grants and debts. The IP will use a systems approach, which encompasses water supply, sanitation, water use in agriculture and industry and river basin management to develop solutions for the global water market. The IP describes the strategy chosen for the execution of the SRA through six pilot themes of generic research, enabling technologies development and implementation cases. The financial engineering is addressed and will be further detailed and adapted to each implementation case in the strategic deployment document.
The WSSTP project had a number of important measurable objectives, to which this SSA has contributed significantly:
- the production of the vision document, SRA and IP;
- contributing to the European industry competitiveness, by providing a multi-stakeholder framework;
- widespread consultation on and dissemination of the results of the platform number of contacts.
The joint focus of the production of the three documents is a very unique process of bringing together the various groups of stakeholders. At the start of the project the water sector was not used to cooperate with each other. Within two years time, this very diverse water sector has jointly produced a common vision and a joint research agenda. This is a major achievement which would not have been possible without the technology platform and the support it received through this Specific Support Action.
The fact that the water sector now has a multistakeholder forum will make it possible to jointly work on the research issues and the development of innovative technologies. This will be done through six pilot themes and the more than forty implementation cases all over Europe (and outside Europe) and will significantly contribute to the competitiveness of the European industry.