After hard work on planning, construction and licensing, several demos of Interreg 2 Seas project FRESH4Cs moved on to operations and the first results are trickling in. The project is all about alternative sustainable fresh water sources for coastal areas. Later this year, we will also organise visiting days at the demo sites. Whats is going on where?
The Centre of Expertise for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the HZ University of Applied Sciences (NL), the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (BE), ILVO (BE) and Vlakwa (BE) surveyed farmers in the Oudland Polder, where the FRESH4Cs project will demonstrate creek ridge infiltration as a sustainable freshwater source. The results give us insight into the water demand and the water sources that farmers are currently using for various purposes. The survey was completed by a total of 101 farmers.
How does FRESH4Cs provide alternative sustainable water resources for our coastal regions? We explain it in 3 minutes in this easy to understand animation video.
The Suffolk case is taking big leaps - the installation is now fully operational and pumping. The innovations put in practice can save up to 600,000 tonnes of water each year; the succesful installation has received much media attention.
Water Management students at FRESH4CS partner HZ University (NL) conducted a practical assignment to assess how efficient a sand filter is in removing phosphate and total suspended solids from treated wastewater. Their results should prove valuable to partner Lamb Weston Meijer in their own research within the FRESH4Cs project.
Most demo cases have designed their infrastructure, and are now waiting for their permits. In the UK, construction has already begun and will be finished soon. Next year, 2021, will be an important year for the project as the different demos will start construction.
The FRESH4Cs project consortium organized a co-creation and inspiration session at Dow Benelux for local farmers. The workshop was targeted at answering questions on how we can cooperate on regional fresh water solutions and investigate if local farmers were willing to get involved in the project.
On October 30th DOW Benelux presented the results of a feasibility study for a FRESH4Cs pilot demonstration in Braakman Zuid. About 40 local participants were informed about the current challenges and possible solutions.
FRESH4Cs organized a start conference in Bruges on September 24st 2019, focusing on the technological and non-technological solutions and barriers for fresh water provision in coastal regions. Experts and academics presented the newest insights in this field.