The Northern Dutch Water Technology sector
The Netherlands has been a home for innovative thinking around water for several hundred years. Huge infrastructure projects such as the Zuiderzee Works and Delta Works in the 20th Century cemented the Netherlandsâ reputation in this sector. In more recent years, the Northern Netherlands has emerged as the pre-eminent region for advances in water technology. In fact, the city of Leeuwarden in particular is so important within the world water-technology sector that it has been participating in the âGlobal Compact Citiesâ Programme run by the United Nations. Aside from the city of Milwaukee in the United States, Leeuwarden is the only city to specialise in water technology as part of this programme.
If you are someone who is interested in the water technology sector in the Northern Netherlands, look no further than WaterCampus Leeuwarden. WaterCampus exists to stimulate co-working and exists as the âlinks in the chainâ between research and business: the system is referred to as the WaterCampus Innovation Chain. WaterCampus is formed by its three managing partners: Wetsus, Centre of Expertise for Water Technology (CEW) and Water Alliance. The Campus also has an education trajectory, with opportunities for learning about the use of water from primary school age, through to university-level education and PhDâs.
Wetsus is the European Centre of Excellence for Water Technology. Research areas at Wetsus cover a huge range of topics, under the themes âsustainable water supplyâ, âwastewater treatment and reuseâ, âsensoring of micro/nano pollutantsâ; âreuse of components and production of energyâ and ânew water sourcesâ. There are over 30 research projects being carried out under these themes. Aside from huge research output, both Wetsus and the WaterCampus Leeuwarden put on regular business-focused activities, with the Campus offering various nimble working facilities for start-ups.
The Centre of Expertise for Water Technology (CEW) in Leeuwarden is the Netherlands' leading knowledge and innovation centre for applied research and product development in the field of water technology. They're also a managing partner of a triad of research institutions on watertech in Friesland, which is the main hub for this industry in the North (and a major hub in the Netherlands as a whole).
The final managing partner of WaterCampus, Water Alliance, is a partnership of public and private companies that focuses on bringing together a âcomplete chain of innovation for water technologyâ - from idea to practical application. Water Alliance also provides access to specialised facilities, pilot projects, funding opportunities and focuses on international collaboration to help promote the âWater Technology Innovation Chain.â
With its three managing partnersâWetsus, CEW, and Water AllianceâWaterCampus supports the full innovation process from groundbreaking research to market-ready solutions. For anyone interested in contributing to or benefiting from this dynamic sector, WaterCampus offers the ideal environment to connect with leading experts, access cutting-edge facilities, and be part of a global network addressing critical water challenges.
Some watertech initiatives and companies in the North
Studying water(tech)
One other educational institution who has significant expertise in the field of water technology is the Van Hall Laurenstein University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden, which conducts research on ways to make water use more sustainable, and the contribution that can be made to the circular economy using water technology.
Moreover, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences has an innovative lectorat in Water Technology, with both a teaching and research function (mostly in Dutch, unfortunately!). The University of Groningen offers joint-degrees in Water Technology (MSc level).
International-friendly companies and jobs in watertech
Internships
Founding Business Development Representative (BDR)
Ferr-Tech
Moekotte
North Water
Landustrie Sneek B.V.
HULO.ai
Aqana
Econvert Water & Energy B.V.
Wetsus
Desah
Acquaint
Watertech is one of those industries that is highly innovative in the North. We see that this results in more opportunities for internationals!
TopDutch has gathered more innovative companies which you can find on the right. Not all of 'em hire internationals. Yet. đ
