Due to high population density, strong industrialisation and climate change, Belgium is increasingly struggling with water stress (our water stress indicator is 56%, countries start showing stress from an indicator higher than 25%). It goes without saying that water is an indispensable raw material for companies in the process industry.

In spite of a favourable evolution in water consumption and water efficiency of companies, their water stress remains worryingly high. Especially the increasing drought has a major impact on the process industry. Often, with the exception of a few larger companies, they do not have a special department that deals with water management on a daily basis, or they are not aware of their own water risks.

Companies need knowledge not only about their own water risks, but also about existing alternative water sources, suitable monitoring instruments and the legal framework in the field of water management. In this way, companies can better take into account external factors that influence their water availability and thus better arm themselves against future water shortages.

Collective Research & Development and Collective Knowledge Dissemination (COOCK), supported by Vlaio

Project HBC.2019.0105

Cooperation between Flanders’ FOOD (projectcoördinator), Centexbel, Watercircle.be, VITO and Universiteit Gent

1 January 2020 – 31 December 2022