Integrated technological concepts for safe and good quality circular resources in agri-food environments (KB-55-000-004)

Food production systems must adapt to increasing pressure on drinking water supplies as a result of climate change. Water reuse offers a viable solution, but requires strict safety standards. In addition, systemic changes in water management and spatial planning are crucial to adapt to changing precipitation patterns and ensure resilient food production.

In the Netherlands, many companies, particularly in the agri-food sector, face restrictions on obtaining new drinking water connections or increasing their water consumption, making it essential for companies to reduce their water consumption. Water reuse offers a promising solution, but this raises several important considerations. Any water reuse strategy must meet strict safety and quality requirements to ensure that the reclaimed water is suitable for its intended use. This is particularly important in the food production industry, where water quality has a direct impact on food safety. In addition, water treatment processes often generate residual products or concentrated waste streams that must be treated responsibly. Decisions on how to deal with these residual streams, for example through additional treatment, safe disposal or recovery of raw materials, are essential to reduce the environmental impact of water reuse and ensure safe food production in the agri-food sector.

The agricultural sector in the Netherlands also faces major challenges due to changing precipitation patterns, which lead to extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts. This complexity is further exacerbated by the sector's diverse water needs, as different agricultural activities vary throughout the year in terms of the quantities and quality of water required.

This project aims to develop a decision support tool for smart water management to increase the efficiency of water reuse and advanced recovery practices in food production and processing. A “food safety by design” approach will be used to assess the risks of alternative water sources, ensuring the safety and integrity of food chains. The project will also evaluate the impact of climate change on the water needs of the agricultural sector and explore innovations to increase resilience to extreme weather conditions, including adaptation strategies for heavy rainfall and drought. Environmental sustainability is a key focus, addressing water and nutrient recovery to promote more resilient and circular resource use.