Water Smart Connect ends with breakthroughs and new projects ahead

Water Smart Connect (WSC), the ambitious cross-regional collaboration funded by the European Union, marked its official conclusion on June 30, 2025. The project aimed to build more integrated, inclusive, and effective water innovation ecosystems to tackle major water challenges in regions across Europe. Its results are already paving the way for new initiatives, most notably the newly approved ReCircWater project, which is set to transform stormwater management.

Shaping tomorrow’s water systems

WSC promoted a water-smart society—one that optimizes all water resources, minimizes pollution risks, and addresses climate change through cross-sector collaboration. The project focused on four key innovation areas:

Water and food systems

Climate adaptation

Pollution prevention

Transregional cooperation

A series of infographics developed during the project offer a clear overview of the technologies, challenges, and opportunities identified—available for public viewing.

Download: Shaping a water-smart future

From Workshop to new project

What began as a small workshop with just six participants at Clean’s 2024 Annual Meeting has now evolved into a fully funded initiative. As of June 2025, the ReCircWater project has officially been approved. Its mission: to develop holistic, cost-effective methods for treating and reusing stormwater—reducing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, and tackling hazardous substances such as microplastics and PFAS.

“It’s incredible how a small group of dedicated experts can spark a chain reaction of innovation. ReCircWater is a perfect example of how ideas can be transformed into tangible solutions that benefit both the environment and scientific progress.”

– Jack Bruce Reid, Business Analyst, Clean

Looking ahead

ReCircWater plans to pilot innovative stormwater solutions with Novafos, which plans to pilot innovative rainwater solutions aligned with new Danish environmental regulations. The project also includes pilot sites in Denmark, Sweden, and Poland, focusing on both technological development and capacity building.

“Water knows no borders—it’s a shared resource that demands shared solutions. The collaboration fostered by Water Smart Connect is the foundation for a future where cleaner water and smarter management benefit us all.”

-Scott Grønnegaard Allison, Chief Project Manager & Head of Water, Clean