Water crisis on the horizon?

Unity4Water is run by RISE and Mälardalen University under the PiiA programme (Process Industrial IT and Automation) and focuses on creating sustainable production systems. The goal is for companies to be able to reuse their process water in closed loops, where water is used over and over again without affecting the quality.

A political perspective on water management
The PiiA Annual Conference emphasised the importance of political commitment to strengthen Sweden's water preparedness and resilience. By implementing water-efficient solutions such as those in Unity4Water, we can create a model for sustainable water management that can inspire more sectors and countries. In particular, the importance of setting targets that contribute to lower energy use through water reuse and inspiring other sectors to do the same was emphasised. Political support is crucial to set national targets and drive innovation, contributing to Sweden's ambition to secure future water needs for society and industry.

How Unity4Water works on water reuse in industry
Unity4Water is based on close collaboration between technology developers, researchers and industry experts to create sustainable water systems. Here are some of the concrete steps:

• Mapping water flows
  By analysing how water flows through industrial processes, we identify where energy and resources can be saved and how water can be purified and reused.
• Development of purification technologies
  Techniques such as ozone treatment can break down micro-organisms and pollutants in a more environmentally friendly way than chemicals, while maintaining water quality.
• Implementation of closed systems
  The aim is to create closed systems where water circulates internally without the need for new fresh water from, for example, municipal water sources. This reduces dependency on external resources and lowers energy use through reuse.
• Digital monitoring
  Digital monitoring systems allow us to detect and adjust changes in real time, optimising both safety and efficiency and helping to reduce energy losses.

Sustainable technologies that create societal benefits
Unity4Water is not only about technology, but also about creating societal benefits. Reducing water consumption frees up resources, such as fresh water, energy and financial resources, which can be used to develop other areas of society. This strengthens the resilience of industry and society to water scarcity and environmental impacts.

Towards a shared vision for sustainable water
Water Wise Societies is an initiative within Impact Innovation, funded by Vinnova, Formas and the Swedish Energy Agency, with RISE as the host organisation. The aim is to promote sustainable water solutions and secure water supply for future generations. Unity4Water shares several of the goals and challenges identified by Water Wise Societies and sees great potential in joint efforts. PiiA is based on the process industry and through Unity4Water we focus on the industrial use of water. By establishing collaborations and creating synergies, we can strengthen the work for sustainable water use in industry and society at large. Unity4Water shows how industry can play a central role, and together with other initiatives in the sector, we are working towards a future where water is available in the right quantity and quality for people, the environment and business.

Want to know more?
Are you curious about sustainable water solutions? Visit the Unity4Water website to learn more about the project and other sustainable water management initiatives.