Cofunded by the European Union

Institution/Coordinating Institution : 
Ghent University
Other partners : 
CAPTURE (Belgium)
Country : 
Belgium
Current Status : 
Active
Location : 
Frieda Saeysstraat 1, 9052 Gent, Belgium
More local or institution-based Research Facility type : 
Single Site RI (Geographically localised central facility)
Level of Access : 
Other
(Access to the pilot infrastructure by arrangement with the operators; eligibility and conditions to be confirmed.)
Cost of Access : 
Other
(to be discussed with operators. Many options possible)
Water4All Keywords : 
Emerging contaminants - Antimicrobial resistance - Water Infrastructures - Water technologies - Water-smart circular economy - Other
(Drinking water; microbial quality & safety, Drinking water, Distribution systems, Biofilm, Microbial water quality, Online monitoring, Temperature, Source water, Taste and odour)
Domains and thematic area : 
Health and Wellbeing - Water Value and Usage - Sustainable Water Management
Services provided : 
Other
(Access to the drinking water distribution pilot infrastructure for controlled experiments and sampling; arrangements with the operators.)
Equipment : 
Hydraulic laboratory - Other
(

Three independent 100 m PVC-U distribution loops with interchangeable pipe sections, temperature control, buffer tanks, sampling valves and online sensors; online flow cytometry can be connected.

)
Type of variables provided : 
Water quality variables - Biological and ecological variables
Frequency of Measurements : 
Continuous Monitoring (Real-time, 10-min. period, hourly, every few hours, daily etc.) - Periodic Sampling (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.)
Variables Provided : 
Online: flow rate, pressure, temperature, pH and conductivity. Experiment-dependent samples: microbial cell counts and fingerprints (flow cytometry), biofilm, organic carbon, nutrients/ions and taste/odour volatile compounds. Sampling and analysis frequency depends on the study.
Fair Principles : 
Off
Evidence: García-Timermans et al., 'Pilot-scale drinking water distribution system to study water quality changes during transport', npj Clean Water (2023), DOI 10.1038/s41545-023-00264-8, PDF 1410015860/Garcia-Timerman-2023-Pilot-scale drinking wate.pdf, pp. 1-5; Waegenaar et al., 'Impact of temperature and water source on drinking water microbiome during distribution in a pilot-scale study', npj Clean Water (2024), DOI 10.1038/s41545-024-00371-0, PDF 4240030176/Waegenaar-2024.pdf, pp. 1-2. Papers demonstrate research use but do not establish public data access, access fees, funding sustainability, governance, FAIR status or exact opening date; confirm these with the facility operators. Existing Water4All tags 'Antimicrobial resistance' and 'Water-smart circular economy' are not specifically demonstrated for this pilot in these papers.
Source : 
Phase 2 questionnaire and website
Subcategory : 
Important scientific Infrastructures related to freshwater
Links with other RIs : 
Co-Udlabs

Pilot-scale drinking water distribution system at CAPTURE (Ghent University) with three independent, identical 100 m PVC-U pipe loops. The loops permit parallel tests of source water, temperature, flow and pipe materials. Online sensors monitor flow, pressure, temperature, pH and conductivity; sampling ports support water, biofilm, microbial and taste/odour analyses. Temperature control, interchangeable pipe sections and optional buffer tanks support controlled experiments.

Part A: Research Infrastructures / Observatories

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The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.