Water Test Network

Innovation Support Vouchers 

The Water Test Network offers SMEs an integrated package of support in the form of Innovation Support Vouchers. These vouchers will be tailored to the needs of the SMEs and guarantee a certain level of fully-funded support, which could be any of the following  components:

1. Access to a test facility to allow the SME to test their technology;
2. Support with validation and verification to assist market entry, where necessary.

Support for an SME can be up to €50,000 (no cash, in-kind services like analytics, testing space and verification), except where a special case is made for high potential. All costs will be de minimis, with appropriate recording.

Through the voucher system the SME will be matched to the most appropriate support / test facility. The voucher will cover the cost of the relevant support, such as the cost incurred by the test facility in hosting the trial. All the SME’s cost, including but not limited to their own staffing, travel, accommodation and logistics, will be met by the SME.

On the test facility page you can find detailed information about the various test facilities accessible within the project.

Who can apply?

All small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from North-West Europe can apply. An SME is defined as an organisation with no more as 250 employees and a turnover of at most €50 million.  

In the ‘Innovation Voucher Terms of Reference’ you can read all the information about who is eligible, the application process, the main characteristics of the innovation vouchers and the selection criteria.

How to apply?

Applications for the vouchers can be submitted at any point from 11 December 2018 until September 2022.

The application process consists of two stages.  

1. Applicants should first contact the Innovation Chaser in their region. The Innovation Chaser is the first point of contact and will support the applicant throughout the application process. He/she will assess initial eligibility of the applicant.

2. If the applicant is eligible for support the Innovation Chaser will then support the applicant through the second stage of the application process. The 'Guidance Notes' below provide the applicant with detailed information about how to fill in the stage 2 application form.

Innovation Support Voucher documents:

In the files below you can find all the necessary documents (per stage) for the application process:

Stage 1 documents

• Stage 1 application form
• De-minimis and SME declaration

Stage 2 documents

• Stage 2 application form

Additional documents:

• Innovation Voucher Application Process
• Innovation Voucher Terms of Reference
• Privacy Policy

Test facilities

The Water Test Network offers 14 operational scale demonstration sites across North-West Europe with a range of water types and applications. These will be accessible for SMEs located in the North-West Europe region to assist them in developing products to be market-ready and linked to key sector needs. For detailed information about the test facilities’ applications, water types, facilities and equipment, please click or download the facility of your interest below. More information about the test facilities can be found here. 

The project makes a range of water types available for testing. The following water types are available in the Water Test Network. Click on the '+' sign to see what demosite works with this specific type of water. 

Meet the innovation chasers

The innovation chasers are your first point of contact to the Water Test Network project. They can guide and support you in completing the stage 1 and 2 application forms.

Please see the countries below for the innovation chaser in your region.

During the project the Water Test Network project will issue at least 5 different Innovation Challenges. Water sector end users (public utilities, large industries) have the opportunity to submit existing water problems to which a solution is sought from innovative SMEs. The SMEs will be engaged to these challenges in a ‘meet the buyer’ type of exercise.

Innovation Challenge  - Digital solutions for energy efficiency:

For the latest innovation challenge the Water Test Network is looking for SMEs who are developing digital or sensing solutions to monitor and to reduce the energy consumption level of water treatment facilities. Developments should be at least at TRL 4. You will be in a position to showcase and finetune your digital solutions in a real test environment. This can either be a drinking water production centre or a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The innovation must be cost-effective and sustainable. SMEs, preferentially located in the North West European region, can apply by submitting an application form no later than 17 March 2022 at 12 pm.

Innovation Challenge 5: Digital solutions for energy efficiency

CLOSED - Innovation Challenge  - Generate value from Brines

For the fourth innovation challenge the WTN is looking for SMEs who are developing technologies to generate value from brines. Focus is on brines from drinking water production, (industrial) wastewater treatment and geothermal sites. Technologies should be at least at TRL 4. You will be in a position to showcase your innovative technology in a real test environment.

Innovation Challenge 4: Generate value from Brines

CLOSED - Innovation Challenge - PFAS Removal

For the third innovation challenge of the WTN project we are looking for European SMEs who have or are developing innovative technologies to remove PFAS. Are you this SME and willing to showcase this in a real test environment with the funded support (with a value of up to €50.000) from the project.

Innovation Challenge 3: PFAS Removal

CLOSED - Innovation Challenge - Pharmaceutical Removal

Are you an SME who has innovative technologies to detect and/or remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater? And are you willing to demonstrate this in a full scale municipal wastewater treatment plant with the fully funded support (with a value to up to €50.000) of the project?

Innovation Challenge 2: Pharmaceutical Removal

CLOSED - Innovation Challenge - Sludge Processing

For the first innovation challenge we are looking for SMEs who can help improve the sludge process. Are you a SME from North West Europe with a innovative technology willing to showcase this in a real test environment, please submit an application no later than 31 May 2019 at 12 pm.

Please click on the link below for more information about the challenge, the offer, conditions and application process.

Innovation Challenge 1: Sludge Processing

Other Innovation Challenges

We are still collecting other water related issues for the Innovation Challenges. If you have a water issue which you want to be solved by innovative SMEs, please send an email to watertestnetwork@scottishwater.co.uk

On this page we will regularly add documents and results of the Water Test Network project. The pdf documents are clickable and have a download option.

Video

Water Test Network Introduction Video

Water Test Network full video playlist

Documents

Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Foresighting Report

Drinking Water Sector Foresight Report

Wastewater Foresight Report

An introduction to the Water Test Network (used during the launch event)

The Water Test Network in detail (used during the launch event)

Scotland: the Hydro Nation Supporting Innovation (used during the launch event)

WssTP The European Water Platform (used during the launch event)

Official Water Test Network information flyer (ENG)

Official Water Test Network information flyer (FR)

Guide to verification, validation and certification (ENG)

Video Testimonials  

ACWA Services

Aquamonitrix

Diamidex

Olpas

Van Remmen UV Technology

Testimonials

Testimonial Olpas

Testimonial post test van Remmen UV Technology

Testimonial post test Fer Tech

Testimonial Legio Logic

Testimonial Priovention

Testimonial Ferr-Tech

Testimonial UV van Remmen

Testimonial SolarDew

Case Study Kolina

Testimonial IPM 

Testimonial Greenskill Environmental Technology Ltd

Testimonial Microvi

Testimonial Pharem

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Download our press releases below: 

December 12, 2018: Water Test Network launches officially

Download our newsletter below:

December 15, 2022 Water Test Network Final Update

September 7, 2022 Water Test Network Update IWA Copenhagen, EWTW Leeuwarden

December 20, 2021 Water Test Network News: 2021 recap

September 13, 2021 Water Test Network Pollutec Special

June 11, 2021: Water Test Network Webinar Recording

May 14, 2021: Water Test Network Webinar

March 10, 2021: Water Test Network News

July 7, 2020: Water Test Network News

January 17, 2019: Water Test Network News

May 17, 2019: Updates from the Water Test Network

The Water Test Network developed a Regulatory Roadmap to guide SMEs to the respected authorities on water regulations, specifications and guidance within North West Europe.

 The Roadmap is a tool for SMEs to use as a means of speeding up the process of investigating regulations, specifications and guidance in North West Europe before, during and after entering the Water Test Network process, or in standalone projects. For SMEs, the Roadmap can create talking points, help the direction of a project and alleviate concerns when attempting to launch a new product.

 When the Roadmap is opened, it is designed to run in a flow structure, only showing the information dependant on your selection. By selecting the small tab displaying a number, the Roadmap will expand, showing options to select the next part of the process. Continue to do this until you have the option to select an organisation. By selecting the organisations tab, the organisations website will open, giving you the option to search the site for the organisation’s regulations, specifications and guidance.