Aquatech Amsterdam brings us back together

With over a year of lockdowns, quarantine, and working from our dining room tables, Aquatech Amsterdam 2021 brought us back together again to celebrate water innovations.

From new announcements to company launches, it was almost impossible to follow everything that happened at this year's event, so here are five of our favourite features of Aquatech Amsterdam 2021.

Together we make water work

The first major get together in two years, Aquatech Amsterdam 2021 returned on November 2nd and saw exhibitors, speakers, panel discussions, competitive pipe tapping and of course attending events in person.

“Discussions were flowing, debates were enthralling and the technology on show was simply captivating.”

Walking the floor and bumping into old friends and new connections, this year’s event had a feel of returning to a time before the phrase ‘zoom call’ was forced into our vocabulary.

Exhibitors did not disappoint in setting up their incredible booths that only reinforced the feeling of a return to the old ways. Speakers came in by train, car, plane and even bike to give us the latest news of the innovations they have been working on. Discussions were flowing, debates were enthralling and the technology on show was simply captivating.

Lift-off

Aquatech Amsterdam 2021 provided the perfect launchpad for digital water management company Qatium to officially announce itself to the world.

At its presentation on the opening day of this year's event, Qatium demonstrated its new software, an open-source water management system that makes use of AI designed to help water utilities better track and manage their water networks.

Looking ahead, Qatium said it is planning to develop its platform and work closely with utilities around the world to create a collaborative water management platform.

Damien Acheson, chief marketing officer, and Luke Butler, director of innovation, hosted the panel including Gavin Van Tonder, chief executive of NEOM, Gigi Karmous-Edwards, Digital Twin consultant for NEOM, and Will Sarni, water strategist & CEO of The Water Foundry.

The panel answered audience questions on how the technology will assist water utility leak detection networks and help them provide better water assurances for the end-user consumers in that network.

Looking ahead, Qatium said it is planning to develop its platform and work closely with utilities around the world to create a collaborative water management platform.

New toys

H20 Innovation, a Canadian water treatment supplier, took the occasion to announce its new integrated permeate connector called the PiPerLink as part of its Piedmont business line.

The connector replaces multi-component assemblies and is compatible with most reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration brands, connection types and sizes.

The product delivers cost savings in design, manufacturing, and installation, and reduces the number of connections between the vessel and permeate or filtrate header, decreasing the risk of leakage.

"We are very excited to launch this unique product after several months of hard work from our engineering and R&D teams," said Ties Venema, managing director of Piedmont.

Desalination in LATAM agriculture

Speakers returned in person this year to give updates, new perspectives and instigate discussions on some of the biggest challenges in water.

One talk looked at how desalination and water reuse is being used successfully in Latin America (LATAM) for agriculture.

Agriculture is one of the largest water consumers, accounting for 70 per cent of annual water withdrawals globally, up to 95 per cent in developing countries.

Agriculture is one of the largest water consumers, accounting for 70 per cent of annual water withdrawals globally, up to 95 per cent in developing countries.

With demand set to keep growing and most wastewater from municipal, industrial and agricultural sources being discharged back into water bodies without treatment, the speakers called for new sources of water and to optimise the use of water in agriculture and the industry.

Water reuse and seawater desalination solutions where showcased to provide a reliable water supply for LATAM agriculture.

Drinks on us

Another feature of this year's event was the return of casual drinks receptions hosted by some of our exhibitors.

Multiple companies all picked up the tab and invited attendees to meet them at their booth for a cold one and to chat freely, network and share their thoughts and feelings about the future of the water sector.

After a year of virtual drinks with co-workers and clients, it was incredible to return the old ways to networking and socialise again, meet old and new friends alike.