WaterMan & ERB Water Core Group in Sweden

On November 25-27, 2025, Sweden hosted the WaterMan & ERB Water Core Group Dialogue Forum conference and a project consortium partner meeting.

On the first day, in Kalmar, a forum was held on water resilience in the Baltic Sea region and practical applications of water recycling – from reusing water from municipal networks, through recirculation in households and industrial plants, to rainwater harvesting and utilization. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the results of the Waterman project, discuss the directions of water recycling development, meet experts from six countries of the Baltic Sea region, and exchange experiences and practical tips on how to implement water recycling at the local level. In addition to inspiring presentations by the speakers, there was also time for discussions at posters presenting individual pilot projects.

On the second day of the event, study visits were organized in Kalmar and Västervik. Participants visited: a mobile wastewater recycling system used for irrigating green areas, a hospital in Kalmar – a wastewater recycling installation using a double pipe system, Kalmarsundsverket - a construction site for a new wastewater treatment plant and water recovery facility, a modern multi-dam system in the Kastrup area, and examples of smaller, local “mini-multi-dams” for rainwater retention and reuse were also presented. Each stop provided an opportunity to learn about the technical details and functioning of the systems directly from experts and local implementers.

The discussion part focused on how to increase the scale of water recovery in the Baltic Sea region. The project partners shared practical lessons and recommendations from the WaterMan project. Practical examples showed how innovative solutions can support sustainable water management in cities and coastal regions.

On the last day of the visit to Sweden, a partnership meeting of the WaterMan project consortium was held. It was an opportunity to summarize the cooperation to date, discuss the results of pilot activities, exchange conclusions, and look at the results of the project as a whole. The meeting participants had the opportunity to view multimedia materials showing how individual water recovery and reuse solutions were implemented in various pilot locations.

We also visited Naturum Västervik, a place that presents local ecosystems, the archipelago, and the aquatic environment in a very accessible way. This place combines exhibitions, photographs, and interactive elements that help visitors better understand the nature of the archipelago and the specific characteristics of the waters in this region. The visit provided a broader context for water resource conservation.