WaterMan project partnership meeting and conference - Latvia 1-3.04.2025

On the 1- 3rd of April 2025, a meeting of the WaterMan project partners dedicated to the topic of water recycling took place in Liepaja. This is where partners from Poland, Sweden, Germany, Lithuania, Denmark and Latvia met to discuss how to recycle water, manage it rationally and build the resilience of our regions to climate change. There was also no shortage of enthusiasm, inspiration and joint action.

The first day of the event was marked by the presentation of the finalized action on pilot feasibility studies. The progress of the pilots was discussed:

• Feasibility study on reuse of WWTP water for hydrogen electrolysis power plant on Bornholm
• Feasibility study on reuse of water from large-scale WWTPs / fit-for-purpose purification for industrial & commercial use in Berlin
• Feasibility study on dual pipe system for reuse of treated water in public building in Kalmar

Each of the partners involved in the implementation of the pilots presented the status and results achieved up to the meeting. There was a discussion and comments from experts on the implemented pilots. The last part of the day was devoted to the created tools "PR Toolkit" and "Water Recycling Toolbox & Helpdesk". Discussions were held regarding the last project events such as the EUSBSR Annual Forum in Gdansk on October 29-30, 2025, the Roundtable Discussion in Brussels on November 6, 2025, the study visit and conference in Braniewo on September 24-26, 2025 and the final conference in Kalmar on November 25-27, 2025.

WaterMan Day 2 in Saldus – conference

The second day of the WaterMan project event was dedicated to a conference for local recipients in Saldus.

The participants were warmly welcomed by the Saldus city authorities and then the project assumptions were presented. In recent years, the demand for water has been constantly growing, which is why we have to consider different methods of recycled water.

In the European Union, there are regions struggling with water shortages, but also those where is an excess. Within the WaterMan project, we want to promote “water recycling” which will be implemented through 11 pilots and 7 strategies.

During the meeting, the following people gave their presentations:

• Ilona Vilne – Challenges of water management and potential of water recycling in Latvia
• Jurjis Kondratenko – Strategy of water management and recycling for the Kurzeme region (Development of a strategy of water management and water recycling for the Kurzeme region: state of play and upcoming steps)
• Veerle Depuydt – Stormwater management
• Phillipe Seger – smart streets concept and "B-rain connect" - as a solution for collective management and recycling of stormwater.

The project representatives also presented project pilots implemented in Braniewo, Kalmar and Saldus

Third day of WaterMan in Liepaja – Strategic planning for the future of water

On the 3rd of April 2025, participants of the international WaterMan project met in Liepaja (Latvia), to jointly summarize the activities and make plans for the next stages of the project implementation. The third day of the event was devoted entirely to reviewing the strategies developed by partners from different regions of Europe and to discusse on key challenges related to water management.

Focus on strategy and cooperation

The main goal of the day was to analyze the developed local and regional model strategies for water recycling. Partners from Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Germany presented their approaches, experiences and plans for the future. The meeting was in the form of a workshop – each partner had the opportunity to present their activities, receive feedback and consult further steps with experts.

Local approaches, common vision

During the presentations, various approaches to the topic of water were revealed – from the analysis of the effects of drought on agriculture (Lithuania), through raising public awareness (Sweden), to technical issues related to wastewater quality and its reuse (Denmark). The common denominator for all regions was the concern for the future of water resources, the need for educational activities and the necessity of cooperation between local governments, institutions and residents.

Discussions and plans

Participants focused on a constructive exchange of experiences and refining strategies, so that they were able to adapt them to local conditions.