Projects in water

SVADA is a so-called Transition Lab within Water Wise Societies, aimed at developing a shared national dataspace for water and wastewater (WSS) data. Through practical cases that address the sector’s needs for both secure data sharing and improved interoperability, SVADA will contribute to the mission: ‘Sustainable Water for All by 2050’.

A sustainable and fair distribution of water requires collaboration between water users and an overview of water availability. The project is based on the concept of a “water budget”, which relies on knowledge of water supply and withdrawals in real time, with the goal of meeting the water needs of various stakeholders, including the ecosystem.

Water with REwater is a preparatory research project exploring how treated wastewater can be safely reused for irrigation in Swedish agriculture. The project addresses water scarcity in drought-prone regions focusing on reduced chemical pollution and support of circular water management.

In the project “Samling vid pumpen” ("Gathering at the pump"), water and wastewater organizations collaborate to support the establishment of a national standard for asset management. Through participation and engagement, we aim to build acceptance and drive behavioral changes needed for such a standard to contribute to smart and sustainable water

Droppvis explores how digital nudging methods can reduce household water consumption through behavioral changes, while also analyzing consumption patterns in relation to external factors. The project investigates scalable solutions for sustainable water use and contributes to more efficient resource utilization.

URSOILL – Swedish Living Lab works to improve soil health in Swedish cities through research, innovation, and collaboration between municipalities, academia, industry, and citizens. By developing solutions for cleaner, vibrant, and resilient urban soils, URSOILL contributes to greener cities, greater biodiversity, and more sustainable societies.

The aquaculture and seafood industry generate large nutrient-rich waters that are currently wasted. SEAlgaePower intends to use microalgae cultivation to clean these residual water streams. At RISE, extracted high value components from the microalgae biomass will be explored for use in MedTech, ATMP and pharmaceutical applications

In this study, improved solutions have been developed with a second barrier or secondary seal and drainage, which have been verified through laboratory tests. Commonly occurring façade details have been included, such as several variants of horizontal and vertical element joints, balcony, window, roof, and foundation connections.

Operating swimming pools requires a lot of energy

Leveraging AI and machine learning, we develop a comprehensive solution to map, evaluate, and prioritize sewer network maintenance — from data collection to sewer index.

The project aims to design and develop a customizable serious game that simulates real-world challenges in the management of Sweden’s water and wastewater infrastructure. It provides a risk-free and engaging environment to promote the understanding and application of data-driven approaches such as machine learning and statistical models.

The European research project SWEETHY will investigate the possibilities for developing electrolysis for the production of hydrogen and oxygen from seawater.

RISE Research Institutes of Sweden has once again been entrusted by LF Research Foundation to conduct a research project on the function of waterproofing systems intended for use behind ceramic tiles in wet areas. This research project is a repetition of previously conducted projects spanning a long period of 15 years.

Pyrolysis as an innovative and sustainable solution for sludge management? Logistics, economics, regulations and benefits for agriculture have been investigated in this feasibility study based on conditions in the Halland region.

Climate change increases the risk of flooding, which demands collaboration between property owners, municipalities, and other stakeholders. Through a systems and futures analysis, the project develops business models, financing, and legal frameworks for joint actions – with the goal of creating resilient communities by 2035.

We explored how industry's water use contributes to Water Wise societies (WWS) mission of Sustainable water for all 2050. As a result, the challenge with industry's sustainable water use was described, key actors identified and future scenarios, prioritized system movements and proposals for efforts in next stage of WWS was drawn up.

During crises and conflicts, it is vital that key societal functions remain operational. A lack of spare parts could cause disruptions that impact both food and water supplies. To explore whether additive manufacturing of spare parts could enhance resilience, the Swedish Food Agency has commissioned RISE.

Water Wise Societies, one of five programs within the innovation initiative Impact Innovation, work for transition towards sustainable water for all. Impact Innovation is funded by Vinnova, Formas and the Swedish Energy Agency, the aim is to contribut to global competitiveness through sustainable development transformation.

The project will investigate different forms of collaboration for stormwater and cloudburst measures. The starting point is case studies in four municipalities, with a focus on collaboration terms or other agreements between stakeholders that may be needed to clarify responsibility and financing for facilities and operation.

The CircSyst project is focused on the development and demonstration of a range of novel Circular Systemic Solutions (CircSyst Solutions or CSS) that increase sustainability by applying innovative holistic circular models at local and regional scales.

To reduce eutrophication in the Baltic Sea, rivers, and lakes, and to decrease the need for fertilization, new methods are needed to prevent nutrient leaching from agricultural land. Trials in Finland have shown that the addition of gypsum can quickly reduce phosphorus losses. In GYPREG will study this in multiple countries around the Baltic Sea.

Circular Nutrients for a sustainable Baltic Sea RegionThe project aims to encourage the creation and development of a circular economy for nutrients. The emphasis is on improving current infrastructures and technologies to maximize nutrient recovery from biomasses and resource streams coming from agriculture, municipalities and industry.

The Unity4Water research project is an initiative between Mälardalen University (MDU), RISE and up to 30 partners in industry and food production. The project aims to revolutionize the reuse of wastewater and process water to use it as a resource in food production.

Climate change is affecting the hydrological conditions of the Earth, causing both draught and flooding in different regions. Sweden is facing the challenge of adapting to a warmer and wetter climate, which will lead to more extreme weather events and increase the risks and damages of flooding.

Climate change has resulted in water scarcity in several parts of the country, and capacity shortages in drinking water supply systems can also lead to a lack of drinking water. Resource-efficient water usage is becoming increasingly important.

From beach litter to microplastics is run by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute in collaboration with RISE and Havets Hus in Lysekil. The project investigates what happens to all the plastic debris that washes ashore on our beaches. 

EPOS is a research infrastructure for geoscientific data and services with use for researchers, industry and socieity. Data is collected, processed, shared and presented according to the FAIR principles.

The aim was to develop a basis for revising the industry guidelines regarding water use in the dairy sector. With an improved knowledge basis, it is possible to make water use more efficient without jeopardizing the quality and safety of the food. Implementation of new guidelines is expected to lead to significant water savings in the food industry

A major challenge facing agriculture is handling water excess and deficit exacerbated by climate change, while reducing eutrophication. Controlled drainage (CD) has the potential to address these issues and improve yield stability.

Opportunities are being explored to build a national test bed for independent testing of stormwater facilities. In parallel, a proposal for a national standard for carrying out the tests is being prepared. Evaluation of facilities will creat security as uncertainties can be checked and dismissed.

The project addresses the challenge of reducing water consumption in Swedish companies. The goal is to create incentives for companies to save water and develop support for them to implement water-saving measures. Central in the project are interviews to map the companies' conditions and obstacles to water saving and to identify important actors.

The water and wastewater industry in Sweden has historically not focused on measures to reduce water consumption, but climate change, among other things, has created a driving force to implement measures to reduce water consumption.

The project creates conditions for implementing efficient and sustainable climate adaptation of the built urban environment. The focus is on reducing vulnerability in case of cloudburst and heat waves with measures that also create other social, economic and environmental benefits.

Enhanced economy at biogas plants and in fertilizer management with alternative national standard hygienisation methods

A test bed for stormwater facilities enables evaluation of facilities at standardized conditions carried out by an independent third party, which creates security as uncertainties regarding the performance of facilities can be controlled and dismissed. This pre-study investigates how and where such a test bed can be constructed and located

Microplastics derived from thermoplastics are today a well-known problem. But can thermosetting resins also cause harmful microplastics? In the project Microplastics from thermosetting resins, RISE will examine how composites are affected by UV light, abrasion and leaching, and whether thermosetting resins, can degrade into microplastics.

Antibiotic Smart Sweden is a national innovation milieu where we work towards a common mission – a society where everyone helps to antibiotics working and saving lives.

In this project we wanted to explore when, where and how cascading natural hazards occur - and why. What are the societal consequences of flooding, erosion, landslide? How can we visualise the effects and impact of these cascading natural hazards; and how can we communicate this in a better way?

The research programme Mistra InfraMaint will develop a more sustainable and efficient maintenance of infrastructure, by creating and further developing technology, decision models, organizations, competence building and business models for today's and tomorrow's demands.

Energy optimization is central for sustainable development and domestic hot water temperature is important. A compromise between energy use and microbial safety is needed. In the project, the hypothesis that the limited water volume solution allows water temperature to be reduced without increasing the Legionella risk, was tested.

Membrane filtration has been used for many decades for treatment and purification of water and is well established. It has broad area of use and systems that reduce energy consumption and investment costs have been developed. If the risk of fouling could be significantly reduced this would cause a further revolution in technology impact.