Project partners: Sweden Water Research, Chalmers University of Technology, Norrvatten, Lund University, RISE, Swedish Veterinary Agency, Sydvatten, Tetra Pak, The Absolut Company, VA SYD, WIN Water
Grant: SEK 13 500 000
Project duration: 2025-11-30 to 2028-11-29
Contact person: Ellen Edefell
Purpose and objectives
Establish a transition lab that takes us from slow analog to fast and secure digital quality controls of drinking and other water
Expected impacts and results
The transition lab will pave the way for a major shift in the way we assess microbial water quality – from slow, analogue culture methods to fast, digital techniques such as flow cytometry and qPCR. In an era of climate change, security threats and increased demands for resource efficiency, the need for fast and reliable analytical results is greater than ever. Current methods take days to provide answers, which delays action and can lead to production stoppages, rejected products and risks to health and the environment. New methods enable real-time analysis and create the conditions for safe drinking water and circular water management, where water is recycled and used smarter.
Planned approach and implementation
The project brings together a wide range of actors – water and wastewater organizations, authorities, researchers, industry and technology developers – who together will test, develop and implement new solutions. At the center are demand owners such as Norrvatten, Sydvatten, VA SYD with their joint RDI company Sweden Water Research leading the work, but other demand owners such as Tetra Pak and Absolut also participate. The Swedish Food Agency, SVA, RISE, WIN Water, Chalmers and Lund University contribute with expertise and needs. The focus is on creating robust decision support, understanding organizational consequences and influencing policy and legislation. The lab acts as a catalyst, support and connection center – a place where technology meets practice and where innovation is translated into real benefits.
The text on this page was written by the project team. The content has not been reviewed by our editors.
Goals and tasks
- Resilient supply and management of water in society
- Ensure good drinking water quality
- Secure supply and management of water
- Wise use of water
- Recycle and reuse water and its resources
- Sustainable water withdrawals.
