Project partners: Sweden Water Research, Chalmers University of Technology, Norrvatten, Lund University, RISE, The Swedish Veterinary Agency, Sydvatten, Tetra Pak, The Absolut Company, VA SYD, WIN Water
Grant: 13,500,000 SEK
Project period: 2025-11-30 to 2028-11-29
Contact person: Ellen Edefell
Linked to tasks: Ensure good drinking water quality, Secure the supply and management of water, Sustainable water withdrawals, and Recycle and reuse water and its resources.
Purpose and goals
To establish a transformation lab that moves us from slow, analog to fast and secure digital quality controls of drinking water and other water.
Expected effects and results
The transformation lab will pave the way for a crucial change in how we assess microbial water quality—from slow, analog culture methods to fast, digital techniques such as flow cytometry and qPCR. In an era defined by climate change, security threats, and increased demands for resource efficiency, the need for rapid and reliable analysis results is greater than ever. Current methods provide answers only after several days, which delays measures and can lead to production stops, discarded products, and risks to health and the environment. New methods enable real-time analysis and create conditions for safe drinking water and circular water management, where water is recovered and used smarter.
Planned structure and implementation
The project gathers a broad spectrum of stakeholders—water and sewage organizations (VA), government agencies, researchers, industry, and technology developers—who will jointly test, develop, and implement new solutions. At the center are the needs owners such as Norrvatten, Sydvatten, and VA SYD with their joint RDI company (FUI-bolag) Sweden Water Research leading the work, but other needs owners such as Tetra Pak and Absolut are also participating. The Swedish Food Agency, SVA, RISE, WIN Water, Chalmers, and Lund University contribute with expertise and requirements. The focus is on creating robust decision-making foundations, understanding organizational consequences, and influencing policy and legislation. The lab functions as a catalyst, support, and central hub—a place where technology meets practice and where innovation is converted into real benefit.
The text on this page was formulated by the project group itself. 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 the supply and management of water
- Wise water usage
- Recycle and reuse water and its resources
- Sustainable water withdrawals.
