How Dutch innovation strengthens the future of water quality monitoring in Europe and beyond

Although progress has been made in recent decades, many European rivers, lakes, and coastal waters still show elevated levels of pollution. Only around 30 percent of European water bodies currently meet the chemical requirements of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), the European (EU) central framework designed to protect and restore the quality of surface water and groundwater.

The WFD requires member states to achieve ‘good status’. This refers to the ecological and chemical conditions set by the Directive. It means that water bodies must meet European standards for ecosystem health and pollutant concentrations. To assess this, member states must monitor water bodies frequently enough to detect changes in both chemical and ecological conditions.

Increasingly need for real-time monitoring

In this context, rising levels of metals, industrial emissions, diffuse agricultural pollution and climate-induced pressures highlight the need for monitoring systems that provide accurate and timely insights for water managers, industries and public authorities. The growing presence of new and persistent pollutants makes this need even more urgent. Substances such as PFAS, pharmaceutical residues, pesticides and microplastics require more frequent and specialised monitoring. This places additional pressure on monitoring networks across Europe.

Simultaneously, European and national regulations concerning metals and other priority substances are expected to become more stringent. Watch-lists are being expanded, limits for several substances are under revision, and new attention is being placed on contaminants that were previously difficult to measure. These developments create a growing demand for digital solutions that can produce accurate, repeatable, and high-quality data in a matter of minutes.

Launch of the Mizu Sensor

One of the technologies contributing to the increasing need for advanced water quality monitoring is the recently launched Mizu Sensor, developed by the Dutch company Holland Sensor. The portable device measures metal concentrations in process water, drinking water, wastewater, and surface water, and is operated via cloud-based software on a mobile phone. Results can be viewed on-site and stored automatically for further analysis.

By enabling direct and immediate analysis, the Mizu Sensor removes the delay associated with sending samples to a laboratory – a process that can take several days. With real-time results, water managers and industries can detect exceedances of metals such as lead, mercury, or arsenic more quickly and intervene when needed. The technology is currently being rolled out in the Netherlands and Belgium, followed by expansion into wider European markets, the United States, and Asia.

Dutch innovations strengthen monitoring across Europe and worldwide

Mizu Sensor is one of several Dutch-rooted innovations that are transforming approaches to water quality monitoring. Across the Dutch water sector, new technologies and collaborative research efforts play an important role in strengthening European and international water quality management. Dutch organisations, knowledge institutes, and research consortia continue to develop advanced tools that complement regulatory frameworks such as the WFD and expand global monitoring capacity.

Strengthening real-time monitoring capacity

One example is the initiative led by Planys Technologies, which – together with international partners – is piloting a real-time monitoring system using in-situ sensors to track key water quality indicators such as nitrate, pH, oxygen and chemical oxygen demand. Immediate data transmission via a cloud-based dashboard enables authorities to detect contamination at an early stage and respond more rapidly.

Improving early-warning systems for coastal environments

Another contribution comes from the MAReS initiative, led by Dutch company Water Insight in collaboration with partners in Costa Rica. The consortium is developing a scalable early-warning service for harmful algal blooms along the Pacific coast. By integrating satellite data, optical measurements from WISP stations and local observations, the project provides near-real-time insights into bloom dynamics and helps coastal stakeholders anticipate risks.

A complementary effort is BlueAdapt, a European research consortium in which Deltares is a key Dutch partner. The project develops early-warning tools that support public authorities in forecasting contamination events and managing associated health risks. These insights help policymakers and coastal communities respond more effectively to water quality threats.

Advancing analytical methods for emerging pollutants

Dutch expertise also plays a role in modernising the monitoring of emerging contaminants. Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (WFBR), supported by the Dutch government, is leading a multi-year initiative to improve the detection and assessment of PFAS in surface water and wastewater. By combining advanced analytical techniques with new sampling strategies designed for large-scale application, the project strengthens the capacity of regulators, drinking water companies and environmental authorities to evaluate risks and safeguard public health.

Collective impact

Together, these and many other Dutch-led initiatives illustrate how the Netherlands contributes to reliable, accessible and scalable monitoring systems. By improving the availability and quality of water data, Dutch innovations help research institutes, water utilities, treatment facilities and policymakers make informed decisions aligned with European frameworks and global water quality goals.