Our Background

Initiated by the Expert Group Circular Water of the Water Alliance in the Netherlands, the Global Expert Group Circular Water serves as an international hub for public-private collaboration among water-sector stakeholders. Its mission is to enable these actors to play a leading role in the accelerated transformation towards a Circular Water Smart Society. 

 

The initiative provides an overview of the causes of the global water crisis, presents a vision for the safe and fit-for-purpose use of circular water sources within urban environments, and offers practical solutions for implementing smart circular water systems that can reduce tap water consumption and wastewater emissions by 25–45 percent.

 

The group’s objectives are to:

• Promote the use of safe circular water for non-potable applications;

• Discourage the use of drinking water for non-potable purposes;

• Urgently update regulations and building codes to enable circular water use;

• Accelerate the international acceptance and alignment of standards to facilitate certified water-saving solutions;

• Safeguard public health through clear guidelines and system design;

• Ensure that circular water becomes more affordable than tap water;

• Strengthen public-private cooperation across sectors and borders; and

• Maintain and enhance the livability and resilience of cities.

​

Together, these efforts aim to accelerate the global transition towards a Circular Water Smart Society.