Urban development projects in Europe involve numerous stakeholders and face growing challenges relating to water management, climate change and biodiversity. The sealing of surfaces disrupts the natural water cycle, increasing runoff, flood risks and the overloading of sewerage networks, leading to the discharge of untreated wastewater into the environment.

At the same time, cities are experiencing heat islands and a loss of biodiversity, whilst climate change is exacerbating episodes of heavy rainfall and heatwaves. Although nature-based solutions exist, current design tools remain limited.

The Water-Smart Cities project, developed by the University of Liège and CEBEDEAU, aims to address this gap through user-friendly software that enables the design of sustainable and cost-effective urban developments, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative stormwater management as well as the assessment of environmental benefits such as the reduction of urban heat and the recharge of groundwater aquifers.

When there is heavy rain, sewerage networks can become overwhelmed and discharge some of the water directly into the natural environment.
RTC4Water proposes using available network data – including flow rates, storage levels and consumption forecasts – to anticipate changes in wastewater flows.
Predictive control software can then manage pumps, valves and basins in real time to direct the most polluted water to the treatment works as far as possible, thereby limiting the pollution discharged during overflows.

As a public body responsible for sanitation in the Province of Namur, INASEP is primarily responsible for the design, management and operation of facilities dedicated to the collection and treatment of water.
For several years now, INASEP has been using vortex systems for the treatment of rainwater. But how does this technology work, and what role does it play in rainwater treatment?
This presentation will explain how vortex systems work, their applications within INASEP’s facilities, and the key lessons learnt from their operation.