Decentralized, Circular Water Management Solutions (DECIRE WATER)

Water scarcity, population growth, and climate change pose major challenges to global water supply. The EU project DECIRE WATER develops and demonstrates innovative, scalable, and circular solutions for water and wastewater management at five sites in Europe and one in South Africa. The aim is to create sustainable, decentralized systems that can operate independently or in combination with central infrastructures. The focus is on nature-based solutions (NbS), complemented by technical processes and digital tools.

The demonstration sites represent different geographic, climatic, and socioeconomic conditions. By the end of the project, the developed systems will reach a high level of maturity (TRL 7–8) and are intended to meet regulatory requirements, public acceptance, and marketability. Special emphasis is placed on advanced monitoring technologies, digital dashboards, and the involvement of stakeholders through co-design and co-creation. The developed business models and decision frameworks support policymakers and promote market uptake.

In the long term, DECIRE WATER solutions are expected to benefit 7% of the European population by 2035, recover over 7.8 million m³ of water annually, and achieve significant energy savings.

In addition to Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, two other partners from Baden-Württemberg are involved. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is responsible for project coordination, develops digital tools, and manages communication activities. Furthermore, the City of Stuttgart is involved as a demonstration site for innovative urban water solutions.

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum assisted with the proposal writing and helped to ensure the approval with a score of 15/15 points. As a project partner, it supports the development of the exploitation strategy, IPR management, the market introduction of project results, as well as the planning of replication measures.

Further Information:

• Project Name: DECIRE WATER – Decentralized Solutions for a Circular and Efficient Water Management
• Funding: European Commission, Horizon Europe
• Total Project Funding: €5 million
• Participating Countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Poland, Spain, South Africa
• Project Duration: 06/2025–05/2028