MAINSTREAM
Upgrading Industrial Water Management through Sustainable Monitoring, Treatment, and Supportive Governance¶
Project Overview MAINSTREAM is a transnational research project funded under the Water4All 2024 Joint Transnational Call. The project aims to revolutionize industrial water circularity by overcoming technological, economic, and social barriers to water reuse. By integrating innovative sensor technologies, cost-effective treatment processes, and digitalization tools, MAINSTREAM targets a “Zero Liquid Discharge” (ZLD) goal within industrial ecosystems.
Project Status: Ongoing (Active Implementation Phase)
Timeline: 2024 – 2027
Core Objectives:
To promote water circularity in the industrial sector and ensure the sustainable management of water resources.
To develop and implement innovative, low-cost sensors for real-time monitoring of pollutants in industrial wastewater.
To establish advanced treatment and recovery processes designed for industrial symbiosis models.
To create digital decision-support tools and governance mechanisms that facilitate the transition to circular water economies.
Pilot Site Focus The project focuses on high-impact case studies, notably in the Küçük Menderes Basin (Torbalı region) in Türkiye—a region significantly affected by water scarcity and industrial pollution. This pilot serves as a benchmark for implementing industrial water reuse strategies in Mediterranean climates.
My Role & Contribution
Work Package Responsibility: Leading the tasks within Work Package 5 (WP5), specifically focused on “Water Flow Analysis and Mapping.”
Scientific Specialization: Applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expertise to model and visualize industrial water flows and spatial distribution of water-related risks.
Impact Assessment: Utilizing spatial analysis to identify potential areas for industrial symbiosis and to assess the regional impact of wastewater reuse on water balance.
Expected Impacts
Technological Innovation: Validation of new sensors and cost-effective treatment systems in real industrial environments.
Environmental Sustainability: Reduction of freshwater withdrawal by industrial zones and mitigation of wastewater discharge into sensitive ecosystems.
Strategic Governance: Development of a comprehensive roadmap for policy-makers and industrial park managers to scale up water circularity practices across Europe and the Mediterranean.