From a ‘green soup’ to clean water in the ditch

WaterCampus business challenge 2023 winners Annija Emersone and Jūlija Karasa from P-Agro Minerals “only had positive experiences” in their four-day journey of learning and networking in the water tech world. It is fantastic to see the recognition and infrastructure of wastewater treatment in the Netherlands, says the Latvian company’s duo. Now they hope to apply their knowleBioValves developed an innovative mobile water filtration system inspired by how mussels work. Thanks to a grant from the NEW-TTT programme, BioValves got the chance to further develop and validate their idea. The hydraulic performance of the water filtration system was thoroughly tested in Deltares’ research facilities.dge and expand the success of their startup in their home country.

Helping restore nature with nature

‘I call this my out-of-control thesis,’ says Vincent Duijvesteijn, founder of the startup BioValves, laughing. His mission is to help restore nature and solve water quality problems caused by humans with nature. The idea for his innovative solution originated during his studies at Wageningen University, where he often walked along a ditch that was once clear and full of life – with birds, aquatic plants and dragonflies. But over the years, Vincent saw how the water quality was slowly deteriorating. The ditch became increasingly green, covered with algae and duckweed, and eventually turned into a ‘green soup’.

The cause of this deterioration? An excess of nutrients, a problem that affects not only this ditch, but also many other waters in the Netherlands. The Water Framework Directive shows that as much as 98% of Dutch surface waters do not meet European standards. Agricultural fertiliser use and industrial discharges are the main culprits. As an aquatic ecologist, Vincent wanted to find a solution to this growing problem.

The mussel as a freshwater vacuum cleaner

Vincent’s solution is simple and brilliant: a mobile filter system inspired by nature itself. Nature already has a ‘freshwater hoover’: the mussel. During his master’s research at Wageningen University, Vincent discovered the enormous potential of mussels as natural water filters. He decided to turn his discovery into a business and thus BioValves was born. The filtration system works by passing water through a mussel filter via a pump, with the mussels feeding on the excess nutrients, purifying the water. The challenge lies in tuning the system, but it is compact, operates without chemicals and easily adapts to different water systems.

The role of NEW-TTT

Thanks to a grant from the NEW-TTT programme, Vincent had the opportunity to further develop and validate his idea with Deltares’ research facilities. ‘It all went very smoothly. The university’s start-up incubator referred me to Wetsus and the programme, and after a quick introduction I was able to pitch my idea. Not much later I got positive news and could start testing!’ says Vincent.

During the validation tests at Deltares’ research facilities, the hydraulic functioning of the filter system was thoroughly investigated. These tests helped Vincent to further optimise the system, from flow rate to energy efficiency. ‘The tests were incredibly helpful, and the researchers‘ expertise improved my innovation tremendously,’ Vincent says enthusiastically. The next step? Testing the filtration system in practice. Vincent is currently exploring opportunities with municipalities and water boards to deploy his innovation on a larger scale.