Citizen science project shows the value of citizens as scientists

“The ‘Freshness of Water’ project is the first citizen science study in the Dutch drinking water sector. Research was conducted with citizen scientists in Amsterdam into the ‘freshness’ of their own drinking water, particularly the bacterial composition.
In recent years citizens have increasingly been involved in gathering and co-creating knowledge and innovation: citizen science. However, if you look at the Dutch drinking water companies we see that they are still making little or no use of the talents, ideas and manpower of customers and citizens. In order to gain greater insight into the possibilities and value of citizen science in the drinking water sector, KWR Watercycle Research Institute worked with Waternet to set up a practical citizen science experiment which is unique for the Netherlands: Freshness of Water.”

(Citaat: Brouwer, S., Wielen, P.W.J.J. van der, Schriks, M., Claassen, M., Kors, L. – Citizen science project shows the value of citizens as scientists – Water Matters H2O (2017)June)