R&D highlights edition 2018

23 R&D Highlights 2018 to improve water and groundwater management in order to minimise risks and optimise economic returns and sustainability. The available data about the earth’s surface and subsurface are increasing rapidly, as is computer capacity to process those data. In addition, innovative solutions – such as the storage of fresh water in the subsurface during periods of surplus water for use in dry periods – are being developed to tackle freshwater scarcity on the local and regional scales. This theme enhances our insight into possible relationships between water scarcity and the risk of conflict in combination with the increasing numbers of refugees. National governments currently formulate national water and delta plans with support from Deltares. In addition, businesses optimise their products and services using Deltares evaluations of newmethods and techniques for data gathering, data handling and visualisations. And finally, governments worldwide learn more about water risks such as scarcity or lack of quality using analyses conducted by Deltares.