How clean tap water and glacier preservation are directly linked

On World Water Day 2025, we look at Kiwa’s role in ‘Glacier Preservation’

This year’s theme for World Water Day, ‘Glacier Preservation’, may at first glance seem far removed from Kiwa’s fields of work - but it is actually very close to our heart, says Marco van Brink, who covers all water-related business for the Kiwa Group as Global Business Manager.

‘The melting of glaciers is an urgent environmental problem that directly affects the safety of clean drinking water for everyone, which is a basic human right and crucial for human flourishing,’ says Marco, who started with Kiwa 25 years ago as technical engineer and now serves as Kiwa's Global Business Manager for Water. ‘It is all interconnected. Kiwa’s services and vision for sustainability relate directly to this.’

Our DNA

At Kiwa, we have always been acutely aware of the fundamental need for safe and clean water. Our organization was founded by the Dutch drinking water companies in 1948 to ensure the quality of drinking water in the Netherlands. With the Second World War just over, and much of the country’s infrastructure damaged, one of the pressing questions of the day was, ‘Is this water safe? Can we drink it?’ In the over 70 years since, our DNA has not changed: Kiwa still exists for the benefit of clean and safe water, even if our expertise and reach have greatly expanded: Kiwa now covers over 40 countries, with nearly 15,000experts and 165 laboratories around the world, covering a wide range of markets and services.

Water, water everywhere

Still a name of renown in the world of water, Kiwa’s testing, inspection, certification, training, consultancy and data services are proactive, efficient and span the whole water supply chain. Or, as Marco likes to say, ‘From source to tap and beyond. We are active in everything from pumping up raw water from the ground to processing that into drinking water and transporting it into people’s homes. We also know the other side of the chain: water end-use, waste water networks and waste water treatment and discharge.’ Up and down the chain, Kiwa ensures safety, health and sustainability for customers, clients, employees, our society - and, yes, even our glaciers.

Micro and macro

Zooming into the micro-level of this vast world of water quality, Marco mentions the Kiwa laboratories specialized in assessing components involved in the installation of domestic water supply systems. ‘Manufacturers and suppliers are always looking at new materials,’ he explains. ‘They want materials that are environment-friendlier, economically more attractive and functional, including recycled materials. Part of our job is to ensure that the drinking water that goes through these piping systems into our homes is not affected by these materials, or by any chemicals used in them. This is about water safety, quality, taste, flavour and even odour. Analysing, testing and certifying products that come into contact with drinking water, to make sure they are safe and suitable for human consumption, is one of the many areas in which Kiwa excels.’

At macro-level, Kiwa is also a strong player, Marco continues. ‘For example, there’s the European Drinking Water Directive 2020, which has established legal standards to provide safe drinking water for the whole of Europe in the future. Or think of the European Water Resilience Strategy, which addresses the question of affordable water and sanitation for everyone in Europe, while also promoting a competitive EU water industry and a clean, water-wise and circular economy. We are very proud at Kiwa that we have been at the forefront of the development of directives and strategies like these, engaging directly with the European commissioner on these topics.’

Another way in which Kiwa is making a splash in ensuring the sustainability of water is by providing services like the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), says Marco. ‘The EPD is an internationally recognized programme offering proof that companies are actively reducing the environmental impact of their products and services. In the water business, we are seeing more and more companies adopt the programme.’

Playing our part

Climate change is causing glaciers to melt. This, in turn, is causing a growing water crisis, especially in areas with rapidly growing populations and economies. In the coming years, two-thirds of the global population could be grappling with water stress, and half of the world's population could be living in areas facing water scarcity. Marco comments, ‘Climate change and the melting of the glaciers are directly affecting the safety of clean drinking water. Water scarcity can become a huge problem, that's very clear. In countries like the Netherlands, or other countries in North-Europe or the Americas, many people think it is totally normal to open the tap and have water coming out that you can drink. My children are shocked when I tell them I’ve visited a country where you cannot drink tap water. It’s very meaningful to me that at Kiwa we are playing our part to protect our planet, secure clean, safe and sustainable drinking water for all.’