Werfwater
A circular digital solution for sustainable water management
In 2021, Lemon Companies and Switchrs launched a joint initiative to better use the available groundwater in Flanders. The reason? A Pano report about drainage water — groundwater that is pumped up at large construction sites where, for example, cellars are being excavated. What was striking: huge amounts of usable water were lost, while water shortages were becoming increasingly acute elsewhere.
With their expertise in digital matching platforms (Clickcare, Limine.be, Asbestos platform,...) Lemon saw a clear opportunity: to develop a solution that automatically matches the supply and demand of drainage water. This is how the idea for WerfWater came about — a platform that makes pumped groundwater available to farmers, green services and local residents, among others. A company was soon set up and pilot projects started in cooperation with the VVSG, City of Antwerp, City of Kortrijk, Matexi and other partners. The official kick-off received extra attention when Minister Zuhal Demir symbolically turned the tap on one of the first deliveries.
In the construction sector, many projects pump up groundwater to keep construction sites dry. This drainage water is usually discharged directly into the sewerage system. At the same time, various sectors such as agriculture and public services are struggling with a shortage of usable water — an inefficiency that requires a structural solution.
Lemon Companies developed a scalable, digital platform that links drainage water providers (such as project developers) to local customers. Thanks to a user-friendly design and automated matching, parties can find each other quickly, without complicated intervention. In cooperation with public and private partners, several pilot projects were set up to test and refine the technical and logistical feasibility.
The collaboration between WerfWater and Lemon Companies illustrates how technological innovation can contribute to sustainable solutions in the construction sector. By developing a digital platform that facilitates the reuse of drainage water, both parties are making a valuable contribution to more efficient and environmentally friendly water management. This case underlines the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and shows how technology can play a key role in achieving circular economy goals.
