Integrating water pinch analysis and GIS for optimized industrial cluster water reuse: A case study of the port of Amsterdam

C. J. Teo; J. Poinapen; J. A.M.H. Hofman; T. Wintgens

doi:10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111900

Integrating water pinch analysis and GIS for optimized industrial cluster water reuse: A case study of the port of Amsterdam

C. J. Teo
, J. Poinapen
, J. A.M.H. Hofman
, T. Wintgens

KWR Watercycle Research Institute
RWTH Aachen University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This study introduces an integration of Water Pinch Analysis (WPA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize water reuse in industrial clusters, jointly addressing water quality compatibility and spatial constraints. The research analyzed 17 industrial facilities in the Port of Amsterdam to identify water reuse opportunities and reduce freshwater dependency. Using chloride as a single-contaminant proxy to define the scope of all quantitative results in this study, the analysis shows that the maximum freshwater savings, which reduce consumption from 79.2 m³/h to 10.3 m³/h would require a pipeline length of 39.4 km. These figures represent a theoretical upper bound under single-contaminant matching conditions. However, scenarios with shorter pipelines, averaging 17.8 km with a median of 14.7 km, achieved less ambitious water savings, illustrating the trade-offs between infrastructure investments and water reuse efficiency. The findings demonstrate that spatially constrained, quality-based reuse planning can significantly reduce freshwater dependency in industrial clusters, with the framework offering a reproducible methodology applicable to eco-industrial parks facing similar water scarcity pressures. This integrated approach provides actionable insights for circular water management in eco-industrial parks and offers a pathway to addressing global water sustainability challenges.

Original language	English
Article number	111900
Journal	Results in Engineering
Volume	32
Early online date	8 Jul 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111900
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 8 Jul 2026

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study were obtained from Waternet and individual industrial clients. Due to confidentiality agreements and the sensitive nature of industrial data, restrictions apply to their availability. These data were used under license for the present study and cannot be shared publicly. Data may be made available from the authors upon reasonable request and with prior permission from Waternet and/or the respective industrial clients.

Funding

This study was funded by the H2020-AquaSPICE project (EC, CE-SPIRE-07–2020, Horizon 2020). This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon-2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 958,396. The responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13 Climate Action

Keywords

Circular economy
Industrial symbiosis
Industrial water
Water minimisation
Water reuse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Engineering

Access to Document

10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111900Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Integrating water pinch analysis and GIS for optimized industrial cluster water reuse: A case study of the port of Amsterdam",

abstract = "This study introduces an integration of Water Pinch Analysis (WPA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize water reuse in industrial clusters, jointly addressing water quality compatibility and spatial constraints. The research analyzed 17 industrial facilities in the Port of Amsterdam to identify water reuse opportunities and reduce freshwater dependency. Using chloride as a single-contaminant proxy to define the scope of all quantitative results in this study, the analysis shows that the maximum freshwater savings, which reduce consumption from 79.2 m³/h to 10.3 m³/h would require a pipeline length of 39.4 km. These figures represent a theoretical upper bound under single-contaminant matching conditions. However, scenarios with shorter pipelines, averaging 17.8 km with a median of 14.7 km, achieved less ambitious water savings, illustrating the trade-offs between infrastructure investments and water reuse efficiency. The findings demonstrate that spatially constrained, quality-based reuse planning can significantly reduce freshwater dependency in industrial clusters, with the framework offering a reproducible methodology applicable to eco-industrial parks facing similar water scarcity pressures. This integrated approach provides actionable insights for circular water management in eco-industrial parks and offers a pathway to addressing global water sustainability challenges.",

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AU - Wintgens, T.

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N2 - This study introduces an integration of Water Pinch Analysis (WPA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize water reuse in industrial clusters, jointly addressing water quality compatibility and spatial constraints. The research analyzed 17 industrial facilities in the Port of Amsterdam to identify water reuse opportunities and reduce freshwater dependency. Using chloride as a single-contaminant proxy to define the scope of all quantitative results in this study, the analysis shows that the maximum freshwater savings, which reduce consumption from 79.2 m³/h to 10.3 m³/h would require a pipeline length of 39.4 km. These figures represent a theoretical upper bound under single-contaminant matching conditions. However, scenarios with shorter pipelines, averaging 17.8 km with a median of 14.7 km, achieved less ambitious water savings, illustrating the trade-offs between infrastructure investments and water reuse efficiency. The findings demonstrate that spatially constrained, quality-based reuse planning can significantly reduce freshwater dependency in industrial clusters, with the framework offering a reproducible methodology applicable to eco-industrial parks facing similar water scarcity pressures. This integrated approach provides actionable insights for circular water management in eco-industrial parks and offers a pathway to addressing global water sustainability challenges.

AB - This study introduces an integration of Water Pinch Analysis (WPA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize water reuse in industrial clusters, jointly addressing water quality compatibility and spatial constraints. The research analyzed 17 industrial facilities in the Port of Amsterdam to identify water reuse opportunities and reduce freshwater dependency. Using chloride as a single-contaminant proxy to define the scope of all quantitative results in this study, the analysis shows that the maximum freshwater savings, which reduce consumption from 79.2 m³/h to 10.3 m³/h would require a pipeline length of 39.4 km. These figures represent a theoretical upper bound under single-contaminant matching conditions. However, scenarios with shorter pipelines, averaging 17.8 km with a median of 14.7 km, achieved less ambitious water savings, illustrating the trade-offs between infrastructure investments and water reuse efficiency. The findings demonstrate that spatially constrained, quality-based reuse planning can significantly reduce freshwater dependency in industrial clusters, with the framework offering a reproducible methodology applicable to eco-industrial parks facing similar water scarcity pressures. This integrated approach provides actionable insights for circular water management in eco-industrial parks and offers a pathway to addressing global water sustainability challenges.

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KW - Industrial symbiosis

KW - Industrial water

KW - Water minimisation

KW - Water reuse

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Integrating water pinch analysis and GIS for optimized industrial cluster water reuse: A case study of the port of Amsterdam

Abstract

Data Availability Statement

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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