In WasSERDICHT, IKEM is investigating how heat recovery from drinking water systems can become a building block of the heat transition in Germany.
Water can absorb and transport significant amounts of thermal energy. This property is already being utilized in district heating, but even the standard drinking water infrastructure—which operates at comparatively low water temperatures—can be tapped for sustainable heat generation: With the help of heat exchangers and heat pumps, the thermal energy contained in drinking water can be raised to a usable temperature level. While such technologies are already in use in other European countries, this potential remains largely untapped in Germany.
The interdisciplinary research project WasSERDICHT is testing heat recovery from drinking water systems at a pilot plant operated by Stadtwerke Borken (Westphalia) and is investigating technical, economic and legal barriers to the process based on practical experience. IKEM is leading the project and is responsible for analyzing the energy and water law framework as well as investigating acceptance factors.
Launch of the “WasSERDICHT” Research Project
WasSERDICHT - Heat recovery from drinking water systems: Testing, regulation, decarbonization, implementation, opportunities, hygiene standards, transformation
Principal: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Funding programme: Klima- und Transformationsfonds (KTF)
Project partner: AquaEcology , Fachhochschule Münster , Stadtwerke Borken/Westf.
Duration: 04/2026–03/2029
