After two intensive weeks of teamwork, field visits and expert sessions, Wetskills-Romania 2026 concluded with an inspiring Finals and Awarding Ceremony at Expo Apa in Bucharest on 9 September. The winning team (SEWMINS), existing of: Borca Diana-Maria, Vlădan Ana Maria, Vîlcu Sebastian-Andrei, Pascaru Andrei-Marius and Manta George Alin, developed an innovative and practical approach for reusing treated wastewater to irrigate parks and other green spaces in the Romanian capital.
The winning case was provided by the Dutch Water Authority Amstel, Gooi and Vecht (AGV). Bucharest is increasingly facing hot and dry summers, putting pressure on freshwater resources while strengthening the need for green areas that can cool the city. At the same time, large volumes of treated wastewater are discharged and remain largely unused. The team explored how this water could become a valuable alternative resource, addressing not only technical aspects but also legal, financial, institutional and societal barriers. The jury praised the team’s integrated and realistic approach, which provides a strong basis for further exploration and implementation.
From 30 August to 10 September, 16 young professionals and students from Romania and the Netherlands worked in three multidisciplinary teams on real-life water challenges. The other cases focused on the sustainable dredging and valorisation of sediment from Paleu Reservoir, provided by the National Administration “Romanian Waters”, and on identifying the wider ecological, social and cultural values of water in the Pasărea subcatchment, provided by Philip Morris Romania. The Finals took place during Expo Apa, one of the leading meeting points for the Romanian water sector. Wetskills-Romania 2026
This eighth edition of Wetskills in Romania was made possible through the support of many committed partners, including the Romanian Water Association (ARA), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Romania, Apele Române, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Valahia University of Târgoviște, Van Oord, ECO-IND, HEINEKEN Romania, Philip Morris Romania and Water Authority Amstel, Gooi and Vecht.
Wetskills Foundation warmly congratulates the winning team and all participants on their creativity, dedication and professional growth. Wetskills-Romania 2026 once again demonstrated the power of bringing together young talent, universities, governments and companies to develop fresh solutions for today’s water challenges.
