In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark speaks with Doeke Schippers, Leading Professional of Vitens, the Netherlands’ largest drinking water company serving 6 million people with chlorine-free water. Doeke recounts his career from chemical engineering in wastewater to leadership roles in the drinking water sector. The conversation focuses on the Dutch “water transition” as climate change brings heat waves, summer drought, low river flows, and increasing salinity alongside winter floods. In response, Vitens is developing groundwater recharge and nature-based infiltration “water batteries,” exploring mixed sources including surface water and treated wastewater through "strategic hearts" while addressing contaminants like PFAS, and working with regulators.
00:00 Welcome and Guest 00:26 Career Journey 01:10 Why Drinking Water 01:34 About Vitens 01:58 Chlorine Free Water 02:46 Water Transition Challenges 04:53 Water Batteries Strategy 06:19 Reuse and PFAS 07:14 Rivers and Desalination 08:39 Regulators 09:25 Public Awareness Gap 11:34 Personal Advice and Wrap
