The WATERVERSE project is building a Water Data Management Ecosystem (WDME) to support the digital transformation of water-related data practices across Europe. With climate change, increasing urbanisation, and evolving regulatory demands placing pressure on water utilities, smart data management is more critical than ever. WATERVERSE is addressing this challenge by offering an interoperable, flexible platform to streamline water data handling. As part of this effort, six pilot sites across Europe tested the WDME in real-world operational contexts. What made this phase particularly impactful was the rich and varied feedback gathered from participants, revealing not only how the platform performs in practice but also where enhancements are needed. This article highlights how that feedback is being translated into improvements that will shape the next stages of the project.

The feedback collection approach

Feedback was collected using a structured methodology that combined both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A comprehensive suite of tools was used, including pre-assessment surveys, user satisfaction questionnaires, technical feedback forms, observer insights, and a detailed post-evaluation software quality assessment. These tools were administered at multiple stages: before deployment, during active use, and after the pilot’s conclusion. The design enabled the capture of evolving perceptions and experiences over time.

Each tool was tailored to a specific stakeholder group. End-users focused on ease of use, learning curve, and perceived value in daily operations. Technical teams provided input on integration complexity, system stability, and data processing. Observers offered a more external perspective, reflecting on broader adoption potential and ecosystem relevance. Feedback was collected anonymously in some cases to ensure honest responses, while open workshops allowed real-time discussions and clarification of concerns.

One of the key strengths of this approach was its inclusivity and adaptability. Pilot teams could make use of certain questions according to their local context, while a shared set of core metrics ensured comparability across sites. The feedback collection effort thus not only evaluated the WDME’s performance but also fostered a culture of collaboration and shared learning across the consortium.

What the pilots told us: Key insights

User experience and usability

End-users across the six pilot countries generally responded positively to the WDME’s core functionalities. The platform’s data harmonisation features, ability to manage large volumes of heterogeneous data, and flexible visualisation tools were consistently appreciated. Users specifically praised the Data Portal and the Pipeline Editor for their intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, which lowered the barrier to entry even for those with limited technical backgrounds.

However, the feedback also highlighted pain points. Some users struggled with terminology that was too technical or not well explained, and they pointed out that onboarding documentation could be clearer and more visual. While training sessions were helpful, there was a strong call for additional learning materials, such as video tutorials and guided walkthroughs. Users also suggested that the platform could better accommodate domain-specific workflows, especially in niche applications like flood modelling or digital twin configurations.

Technical performance and integration

Technical stakeholders emphasised the WDME’s strengths in data interoperability and extensibility. Integration with external systems such as SCADA platforms, weather APIs, and machine learning prediction models was achieved at most pilot sites. This allowed utilities to build real-time decision-support pipelines and enhance operational forecasting capabilities.

Nevertheless, setting up data connectors was often described as time-consuming and requiring manual intervention. There was a widespread request for automation of these processes and a template-based approach to simplify common configurations. Several sites also reported difficulties scaling the platform for very large datasets, highlighting the need for improved performance tuning and parallel processing support. Despite these challenges, the technical community found WDME’s modular architecture promising and appreciated the responsiveness of the support teams during troubleshooting.

Observer perspectives

Observers, including stakeholders from public administrations, academic institutions, and industry partners, brought a strategic lens to the feedback. They valued the WDME as a potential enabler for data-driven policy, regulatory compliance, and inter-agency collaboration. Observers found the ability to federate data across organisations, along with granular access control features, to be particularly relevant in complex water governance contexts.

In some cases, observers were only introduced to the platform during the pilot demonstration events. Even with limited exposure, they were impressed by the platform’s potential to provide transparency, accountability, and operational foresight. Their feedback reinforced the importance of positioning WDME not just as a technical tool, but as a vehicle for digital transformation across the entire water sector.

Lessons learned

The first pilot iteration generated valuable takeaways that extend beyond technical functionality:

  • User engagement must go hand-in-hand with technical sophistication. A high-performing platform needs intuitive interfaces, helpful documentation, and accessible training.
  • Scalability and automation are essential for real-world uptake. Manual configurations slow down adoption, particularly in resource-constrained organisations.
  • Interoperability is a cornerstone for future-readiness. The ability to integrate with existing tools and to adapt to new data types is central to the WDME’s value proposition.
  • Continuous feedback loops enhance innovation. Real-time user input during the pilot phase accelerated iterative improvements and increased trust among stakeholders.

Turning feedback into action – Looking ahead towards impact assessment

The insights gathered from the first pilot iteration are already driving the roadmap for the next phase. The planned upgrades aim to solidify WDME’s role as a scalable, user-friendly, and future-proof platform for water data management. Importantly, the project remains committed to co-creation with stakeholders, ensuring that development remains grounded in real operational needs.

The second pilot iteration of WATERVERSE is currently underway, with a focus on assessing the real-world impact of the WDME across social, organisational, environmental, and operational dimensions. Early feedback indicates a growing appreciation for the platform’s role in streamlining cross-departmental collaboration and enabling data-driven decision-making. While full feedback from all pilot sites is still being collected, this iteration marks a shift from functional testing to impact evaluation, offering a more holistic view of how the WDME can transform water data ecosystems in practice.

The WATERVERSE pilot feedback process illustrates the profound value of listening carefully to those at the front lines of innovation. By engaging users, technical staff, and observers from six different countries, the project has built a deep understanding of what works, what needs refining, and where the greatest opportunities lie. The transition from pilot to production is now being shaped by this collective intelligence. As the second pilot iteration continues, the WDME stands not only as a technical achievement but as a growing community of practice committed to digital excellence in water management across Europe