Event Details
Water is fundamental for life, yet pollution threatens drinking water sources and groundwater resilience. The Zero Pollution4Water Cluster, aligned with the EU Green Deal's Zero Pollution and Circular Economy ambition, tackles these challenges through research, innovation, and collaboration.
Coordinated by Water Europe, the cluster unites seven Horizon Europe funded sister projects: MAR2PROTECT, NINFA, UPWATER, H2OforAll, intoDBP, SafeCREW, and ToDrinQ. These projects advance solutions for managed aquifer recharge, emerging pollutants, digital monitoring, and sustainable treatment methods to enhance water resilience and public health.
This event will present the new publication "ZeroPollution4Water Cluster: Overview and Inventory of 32 Case Studies in Drinking and Groundwater", published by the European Commission REA (March 2025). Covering 18 countries, it details case studies, technological advances, policy recommendations, and real-world applications aimed at zero-pollution water management.
Launched in 2022, the seven Horizon Europe-funded projects focus on preventing groundwater pollution and securing drinking water quality. They develop and test early-warning systems and treatment solutions to safeguard water from source to supply, addressing climate change impacts.
The Case Study Inventory highlights:
- Current drinking and groundwater pollution challenges.
- Innovative mitigation strategies and project ambitions.
- Impacts of climate change, including droughts and floods.
- Development of monitoring technologies, risk management, and water treatment solutions.
This inventory fosters synergies, cooperation, and outreach, supporting evidence-based policymaking. The Zero Pollution4Water Cluster contributes to the Water Framework Directive, Drinking Water Directive, Groundwater Directive, and EU water resilience strategies.
Key takeaways and expected outcomes:
- Policy recommendations for integrating research into EU water strategies.
- Strengthened partnerships among researchers, policymakers, and industry.
- Increased visibility of the ZeroPollution4Water Cluster, its projects, and related research topics.
- Future collaboration opportunities for sustainable water management.
