AQUACARE

AQUACARE: Identification, quantification and elimination of emerging contaminants in river basins.

Programme: INTERREG SUDOE 2021-2027

Duration: 36 months, 01/06/2025 a 31/05/2028

Partners: Universidad de Cádiz, Universidade do Porto, Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, Aitiip, Empresa de Águas e Energia do Município do Port, Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, Université de Perpignan, CNRS-Université de Pau y Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas.

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Until now, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive did not regulate the discharge of micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and microplastics. The new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which will lead to cleaner rivers and lakes across Europe, includes the control of micropollutants and indicates the obligation to apply additional treatment to urban wastewater in order to eliminate these micropollutants; it also urges Member States to draw up a list of areas that pose a risk to health or the environment due to the presence of micropollutants and to carry out systematic monitoring of them.

The general objective of AQUACARE is to protect and conserve water resources, strengthening resilience against micropollutants of emerging concern. The realization of this project would provide administrations and companies in these regions with strategic resources to address the proliferation of emerging contaminants in rivers and their consequent deterioration. It will provide a common methodology for the identification, analysis, and reduction of micropollutants, a strategic reference plan for the sustainable management of these discharges and to reduce the entry of micropollutants into river basins; valuable information on unregistered sources of pollution and the presence of these contaminants in river basins; as well as solutions and good practices for stakeholders, including public participation and awareness.