EU-funded projects delivering safe and sustainable water supplies

Every day billions of people around the world still lack access to clean and safe water. To mark World Water Day on 22 March, REA is highlighting some EU-funded projects that are pioneering new approaches to keeping our water safe and sustainable.

The MAT4TREAT project is tackling emerging pollutants, which are chemicals difficult to remove during wastewater treatment. If consumed, these pose a potential risk to human health. This EU-funded project developed novel materials as an innovative and low-cost solution to removing these pollutants, leading to cleaner and safer water.

The REC project is focused on sustainable water usage in agriculture. In the Mediterranean, for example, agricultural irrigation accounts for 80% of total water usage. The REC project is deploying remote sensing of soil moisture combined with modelling techniques so we can know when and where irrigation is or isn’t needed. This not only reduces water consumption, but also helps better predict flooding, landslides, groundwater sources, and vegetation carbon.

The SANITAS project aims to make cities more sustainable. It has carried out a broad spectrum of research focused on improving the management of urban wastewater, boosting the sustainability of cities, and helping prevent the contamination of our drinking water, rivers, lakes and seas.

The SOLACE project is studying current and future scenarios of water and nutrient limitations in European agriculture. With less rainfall predicted due to global warming, water shortages, nutrient availability and uptake by plants are all likely to change. SOLACE is focusing on the most important crops for the EU economy and global food security, developing management and breeding strategies to mitigate the effects of these changes.

The WATERPROTECT project focuses on how farming impacts drinking water. It is developing new tools and solutions targeting potential nitrate and pesticide pollution, in particular from intensive agriculture. The engagement and participation of farmers, local authorities, water utilities, and consumer organisations has been a core element of the project.

The FATIMA project has sought to optimise yield and income from crop production, by providing the tools and data that farmers need to get the best results from a minimal use of water, nutrients, energy, pesticides and herbicides. The ultimate goal is to ensure Europeans have access to good quality food while protecting the environment and public health.

MAT4TREAT, REC, and SANITAS are funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme of Horizon 2020, which supports researchers at all stages of their careers.

SOLACE, WATERPROTECT and FATIMA are funded by Horizon 2020 - Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy programme. Through research and innovation, it aims to create the solutions Europe needs for a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and efficient bioeconomy.