The Challenges
Groundwater (GW) is an important freshwater resource that provides water supplies and livelihoods and helps during dry periods. Pollution of GW is a global issue that harms human and environmental health, ecosystem services and ultimately causes economic losses. A recent report from the European Environmental Agency found that 26% of the European Union’s GW bodies have poor chemical status. The issues these GW bodies face are mainly due to the use of fertilizers and pesticides in farming but industrial and urban activities also leave their footprint on the GW via recharge of water polluted with e.g. contaminants of emerging concern (such as plasticizers, halogenated compounds, pharmaceutical, personal care and industrial compounds), highly toxic heavy metals, and/or pathogens. Once the pollutants reach the GW, they can harm the environment for a long time, and fixing the damage is difficult and expensive. Hence, to protect our GW, we need effective and affordable measures to prevent and mitigate pollution.
Our goals and methodology
The UPWATER project will assess the effectiveness of various preventive strategies (e.g., regulation, governance, etc.) and of different nature-based technologies for the safe and contaminant-free recharge of water into aquifers. To accomplish this, UPWATER will:
- increase the scientific knowledge related to the identification, occurrence and fate of pollutants in the GW
- develop and apply cost-efficient sampling methods based on passive samplers for chemicals and pathogens
- develop isotopic tracer methodologies for identifying and quantifying pollution sources
- develop water quality modelling tools to simulate scenarios for the proposed measures under multiple stressors and climate change scenarios
- develop, implement and validate bio-based engineered natural water treatment systems designed as mitigation solutions to protect GW pollution
- develop a framework for integrated risk analysis and impact assessment
- develop a participatory framework to analyse and prioritise the non-technological preventive measures and provide policy recommendations at local and EU levels
Case Studies
The monitoring, modelling and mitigation solutions will be validated in 3 case studies, representing different GW pollution problems in different socio-economical contexts, hydrogeological and climate conditions. Two case studies are located in an urban area (Barcelona and Athens), one in a rural area (Stengaarden). Technological and analytical strategies will be deployed in each case study to:
- monitor groundwater pollutants;
- evaluate the efficiency of biobased solutions for pollution mitigation;
- develop and update GW models for each site.
Non-technological measures through a participatory and multi-criterion and integral approach in each site will be followed by early engagement of their different stakeholders to finally assess and prioritise the best pollution prevention policy options for each site based on its social, environmental and economical characteristics.
Stengaarden dumpsite in Denmark
- Polluted rural area at which the groundwater is impacted by pesticide wastes
- Pollutants to be studied: industrial pesticides, pesticide metabolites, trace metals
- Monitoring systems: CPS, DGT
- Mitigation solutions: MBBR and biofilters
Athens metropolitan region in Greece
- Polluted urban area
- Pollutants to be studied: CECs, PFAS, PAHs, trace metals, and pathogens
- Monitoring systems: CPS, VPS, DGT
- Mitigation solutions: ZVI-biolectrochemical wetland
Besós – Barcelona metropolitan region
- Polluted urban area
- Pollutants to be studied: CECs, PFAS, pesticides, trace metals, and pathogens
- Monitoring systems: CPS, VPS, DGT
- Mitigation solutions: floating wetland, ZVI-biolectrochemical wetland
ZeroPollution4Water Cluster
We are proud to be part of the ZP4W Cluster, a new-born initiative that originated from the coalition of seven different water projects, all funded by the EU. The cluster seeks to foster collaboration and synergy not only among its own projects but also with other existing or forthcoming initiatives. By joining forces, we accelerate the transition to a zero-pollution future for water. Take a look at the ZP4W website!
Legend
CECs: Contaminants of Emerging Concern
CPS: Ceramic Passive Sampler
VPS: Viral Passive Sampler
DGT: Diffusive Gradients in Thin films
MBBR: Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor
ZVI: Zero Valent Iron
PFAS: Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances
PAHs: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons