Related EU Projects

Slovakia has sufficient water resources for all kinds of uses. However, these water resources are not evenly distributed and in recent years problems of supply (both drinking water and water for commercial use) have arisen in some parts of Slovakia due to inefficient water use. In particular, freshwater, especially drinking water is often wasted.

Efficient water management must take into account floods and droughts, the role of water in the biosphere, human impacts on water quantity and quality, prevention of pollution and protection of water resources and water systems – water works, water for agriculture, water for inhabitants and industry, wastewater treatment and the discharge of water. Last but not least, climate change might also be having an impact. Even though areas with temporary shortage of water are found only in certain parts of Slovakia, actions to address the prevention of water shortage should be carried out throughout the country. 

The main objective of the WATLIFE project was to change common attitudes and inefficient water use practices that are causing shortages and pollution in Slovakia. This change would be achieved through increased awareness of the importance of water and its sustainable use among the general public and among stakeholders, in compliance with the Water Framework Directive. The project would operate alongside communication campaigns undertaken by the Commission and the Slovak government.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=3503&docType=pdf

The aim of this study was to examine the barriers and opportunities in the retrofitting of sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) to appraise their effectiveness in the mitigation of flood risk. The study has investigated the feasibility of the implementation of SUDS. Specifically, it has examined a range of multiple benefits from retrofitting SuDS such as: the enhancement of air quality; and the identification of a number of potential barriers, including the lack of trust in such systems. However, the study suggests that further research is required to identify the monetary and non-monetary benefits of SuDS as part of an integrated approach of flood risk management.

Oladunjoye, O., Proverbs, D. and Collins, B. (2017). The Barriers and Opportunities to the Retrofit of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) Towards Improving Flood Risk Mitigation in Urban Areas in the UK. In: International Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS). [online] Leeds. Available at:

Link

[Accessed 14 Feb. 2018].

Wastewater reuse is currently considered globally as the most critical element of sustainable water management. Water scarcity, foreseen to aggravate, pushes for maximum utilization of non-conventional water. Although reuse is accompanied by a number of benefits, several potential drawbacks still puzzle scientists. The applied treatments fail to completely remove microcontaminants, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and/or their genes (ARB&Gs). Knowledge on the actual effects of reuse with regard to these aspects is currently not consolidated. This Action will answer critical questions through a European multidisciplinary network, structured in interactive Working Groups (WGs), to achieve: a) identification of the microbiome and mobile antibiotic resistome in treated wastewater, b) assessment of the potential for uptake/transmission of microcontaminants and ARB&Gs in crops, c) determination of effect-based bioassays required for wastewater reuse, d) identification of efficient/economically viable technologies able to meet the current challenges and, e) development of a relevant risk assessment and policy framework. The Action will establish criteria on technologies/assessment methods for wastewater treatment and suggest new effluent quality criteria to overcome current barriers and safeguard the reuse practice. The Action will have a major impact on the enhancement of sustainable wastewater reuse in light of current challenges at technological, economical and societal level.