Final report from Environment-Water Task Force
The European Commission's Environment-Water Task Force has recently published their final report entitled "Freshwater: a challenge for research and innovation". The Task-Force was established in 1996 with the aim of defining water research priorities, reinforcing coordination between relevant European, national and private research activities and stimulating an environment favourable to innovation in this sector. A wide-ranging consultation process was carried out on the basis of priority orientations for research and innovation in freshwater management and use, identified by the Task-Force themselves. This process encompassed a cross-section of the various stakeholders in the freshwater field, such as researchers, water and wastewater utilities, technology and service providers, regulatory bodies and city and land use planners. The report reviews actions in progress within the Fourth RTD Framework Programme and identifies complementarities between the various scientific, technological and economic disciplines, as well as the possible synergies between European, national, local and private sector actions. The final report sets out priorities for research and innovation in the area of freshwater management and use, on the basis of the consultations carried out and aims to provide greater transparency and clarity in this matter. A broad range of activities, from basic research to pilot demonstration, education and training, through to technological development and pre-normative work are encompassed in the report. This will provide useful input into the detailed definition of the proposed key action on sustainable management and quality of water within the upcoming Fifth RTD Framework Programme. The following sections are contained in the report: - Paving the way for future EU initiatives; - The way forward in the implementation of the actions; - The key action on sustainable management and quality of water; - The ten priority action lines; - The action lines and preliminary axes set out by the Task Force; - Summary of the external consultation process; - Selection criteria for priority setting as related to freshwater research; - Summary background data and analyses.