Climate resilience and safer drinking water
The EU-funded project SafeCREW(opens in new window) addressed the urgent need to ensure a safe and affordable drinking water supply in the EU. Increasing climate change pressures are resulting in rising water temperatures and elevated microbial and natural organic matter (NOM) loads. “These changes challenge the operation of both disinfected and non-disinfected drinking water supply systems (DWSSs), especially regarding the formation of harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs) and microbiological stability,” explains project coordinator Anissa Grieb from the DVGW Research Centre(opens in new window) at Hamburg University of Technology.
Novel monitoring and analytical methods
To address this challenge, SafeCREW set out to develop and test a range of innovative tools. These included novel analytical methods to better characterise NOM and DBP loads, as well as monitoring tools such as trihalomethane sensors, passive microbial samplers and artificial intelligence-based soft sensors. Following on from this, treatment solutions were developed. The project advanced membrane-, adsorption- and oxidation-based NOM removal technologies. Predictive models for DBP formation and risk assessment were also built. These innovations were implemented and trialled across four European countries – Germany, Italy, Spain and Ukraine. “Fieldwork comprised extensive water sampling campaigns, monitoring in treatment plants and distribution networks, and testing new technologies in full-scale or pilot set-ups,” says Grieb. “The monitoring and modelling tools were tested in real drinking water systems.”
Broader deployment of water quality tools
These pilot trials enabled the team to identify the most effective analysis and monitoring tools for dealing with DBP formation. “Soft sensors can serve as the backbone of an early-warning system for drinking water management,” notes Grieb. Proof of concept was also achieved for a passive sampler for the detection of sporadically present pathogens. Novel treatment processes for reducing NOM and DBP formation were also advanced, along with validated DBP prediction models to support real-time water quality management. Water management tools supporting decision-making in DBP minimisation such as the DBP risk explorer(opens in new window), were successfully developed, along with an integrated risk management framework combining chemical, microbial and toxicity data. The project team also communicated its results – as well as the importance of tackling NOM and DBPs – through webinars, training modules, and collaboration with the ZeroPollution4Water Cluster. The aim of this was to ensure uptake by utilities, authorities and policymakers to inform effective, science-based policy and operational decisions.
Scaling up of monitoring technologies
The utilities involved in SafeCREW have already adapted their management processes and plan to spread their experiences to other utilities. Three partners of SafeCREW are still actively involved in consulting water utilities. Publicly available(opens in new window) comprehensive guidelines, analytical protocols and policy briefs will serve to ensure that the project’s results will continue to be built upon. “These materials can support utilities in adapting treatment and distribution management for DBP control and climate resilience,” adds Grieb. Next steps include the broader deployment and scaling up of the developed monitoring technologies and treatment methods in drinking water utilities. Further research is also needed on emerging unregulated DBPs, especially sulfonated compounds, as well as the continued refinement of risk assessment frameworks. “The promotion of knowledge transfer, operational integration and capacity building, particularly in regions like Ukraine, is ongoing,” says Grieb. “Further funding and collaboration efforts will help to support large-scale implementation.”
