Final Report Summary - SWIFT-WFD (Screening method for Water data Information in support of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive) The SWIFT-WFD project aimed to facilitate the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) regarding water quality and had the following objectives: 1. to review existing and emerging tools and techniques for chemical water quality monitoring; 2. to assess the quality of information which was obtained during the implementation of these tools; 3. to identify the principal constraints concerning the tools' application; 4. to examine the relevance of the tools to WFD monitoring; 5. to develop robust quality control and validation methods based on the above findings. The potential impact of new devices on monitoring costs and decision making processes was investigated via several pilot case studies of river basin management. A best practice document was subsequently prepared to assist stakeholders in the selection of optimal methods, adapted to the specific problems' conditions at moderate costs. Firstly, an inventory of existing and emerging screening methods was performed, to provide access to consistent and reliable data that would allow for international comparisons. In addition, existing quality control (QC) tools and laboratories operating in the field were reviewed and compared to the state of the art. Furthermore, field trials were organised to evaluate in-situ operating methods. Tank tests were also undertaken to facilitate the production of novel protocols and procedures for quality assurance and control of screening tools. Sensitive and specialised biosensors were developed based on contemporary knowledge from the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics. The devices were evaluated and optimised in laboratory conditions. In addition, new screening tools for targeted pollutants were designed, exploiting biomimetic systems. The examined new screening methods and emerging tools (SMETs) proved to assist the successful selection of measures responding to specific needs and could thus prevent unnecessary operational and environmental costs. Numerous activities were organised to link these findings to policy making, such as workshops, demonstration days and interviews with stakeholders in selected river basins. A market study assessed the commercialisation potential of the proposals. It occurred that, in spite of their innovative characteristics, they would likely be used for investigative monitoring or complementarily to conventional methods and that their degree of exploitation was expected to vary significantly among different countries. The SWIFT-WFD project helped the dissemination of a large amount of information regarding technologies with the potential to support the necessary monitoring activities to achieve WFD aims. Dissemination actions included, apart from workshops and demonstrations, training courses and e-learning tools, the development of a project website and the publication of policy briefs and newsletters. Therefore, the public awareness on SMETs was radically increased by the project. Related documents Final Report - SWIFT-WFD (Screening method for Water data Information in support of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive)
