Risks posed to human health and the environment by pollutants and pathogens present in water ressources

Project Information

AquaticPollutants

Grant agreement ID: 869178

DOI

10.3030/869178

Project closed

EC signature date 30 October 2019

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 30 June 2025

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 18 181 814,00

EU contribution

€ 5 999 998,62

Coordinated by

KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AquaticPollutants (Risks posed to human health and the environment by pollutants and pathogens present in water ressources)

Reporting period: 2021-07-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD), Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), European Green Deal, and One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) require EU Member States to maintain good environmental status in aquatic ecosystems, including freshwater, groundwater, and marine environments. Globally, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) urge the protection of human health, clean water, and healthy aquatic ecosystems, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainability.
Despite these frameworks, aquatic environments face threats from emerging pollutants and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria, posing risks to biodiversity and public health. To tackle these challenges, the ERA-Net Cofund AquaticPollutants initiative was launched, uniting three Joint Programming Initiatives (JPIs): Water, Oceans, and AMR. It aimed to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and align with strategic research priorities to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA).
In addition to European partners, the initiative included partners from associated and third countries, enhancing global cooperation. Through its joint call, it supported research projects that contributed to the improvement of water quality, ecosystem resilience, and public health. Additional instruments under the framework promoted coordination and long-term sustainability. AquaticPollutants raised awareness and aligned research efforts to support policy and innovation for safeguarding aquatic ecosystems.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The ERA-NET Cofund AquaticPollutants began on 1 January 2020. Within the first 18 months, a strong management structure was established to handle legal, financial, and administrative tasks, and to ensure transparent communication among consortium partners, JPIs, the European Commission, and stakeholders. Outreach was conducted via websites, newsletters, and social media.
A joint strategic framework was developed, aligning the objectives of the JPIs for Water, Oceans, and AMR to integrate the three domains. A key milestone was the Joint Transnational Call (JTC) on “Risks posed to human health and the environment by pollutants,” resulting in 18 funded research projects across diverse disciplines.
In parallel, the AquaticPollutants TransNet project was funded to enhance knowledge transfer on aquatic pollutants and AMR. It identified stakeholders, developed communication tools, and fostered collaboration among the 18 projects through workshops and networking.
The Thematic Annual Programming (TAP) aligned national RDI programs with AquaticPollutants goals, promoting collaboration and maximizing investment impact. Additional activities included also a PhD Forum with 11 webinars and dedicated sessions for young scientists, and a Best-Practice Roadshow held at major international conferences.
All activities concluded successfully in June 2025, enhancing research impact, visibility, and policy integration.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Transnational collaboration among member countries of the JPIs on Water, Oceans, and AMR began in 2020 through three key activities: the Joint Transnational Call (JTC), the Networking and Transfer Project, and Thematic Annual Programming (TAP). These efforts fostered synergies across freshwater, marine, and health research sectors, previously operating in isolation.
Research topics aligned with the Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIAs) of the JPIs. All 18 funded JTC projects engaged with at least two domains, many spanning all three—marking a shift toward cross-sectoral, problem-oriented science.
To boost research impact, Additional Activities focused on stakeholder engagement. The Networking and Transfer Project established a science-policy interface to connect researchers with decision-makers and support policy-relevant dissemination, including a policy brief.
The Best-Practice Roadshow showcased project outcomes at World Water Week and the IWA conference, raising awareness of aquatic ecosystem health. The TAP Action aligned national research agendas with JPI priorities, enhancing coordination and investment impact.
The PhD Forum supported early-career researchers through webinars and dedicated sessions. International cooperation was strengthened with partners from associated and third countries, including African nations via SIDA. AquaticPollutants contributed to the UN 2030 Agenda, supporting SDGs 3, 6, and 14.

Logo of the ERANet Cofund

Logo of JPI Oceans

Logo of JPI AMR

Logo of Water JPI