Project description
Wastewater systems against climate extremes
As a result of climate change, wastewater facilities around the world are being threatened due to the increased frequency of natural disasters such as heavy rainfall and flooding, which result in system breakdowns that compromise public safety. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the CIAWI project aims to assess uncertainties in the forecasting of the influent through multiple model frameworks that include hydrological modelling and artificial intelligence. The research incorporates life cycle and techno-economic analysis to facilitate better adaptation plans for water treatment facilities. Through its validated and open source methodology, the CIAWI project has developed a pathway for managing infrastructure that helps Europeans shift towards sustainable wastewater treatment facilities.
Objective
Climate change-induced extreme weather events threaten wastewater infrastructure serving billion people globally, causing system failures that endanger public health and environmental sustainability. Current assessment methods inadequately represent complex climate-infrastructure interactions, limiting effective adaptation planning. This project aims to (1) establish a systematic quantitative framework for climate-to-sewer impact assessment, (2) develop climate-responsive wastewater influent forecasting with uncertainty quantification, and (3) quantify climate resilience and optimize adaptation strategies for wastewater treatment plants.
The research employs an innovative multi-model integration approach that combines climate projections, hydrological modeling, and hydraulic simulations to comprehensively assess climate-to-sewer impacts. Advanced machine learning algorithms will enable climate-responsive wastewater influent forecasting with uncertainty quantification. Adaptation strategies will be systematically evaluated based on wastewater treatment simulation models coupled with multi-objective optimization algorithms using integrated Life Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis criteria.
The project will deliver a novel standardized framework linking climate projections to wastewater system performance, validated open-source modeling tools, and evidence-based adaptation recommendations. Results will be disseminated through high-impact publications, conference presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities. This interdisciplinary research will advance climate adaptation science, develop innovative methodologies, and provide practical solutions for sustainable infrastructure management. The framework will support European climate resilience goals and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 6 achievement through enhanced wastewater infrastructure planning capabilities.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health
- engineering and technology environmental engineering water treatment processes wastewater treatment processes
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences sustainability sciences
- engineering and technology environmental engineering ecosystem-based management climate change adaptation
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.