A newsletter for the “Water Cycle and Soil Related Aspects” activities in the
European Commission Directorate
General for Research
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FP6 - Water cycle and Soil related aspects - Results of the 4th Call for proposals
After the evaluation of received proposals a number of projects have been selected in this area for immediate negotiation (Traditional Instruments only). A short description of the projects' objectives, consortia and contact persons have been compiled together with the results of the 3rd Call in a publication available at:
FP6 - Global Change and Ecosystems: 3,7 M€ allocated to reinforce international scientific collaboration
A specific call aiming at promoting the participation of partners from Targeted Third Countries in projects for which contracts are already signed or under negotiation in priority thematic areas of research has been launched recently (FP6-2006-TTC-TU-Priority-6-3). The deadline for submission of proposals is 16 May 2006.
The list of eligible projects for this specific call and necessary information is available at http://www.cordis.lu/sustdev/environment/calls_20060215.htm
FP6 - Descartes prize call is open until 4 May, 2006
Two prizes will be awarded this year: one for scientific research and one for science communication.
A specific panel of highly recognised scientists will evaluate and assess the proposals in earth sciences. Winners receive amounts which may go up to €1 million.
Guidelines, application forms and information are available on the Cordis website: http://fp6.cordis.europa.eu.int/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.FP6DetailsCallPage&call_id=266
For further information, please visit the Descartes website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/descartes/index_en.htm
or please contact: rtd-descartes@ec.europa.eu.
The Open Modelling Interface and Environment (OpenMI) launch meeting
DG RTD hosted a meeting in Brussels on 15th February 2006 to inform senior representatives of user organisations (water companies, competent national and regional water authorities, research organisations, consultants) about OpenMI and its benefits. The Open Modelling Interface and Environment (the OpenMI) is the result of the HarmonIT FP5 project (see http://www.harmonit.org). The driving force for the project was the need to provide water managers with tools that would enable them to implement the integrated approach to water management called for by the Water Framework Directive. This requires an ability to predict not only how individual catchment processes will respond to ‘programmes of measures’ but also to foresee how those processes will interact with each other. Prediction is achieved through the use of models but until the development of the OpenMI technology, no generic open practical mechanism existed that could link together models of different processes from different suppliers running on different machines. HarmonIT has developed and proved the concept of the OpenMI, which solves this complex problem, also thanks to the collaboration among the three major hydrology software developing companies in Europe. The OpenMI will not only make life easier for thousands of water and environmental managers across Europe, it will open up the business market for small companies and universities who are developing computer models. To further promote the use and dissemination of this tool, the HarmonIT project established the OpenMI Association which is opened to companies, public organisations and universities interested in system analysis and modelling. For further information on the OpenMI Association see http://www.OpenMI.org
Seawater desalination: an innovative pilot plant is producing 3.000 l/h
The FP5 project AQUASOL has recently presented its final hybrid solar energy-based desalination plant in Tabernas (Spain). The prototype, one of the main outcomes of the project, is combining effective parabolic solar collectors, optimised heat pump and Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) powered by solar/gas fired energy. The consortium is planning to continue the tests of the prototype beyond the project duration in view to obtain additional and conclusive performance data.
Environmental aspects of brine disposal have been considered in the project with the development and optimisation of solar ponds including forced evaporation and salt recovery.
More details and final results will be available soon at http://www.psa.es/webeng/aquasol/index.html
Ecoflood guidelines: How to use floodplains for flood risk reduction
These guidelines are the final product of the Ecoflood EC funded project. The main objective of these guidelines is to promote the use of floodplains as natural flood defence measures, while at the same time optimising other compatible functions and values through conservation and restoration. It is intended that these guidelines will be used as a tool primarily by policy-makers and decision-makers who are aware of the potential advantages of floodplain restoration and management in the role of flood control, but may benefit from comprehensive guidance on assessing, initiating, funding and carrying-out such schemes as well as information on the other functions floodplains can perform. It is also intended that they will be an accessible source of information for a wide range of stakeholders with an interest in floodplain management. Case studies are provided to illustrate the wide range of schemes that can be carried out and the degrees of success that have been achieved. The guidelines are going to be published shortly by the Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, a preliminary version is available at the following project address: http://levis.sggw.waw.pl/ecoflood/
Best Practice Guidance for Management of Cyanotoxins in Water Supplies
The TOXIC FP5 project has recently submitted its final report. The project addressed priority hazardous water pollutants, i.e. cyanobacteria and the potent biotoxins (cyanotoxins), which have been observed in water bodies including drinking water reservoirs throughout Europe, with a view of providing solutions for water management and purification strategies to reduce associated human health risk. The results of the project show that removal of cyanobacteria toxins – cell bound and dissolved – in drinking water treatment trains is possible with high efficiency if the following aspects are considered:
raw water management and early warning systems
application of precise and optimized analytical techniques
optimized treatment trains
One of the major achievements of the TOXIC project is the compilation of a technical manual on “Best Practice Guidance for Management of Cyanotoxins in Water Supplies” which provides practical guidance to water utilities. This guidance considers the selection, design and operation of water treatment processes to achieve cost-effective removal of algae and cyanotoxins for particular situations and the implementation of secure and cost-effective monitoring strategies for cyanotoxins. For more information on this report contact Dr. Wido Schmidt (schmidt@tzw-dresden.de)
“Guidelines for sustainable water management in tourism facilities” issued by the FP5 SWAMP project
The guidelines include the experience collected at the SWAMP demonstration sites and knowledge of all the project partners. The intention is to promote an integrated approach to water supply and wastewater treatment, targeted towards reuse of water and nutrients, in tourism facilities at remote locations.
SWAMP is a demonstration project co-funded by the EC through its 5th Framework Program. More about the project under www.swamp-eu.org.
Additional information about this publication can be obtained at www.aee.at/shop/shop_content.php?buch=154 .
“Learning together to manage together – improving participation in water management” issued by the FP5 HarmoniCOP project.
This handbook discusses public participation and social learning in river basin management. It has been written for water managers responsible for implementing the European Water Framework Directive. It contains ideas, approaches and methods for:
The handbook can be downloaded at: http://www.harmonicop.info/handbook.php
A guide to successful (scientific) communications prepared by the EC Directorate-General for Research
The publication is intended to help coordinators and team leaders of the Sixth EU Framework Programme projects generate an effective flow of information and publicity on the objectives and results of their work, the contributions made to European knowledge and scientific excellence, the value of collaboration at European scale and the benefits to EU citizens in general. Topics covered include setting up of a communication strategy, media relations, website communications, printed publications, presentations, audiovisual media and the use of external resources.
Th publication can be downloaded from: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/conferences/2004/cer2004/pdf/rtd_2004_guide_success_communication.pdf
Hardcopies can be obtained from the EU Publications Office: http://bookshop.eu.int/
Effectiveness of urban wastewater treatment policies in selected countries: an EEA pilot study
This pilot study examines the effectiveness of wastewater policies and measures in six Member States. The report seeks to clarify the role of local authorities, policy instruments and financial mechanisms in securing effective implementation. It also addresses the issue of cost-effectiveness. The report focuses on the extension of sewage plants with appropriate levels of treatment (biological or advanced) and trends in discharges to surface waters.
The whole report can be found on the European Environment Agency website: http://reports.eea.eu.int/eea_report_2005_2/en
14:30 – 14:35 Introduction of the session by the Chairman
14:35 – 15:35 Presentation of Local Actions
Forecasting flood events: European technology at the leading edge - Karsten HAVNØ, DHI Water & Environment, Denmark
Integrated Water Resources Management: Developing decision support tools for promoting interaction between researchers and various stakeholders - Carlo GIUPPONI, FEEM, Italy
Asset management: Sound decision making and planning for sustainable investment in operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of buried water infrastructure - Will WILLIAMS,WRC plc, United Kingdom
Waste Water Treatment: New technological concepts and processes - Tom VEREIJKEN, Paques B.V., The Netherlands
15:35 – 16:20 High Level Panel Discussion
16:20 – 16:30 Keynote Speech: Technological Innovation for Sustainable Water Management - Andrea TILCHE, European Commission, DG Research
In addition, during the week of the Forum dissemination of results and information from EC funded water research projects shall take place at Pavilion No. 40
Background documents for the session can be downloaded from http://forum.europa.eu.int/Public/irc/rtd/eesdwatkeact/library?l=/mexico_16-22_2006&vm=detailed&sb=Title
‘New business opportunities in innovative environmental technology through EU funding’, Workshop in Zaragoza, Spain - 29th March 2006.
On 1 April 2004 the EC funded project PRODESTS (http://www.prodests.org/) was launched with the aim to stimulate research collaboration with small companies. Two years of activities resulted in an active research network with continuous exchange of information and ideas on promotion, demonstration and development of environmental and clean technologies. The main achievements will now be presented in a workshop linked to the SMAGUA exhibition in Spain (www.smagua.com). The program includes:
strategies to overcome barriers for SME participation in European research projects
the use of networks as a hub into the European research area
roadmapping of environmental technologies
the PRODESTS web portal as a means to reach funding and partnering opportunities
participation of SMEs in research projects through enterprise groupings.
The workshop takes place on Wednesday March 29th 2006, from 16:00 till 19:30h on the SMAGUA exhibition premises, Zaragoza, Spain. For more information, please contact info@prodests.org.
Interim results of the ALERT project will be presented at the International Congress on Integrated Water Resources Management and Challenges of the Sustainable Development, Marrakech, Morocco, 23-24-25 May 2006.
The EU funded FP6 project ALERT “Sustainable Management of Water Resources by Automated Real-Time Monitoring” is aiming to develop and validate an innovative strategy for monitoring groundwater quality and quantity. Partners of this project will present relevant achievements obtained so far, addressing issues such as:
numerical simulation of saltwater intrusion dynamics
water abstraction impacts on coastal aquifers
Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) as a tool for sustainable water management
hydrogeological monitoring using ERT measurements
More information on the project: http://coastal-alert.bgs.ac.uk/public/index.html
More information on the congress: http://www.ucam.ac.ma/gire3d/anglais/index1.htm
European Groundwater Conference in Vienna, Austria - 22-23 June 2006
The conference will focus on policy and science-policy aspects of the overall EU groundwater legislative framework concerning the chemical quality of groundwater as well as on the implementation of the groundwater elements of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC and of related EU directives. The key topic at the conference will be the new EU Daughter Directive on Groundwater protection against pollution.
For further information please visit: http://www.umweltbundesamt.at/en/umweltschutz/wasser/wasser_events/eu-grundwasser2006/
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The information and views set out in this newsletter are those of the author(s) and do not reflect necessarily the official opinion of the European Communities. Neither the European Communities institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made on the information contained therein. This newsletter may be freely distributed.
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EDITOR:
European Commission
DG Research, Unit I02
Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Belgium © European Communities, 2006.
e-mail : Avelino.Gonzalez-Gonzalez@ec.europa.eu Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged