| projects-581 |
LIFE16 NAT/BE/000807 |
LIFE4FISH |
Downstream fish migration along the low Meuse River |
LIFE |
Nature |
Ecological coherence,Fish |
2017-10-01 |
2023-09-30 |
Completed |
€ 003 189 478.00 |
The project plans to characterise the populations and downstream migration routes along the Lower Meuse River. It will implement and monitor the impact of innovative ways of facilitating passage of fish through hydropower facilities, such as repelling barriers and fish passes, along with new hydropower control strategies. Specifically, the project aims to: Increase the survival rate of silver eels and salmon smolts to 80% and 90% in downstream migration; Increase the operation management capabilities of hydropower plants integrating fish migration intensity forecasts; Demonstrate the performance and transferability of solutions proposed; Identify migratory periods, downstream migration routes and influential parameters; Validate and demonstrate tools for monitoring downstream migration; Establish and demonstrate the value of a River Meuse stakeholder committee; and Establish a benchmark fostering large-scale replicability and transferability across the EU. Furthermore, the project aims to establish maximum direct mortality rates measured at 10% and 20% respectively for Atlantic salmon smolts and silver eels for all six hydropower sites. This objective will be reached with the roll-out of a set of innovative solutions combining systems that repel and guide fish, creating outlets for downriver migration and a system for anticipating critical periods. Expected results: Integrated Lower Meuse River basin approach favouring eel and salmon conservation and protection; Demonstration of a cumulated escapement rate exceeding 80% for eels and 90% for salmon; A powerful migration modelling and monitoring tool; An automated hydropower generation control and monitoring system; Two effective behavioural barriers preventing fish passing through dangerous routes during migration; A methodology taking into account local characteristics in operating hydropower plants; The commitment of 31 stakeholders from the Meuse river basin; and A transfer plan. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE16-NAT-BE-000807/downstream-fish-migration-along-the-low-meuse-river |
Rivers and estuaries' |
| projects-582 |
LIFE00 ENV/EE/000922 |
RAKWANET |
Demonstration Activities for the Reduction of Water Losses and Preservation of Water Quality in Over-dimensioned Water Distribution Network in Rakvere Town, Estonia |
LIFE |
Environment |
Water management and supply,Water resources protection |
2001-09-15 |
2003-09-15 |
Completed |
No data |
The main objective of the project was to prepare a comprehensive and integrated plan for the reduction of water loss from over-sized and degraded water distribution network in Rakvere town, whilst preserving the quality of water supplied to consumers and ensuring protection of groundwater. The wider aim of the project was to ensure a safe water supply in the future without any negative health impacts, and in quantities and qualities that correspond to future demand and Estonian and EU legislation. The project set out to close all separate old wells in the town and to supply water through the new water treatment plant. During the demonstration project it was planned to carry out all necessary activities to solve the problem of preserving water quality at requisite levels, when water flow will be reduced due to the reduction of water losses. The project aimed at addressing the goals of the Water Framework Directive, the Drinking Water Quality Directive (98/83/EC) and a number of Estonian legislative acts addressing issues of water consumption and protection. Nine main activities were to be undertaken: 1. Design and set-up of the technical database using Access software for detailed logging of water supply, sewage network and water consumption data. The database is designed to be used as an engineering, administrative and management tool for planning and decision making. 2. Leak detection and flow measurements in the water distribution network and inspection of valve chambers to determine the need for replacement of valves. 3. Creation and calibration of a computerized hydraulic model of the water network to determine the best technical and economic solution for the water supply network. 4. Design of a water loss control and management system and a remote control system for the continuous flow and pressure measurement and regulation. 5. Reconstruction of valve chambers for closing during the flushing, installation of pre-fabricated chambers with inductive water meters and pressure meters. 6. Cleaning of the water distribution network using mechanical ('eco-pig') and hydro/pneumatic (air and water) technology. The main purpose of this activity was to carry out cleaning of ca'30 km pipelines using two alternative methods, to increase the quality of supplied water and to demonstrate new and modern techniques of cleaning of water pipelines. 7. Reduction of hazards to the ground water quality by - closing of five old ground water wells with depth from 105 to 285 m. - mechanical cleaning of 9,10 km of sewage pipelines - CC-TV inspection of sewage pipelines - preparation of a renovation action plan for the sewage pipelines 8. Setting up measures for the improvement of operation and maintenance of the water supply system for the reduction of water loss and preservation of water quality. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE00-ENV-EE-000922/demonstration-activities-for-the-reduction-of-water-losses-and-preservation-of-water-quality-in-over-dimensioned-water-distribution-network-in-rakvere-town-estonia |
Urban water', 'Groundwater' |
| projects-583 |
LIFE99 ENV/A/000403 |
Sensitive water use management |
Management of sensible water uses with the help of innovative sensor technology. |
LIFE |
Environment |
Water resources protection |
1999-11-25 |
2002-05-25 |
Completed |
No data |
The aim of the project was to establish, test, and verify a water control and monitoring network at the Danube in Vienna for several bankside wells and a groundwater recharge plant. The main focus of the project was the application of newly developed sensors to everyday practises of drinking water supply and groundwater recharge. It was anticipated that new solutions within this research field would be suggested. These would be very relevant for the world’s arid regions, where sensor technologies can contribute to the development of efficient and safe drinking water supply systems. As surface waters are generally impacted on by several pollution risks, continuous water monitoring can contribute to the reduction of risks. The Danube at Vienna served as a scientific demonstration site for in-situ sensor technologies within this project, as both groundwater recharge and river infiltration are performed. In addition, anthropogenic uses, such as recreation, shipping, groundwater management, hydroelectric water power, water irrigation and the influence of treated wastewater, contributed to the decision to chose this particular site. The main focus was put on an innovative spectrometric sensor which enables the measurement of light attenuation caused by dissolved substances in water. This measurement technology is well known and approved as UV/VIS spectrometry and has been commonly used within laboratories. The developed spectrometric sensor follows the same technological principal but is much smaller in size. The sensor also needed adaptation to on-site outdoor conditions and is characterised by its abilities to continuously measure several relevant parameters at the same time. The integration of the complex sensor into one measuring device demanded a specific periphery, which included methods for data processing and quality control, but also specific aspects relating to device maintenance and data transfer. The integration of these elements is generally referred to as “in-situ spectrometry”. The project aimed to verify the long term application of this innovative measurement technology in practical water management and to demonstrate its potential for similar applications in other areas. A further central element of the project was to give access to the general public to information on the project at the access-point on the Danube Island, showing on-line measurement results. Thus the understanding of the different parameters for determining water quality would be increased and public awareness would be raised with respect to ground water quality and the importance of ground water protection. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE99-ENV-A-000403/management-of-sensible-water-uses-with-the-help-of-innovative-sensor-technology |
Rivers and estuaries', 'Groundwater', 'Urban water' |
| projects-584 |
LIFE93 ENV/B/003574 |
No data |
Development of a computer decision support framework for the assessment of reductions of specific waste water discharges in the river Schelde bassin. |
LIFE |
Environment |
River basin management |
1994-01-01 |
1996-07-31 |
Completed |
No data |
Up to now, the water quality of rivers and other water courses - even cross-border ones- has been managed on a regional or national basis only. The management and treatment of cross-border water courses can only be successful if the entire water course is approached systematically and integrally. This requires a close co-operation between the countries and regions concerned. In the project, a decision support model is developed to manage the water quality of the Belgian and French Scheldt basin. This co-operative project is set up by the three administrations in charge of water quality management for surface waters in their region, namely the VMM (Flemish region), co-ordinator of the project; the Ministry of the Walloon Region (Walloon region); and the Agency of the Water Artois-Picardie (North of France). PEGASE (planning and controlling the water purification), a quality model of an aquatic ecosystem to cover the entire surface water system, was fine-tuned for this purpose. The PEGASE-methodology constitutes a powerful tool to gain insight into the relation between waste water discharges and the water quality of the surface waters receiving them. The acquired knowledge forms the basis for the integrated and scientific treatment in the different regions and countries of the Scheldt basin. Furthermore, it shows what impact measures such as emission control, a better water purification and an environmentally friendly agriculture have on water quality. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE93-ENV-B-003574/development-of-a-computer-decision-support-framework-for-the-assessment-of-reductions-of-specific-waste-water-discharges-in-the-river-schelde-bassin |
Rivers and estuaries', 'Coastal waters' |
| projects-585 |
LIFE11 ENV/FI/000911 |
Urban Oases - Keidas |
Urban Oases: Shaping a Sustainable Future through Environmentally Functional Landscape Features |
LIFE |
Environment |
Urban biodiversity,Spatial planning |
2012-06-01 |
2017-12-31 |
Completed |
€ 003 405 540.00 |
The Urban Oases project aims to study how alternative constructions in urban watersheds can improve the functioning of natural systems and ecosystem services, thereby helping to reduce run-off of polluting substances to receiving waters. It hopes to contribute to reducing contamination, algal blooms and eutrophication in receiving rivers and lakes, and ultimately to improve the water quality of the Baltic Sea. The project will study pilots in order to assess the potential for innovative stormwater wetland types and snow management swale structures as pervious waterways in densely constructed urban environments. The project actions will include the designs of all the prototypes and the monitoring stations. The beneficiary will assess the value of functional landscape elements in providing environmentally beneficial ecosystem services, covering impacts on: water quantity (flood control); water quality; greenhouse gases (sink or source); biodiversity. Expected results Outputs: Improved know-how on developing urban water ecosystem services through functional landscapes; Information about the costs of developing ecosystem services; Guidelines for two scale stormwater wetland types, as well as for structural stormwater and snow management swales for built-up urban areas, including refined soil mixtures, dimensioning and maintenance guidelines. Outcomes: Specific quality improvements in the management of water runoff in urban areas and the impact on ecosystems and receiving waters (the Baltic Sea); Improved biological diversity; Improved recreational value of water bodies; Increased collaboration on the implementation of functional and innovative urban landscape elements within the Baltic Sea region; Results and learning applicable to all urban areas within the EU. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE11-ENV-FI-000911/urban-oases-shaping-a-sustainable-future-through-environmentally-functional-landscape-features |
Urban water', 'Wetlands', 'Snow and ice', 'Coastal waters', 'Rivers and estuaries', 'Lake' |
| projects-586 |
LIFE20 NAT/UK/000277 |
LIFE WADER |
Water And Disturbance Environmental Restoration on the Northumbrian coast |
LIFE |
Nature |
Coastal,Freshwater,Marine,Resilient communities,Invasive species,Marine and Coastal management,Sensitive and protected areas management,Birds,Fish,Plants,River basin management,Water quality improvement |
2021-10-04 |
2026-12-31 |
On going |
€ 006 826 710.00 |
The project aims to improve almost 50,000 ha of freshwater, dune and marine habitats listed in Annex I – from favourable/not secure and unfavourable status towards favourable/secure status – and to restore species to designation levels. This in turn will deliver climate change benefits, increasing the ecosystems’ resilience to extreme weather events and other climate change pressures. The project’s key objectives include: Reverse the decline of freshwater/coastal/marine habitats and species across the project area, using best practice methods to focus and move almost 50,000 ha of Annex 1 SAC habitats and associated SAC species and SPA qualifying features towards favourable/secure condition, delivering: Improved water quality in and around the River Tweed, the Tweed Estuary and key coastal stream entry points into the SAC/SPA sites; Enhanced cross-border working with regulators on water quality and IAS (e.g. Acaena novae-zelandiae and Corella eumoyota); Removal of opportunistic macro-algae smothering intertidal habitats; Reduced disturbance to birds/mammals/sensitive habitats by assessing sites’ carrying capacity and pressure points, including pressure from tourism, and Improved IAS control through better surveillance, detection and removal across dune/freshwater/marine habitats; Demonstrate best practice to businesses, policy makers and land managers. Freshwater/marine eDNA and ecosystem monitoring systems will be developed to better target restoration interventions and involve greater use of citizen science. Increase knowledge/skills at local/national/transnational levels including replicating work at 20 sites; and Increase awareness of the importance and vulnerability of the SAC/SPA sites and designated features, for example, the bird assemblages' interdependence on the wider coastal ecosystem, for 500,000 people per year to provide a longer project legacy. Inspire more sustainable management and care from a wide range of users, volunteers, stakeholders, businesses, regulators, visitors and communities. The project will contribute to implementation of a range of EU policy and legislation, namely: The Habitats Directive as it will improve the condition of nearly 50 000 ha including coastal dunes, estuaries, mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide, intertidal seagrass beds and water courses; The Birds Directive as improved habitats and project actions will help safeguard breeding and wintering populations and mitigate against disturbance/water quality issues associated with the Northumbria Coast/Lindisfarne SPAs; The Water Framework Directive (WFD) as the project area has 33 WFD bodies and will contribute to the Solway Tweed/Northumberland river basin management plans and ecological status of groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems. New tree cover in the SAC will help to reduce rapid runoff/sedimentation, with positive impacts downstream for freshwater Annex II species such as salmon; The Marine Strategy Framework Directiveas the project works on the abundance, distribution and condition of almost 50,000 ha of marine habitat, ensuring it is not impacted by human activities, and working towards ‘good environmental status’. This also links with the EU's integrated coastal zone management; The biodiversity strategy to 2020 (targets 1-5); and The nature restoration plan (part of the biodiversity strategy for 2030) by: restoring rivers to a free-flowing state; reducing Red List species threatened by IAS; reducing chemical/pesticide/nutrient losses from agriculture; and reaching favourable conservation status or a positive trend. By contributing to the 2030 biodiversity strategy, the project is also in line with the European Green Deal. LIFE WADER will also contribute to the delivery of the Bern Convention and the Ramsar Convention. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE20-NAT-UK-000277/water-and-disturbance-environmental-restoration-on-the-northumbrian-coast |
Rivers and estuaries', 'Coastal waters', 'Wetlands' |
| projects-587 |
LIFE95 TCY/CY/0868 |
No data |
Development of an Integrated Monitoring and Early Warning System to sustain the Quality and Multifunctionality of Surface Water |
LIFE |
Third countries |
Pollution control,Water resources protection |
1996-03-01 |
2000-04-30 |
Completed |
No data |
Cyprus depends on rainfall for most of its water needs. Excessive water consumption is putting surface waters under stress which could be reduced, while release of anthropogenically polluted waters is causing negative impacts on ecosystems and human health. Water management is particularly difficult in Cyprus owing to periodic droughts and seasonal increases in population caused by tourism activities, which generally coincides with the island's dry months. In order to manage water quantity and maximise storage, 101 dams have been built on the island. Monitoring of the water in these dams is vital in order to identify and resolve problems. Eight years of monitoring and research activities in the field of water have made it clear to the Cypriot authorities that further integration is needed at all levels if the quality and multi-functionality of surface waters is to be sustained. This would include research, technical assessment, evaluation and management. In addition, the need to bridge the gap between research and policy creation was identified as a priority issue. The project seeks to monitor a wide range of chemical and biological parameters, which will be aggregated into an indexing and evaluation system that is expected to facilitate the integration of results into the policy-making process, and to made it possible to forecast future developments. The objective of the project is to develop an Integrated Monitoring System as a management instrument to sustain the quality and multi-functionality of surface waters in Cyprus' 7 major dams (with their inflow rivers). This should allow an integrated evaluation of surface water quality, as a source of water supply, irrigation and nature conservation. It is also hoped that it will make possible the early identification of pollution trends or emerging problems, through identification of major causes of pollution. Specifically, the project seeks to: · develop Quality Indices to assess pollution loads and their effect on the ecosystem; · develop capabilities for toxicity testing (acute, chronic, genotoxic), for virus control, modelling and risk assessment of chemicals by using quantitative structure activity relationships. The latter will be carried out through the development of: · capacity and infrastructure for toxicity testing, virus control and biomonitoring; · capacity and infrastructure for modelling; · risk assessment methodologies. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE95-TCY-CY-0868/development-of-an-integrated-monitoring-and-early-warning-system-to-sustain-the-quality-and-multifunctionality-of-surface-water |
Water reservoir', 'Rivers and estuaries' |
| projects-588 |
LIFE17 ENV/ES/000252 |
LIFE NEXUS |
Boosting the sustainability of the urban water cycle: energy harvest in water industry using micro-hydropower technology |
LIFE |
Environment |
Renewable energies,Savings |
2018-10-01 |
2024-12-31 |
Completed |
€ 001 129 538.00 |
LIFE NEXUS will show the potential of micro-hydropower systems to recover the untapped energy deriving from abundant pressure (water head) or kinetic energy (water flow) in existing water networks in cities. The project will install micro-hydropower technology (energy generation and energy management) and test it for 15 months at the Porma drinking water treatment plant in the city of León (Spain). It will also develop the first European inventory of micro-hydropower potential in urban water cycles and assess the technical and economic feasibility of using the technology in potential locations. LIFE NEXUS involves some 40 stakeholders from Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK. The project targets the thematic priority for water and is in line with other EU energy- and water-related policies. By engaging a significant number of entities and policymakers it will have an impact on policy implementation and development. Expected results: Generation of 215 MWh/yr of renewable electricity, harvested from the energy currently dissipated by a pressure reduction valve located at the entrance of a drinking water treatment plant; The micro-hydropower installation will meet all of the energy needs of the treatment plant, leading to a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, based on an assumption of 140 t CO2equiv. per year of operation; Reduction of water leakages in the treatment plant by 0.5%, or more than 42 000 m3/yr, as a consequence of improved pressure control at the entrance pipeline; Assessment of the quantitative energy recovery potential along urban water cycles in European cities. The minimum micro-hydropower plant capacity with a payback time of less than 10 years will be determined for the different countries; Successfully demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of micro-hydropower will allow authorities to increase the competitiveness and improve the sustainability of urban water provision. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE17-ENV-ES-000252/boosting-the-sustainability-of-the-urban-water-cycle-energy-harvest-in-water-industry-using-micro-hydropower-technology |
Urban water' |
| projects-589 |
LIFE94 ENV/IT/000177 |
No data |
Development and optimization of an integrated system for drop irrigation using treated waste water. |
LIFE |
Environment |
Agriculture - Forestry,Waste water treatment |
1995-02-01 |
1998-03-01 |
Completed |
No data |
The proposed project involves the study, carrying out, experimentation and starting up of drop irrigation techniques using ground water and refluent waters from an organic water purifier. The project can be divided into three main parts: 1. utilization of refluent waters from an organic purifier; 2. cultivation of an extensive area of level ground, near the coast, which is now uncultivated; 3. setting up of a monitoring system above and below ground level so as to assess the actual water requirement for the cultivation and to control the conditions of the underground water in various places. The refluent water is mainly produced in July and August when more water is required for cultivation. A monitoring system will be set up to control the main agrometeorological parameters: height of water-bearing stratum, infiltration, if any, of salt water; the presence, if any, of chemical pollutants, etc. The data will be transferred via radio to a centre in order to be collected and processed in real time. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE94-ENV-IT-000177/development-and-optimization-of-an-integrated-system-for-drop-irrigation-using-treated-waste-water |
Groundwater', 'Urban water', 'Coastal waters' |
| projects-590 |
LIFE23-IPE-EE-LIFE-SIP-WET-EST/101147477 |
LIFE23-IPE-EE-LIFE SIP WET-EST |
Enabling collaborative efforts for systemic change in Estonian River Basin Management |
LIFE |
Integrated Projects For Environment |
No data |
2025-01-01 |
2033-12-31 |
On going |
€ 029 871 937.00 |
LIFE SIP for WATER paves the way for the full implementation of the Western-Estonian River Basin Management Plan (WE RBMP) for 2022-2027, upscaling the implementation of water framework directive in the largest of three river basins of Estonia. The overall objective of the WE RBMP is to protect and improve the ecological status of surface waters and groundwaters, improve sustainable water use and support mitigation of drought and flood hazards. Aligning with the RBMP objectives, the current project proposes solutions to reinvent both the river basin governance system as well as boost uptake of novel methods and decision support solutions for improved river basin management. Such novel methods, holistic decision support systems and collaborative management efforts are mostly required to optimize the routine river basin management related challenges all over Estonia. Beyond upscaling the governance, concrete actions are foreseen to validate novel solutions proven successful in water management in other EU countries, but until now not tested in Estonia. Such solutions will be implemented in the focus areas most relevant for the WE RB management, which are water smart rural policy, catchment scale ecosystem restoration and pollutant control. The project will be transforming governance, empowering best practice implementation and fostering awareness. Ten interconnected work-packages are planned that allow to solve a significant number of practical challenges. The WE RBMP plan includes 163 different measures, of which 105 measures will be (partly) implemented in LIFE SIP for WATER. At the end of the project, we have planned to implement 62% of planned WE groundwater actions and 25% of WE surface water actions. Also, 62% of crossbasin activities will be conducted. Project steps up the existing routines and aligns different complementary funding to achieve this. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE23-IPE-EE-LIFE-SIP-WET-EST-101147477/enabling-collaborative-efforts-for-systemic-change-in-estonian-river-basin-management |
Rivers and estuaries', 'Groundwater' |
