| projects-591 |
LIFE16 ENV/DE/000550 |
LIFE SmartWater |
Demonstration of smart actuators to reduce water losses and energy consumption in water supply infrastructures in Europe |
LIFE |
Environment |
Water management and supply,Water scarcity and drought |
2017-07-01 |
2022-09-30 |
Completed |
€ 000 917 515.00 |
LIFE SmartWater aimed to establish a predictive leakage control system based on the use of innovative valve actuators. This system was installed in the water distribution network of Gouda in the Netherlands. The project aimed to reduce water losses in the pilot area by 50% and achieve associated energy savings. The project planned the use of wirelessly controlled valve actuators for simple and cost-effective retrofitting of buried valves, requiring no changes to the existing infrastructure. By adding a sensor interface, the actuators were to facilitate the upgrade of the valves to 'smart valves', advancing the implementation of intelligent water management solutions. The specific objectives were: equipping valve actuators with an interface for analysing external sensor data and validate the technical feasibility for wireless remote processing of sensor data; simple and cost-effective retrofitting of buried valves for smart water infrastructure upgrades; wireless remote network monitoring, control and action in the water distribution network of the project partner Oasen; deployment of 20 intelligent valve sensor-actuator units to test leakage control algorithms; reducing production costs by 30% to achieve short amortisation times for the valve actuators; export of knowledge and technology in Hungary and the Netherlands during the project period, and preparation of its replication in several other countries according to a clear transferability plan. The project contributed to successful implementation of relevant European policies such as the Water Framework Directive (regarding water scarcity) and the Drinking Water Directive (tackling efficient monitoring, assessment and enforcement of drinking water quality). It also contributed to the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe, as it has helped to reduce water losses in the supply network. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE16-ENV-DE-000550/demonstration-of-smart-actuators-to-reduce-water-losses-and-energy-consumption-in-water-supply-infrastructures-in-europe |
Urban water' |
| projects-592 |
LIFE22-ENV-PT-LIFE-Fitting/101114188 |
LIFE22-ENV-PT-LIFE Fitting |
Demonstration of an innovative PLAN-DO toolbox for a safer, resource efficient and fit-for-purpose wastewater treatment |
LIFE |
Environment |
Pollutants reduction,Waste water treatment |
2023-07-01 |
2025-06-30 |
Completed |
€ 001 100 494.00 |
The main objective of the LIFE Fitting project is to demonstrate at full-scale the application of a novel solution (PLAN-DO toolbox) for smart discharge-driven operation, monitoring and strategic planning of WWTPs to better cope with climate uncertainty and treated water quality challenges. The project outputs will support water utilities in the selection and prioritisation of strategies and investments in the short, medium and long term towards an enhanced integrated control of regulated contaminants (organic matter, nutrients), pharmaceuticals and antimicrobial resistance, and - where/when direct or indirect reuse is envisaged - pathogen indicators (E. coli as bacteria indicators, coliphages as virus indicators and Clostridium perfringens spores as protozoa indicators). LIFE Fitting will target over 50 pharmaceutical compounds and pathogens, namely E. coli, F-specific coliphages, and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes (ARGs). The PLAN-DO toolbox is based on four pillars, integrating five tools: Monitoring WWTP & receiving water body – MonitorTool; Performance assessment & Forecasting– PASTool and CEC ForecasTool; WWTP impact on receiving water quality & uses – Smart Discharge Tool; (these three pillars constitute the “DO” component) and Strategic planning (the “PLAN” component) – PlanTool. The toolbox will support the development of strategies balancing resource-efficient wastewater treatment with a safer and fit-for-purpose treatment, adjustable to the receiving water uses and quality requirements towards regulated and emerging contaminants, namely, pharmaceutical compounds (PhCs), antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The proposed solution will be developed and demonstrated in three full-scale WWTPs in the north of Portugal, with strong textile and hospital inputs and which discharge into the Selho, Ave or Vizela rivers, with long periods of weak dilution. The toolbox is mainly adapted for water utilities but may also support the activities of environmental protection agencies, water regulators and policy makers. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE22-ENV-PT-LIFE-Fitting-101114188/demonstration-of-an-innovative-plan-do-toolbox-for-a-safer-resource-efficient-and-fit-for-purpose-wastewater-treatment |
Urban water', 'Rivers and estuaries' |
| projects-593 |
LIFE04 ENV/IT/000500 |
CAMI |
Water-bearing characterization with integrated methodologies |
LIFE |
Environment |
River basin management |
2004-12-01 |
2007-05-31 |
Completed |
No data |
The Cami project, based in the Torrate di Chions area of north-east Italy, was designed to support the Water Framework Directive by using a new, integrated approach to assess and manage a water-basin area. It aimed to become a model for transfer to other river basin areas. The project set out to develop and test a method of combining work across a range of scientific disciplines to identify ways to achieve better sustainability of an area’s water resources. This would entail detailed investigation into the characteristics of the hydro-geological district and then an evaluation of the impact of human activity. The project was designed to: 1. Assist planning of water resources for different uses (civil, agricultural, industrial). 2. Provide evaluation methods for the impact of new industrial and civil settlements on water resources. 3. Model ways of quantifying groundwater. 4. Provide data for research into management of water ecosystems. Existing methods were to be combined with innovative approaches. Detailed work on investigating the physical characteristics of the area, for instance through isotopic geochemistry and geophysical techniques, was to be linked with existing data. Alternative considerations would also include assessment of the control of watercourses, control of pollution using continuous or occasional monitoring, and use of a modelling system for improving management of surface and underground water flow. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE04-ENV-IT-000500/water-bearing-characterization-with-integrated-methodologies |
Rivers and estuaries', 'Groundwater', 'Urban water' |
| projects-594 |
LIFE20 ENV/FR/000179 |
LIFE RUBIES |
Real-time pollution-based control of urban drainage and sanitation systems for protection of receiving waters |
LIFE |
Environment |
Water quality improvement,Water resources protection,Waste water treatment |
2021-10-01 |
2025-12-31 |
On going |
€ 003 337 607.00 |
The LIFE RUBIES project aims at developing decision-making tools to limit pollution of receiving water bodies due to stormwater overflows. More precisely, it will test the innovative methodologies developed under the previous LIFE EFFIDRAIN project in real-world situations, in two full-scale pilots in Lille and Madrid, selected to be representative of medium and large European cities. To this end, the project will integrate these methodologies into an existing platform (called AQUADVANCED UD® - AQDV), which is used to monitor real-time data harvested in the sewer, run models and send control rules to the wastewater system. The project team will demonstrate that the integrated pollution-based real-time control methods using the upgraded AQDV platform are effective in reducing pollution due to stormwater overflows and can be widely applied. Socio-economic aspects will also be considered, as they will be essential to disseminate the solutions developed. The project directly contributes to the implementation of EU water policy, especially the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires Member States to limit pollution due to stormwater overflows, and the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). It will also contribute to national policies in France and Spain aiming to minimise water pollution. Indirectly, the project contributes to EU policy objectives on nature conservation and biodiversity, by reducing pressure of aquatic ecosystems, and EU climate change adaptation strategy, by reducing the environmental impacts of heavy-rain events, which are expected to occur more frequently due to climate change. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE20-ENV-FR-000179/real-time-pollution-based-control-of-urban-drainage-and-sanitation-systems-for-protection-of-receiving-waters |
Urban water' |
| projects-595 |
LIFE99 ENV/GR/000590 |
Desalination |
Wastewater Reuse-Guideline development. Pilot artificial recharging of aquifers through direct injection and irrigation, for seawater intrusion control within the framework of integrated and sustainable water management |
LIFE |
Environment |
Waste water treatment,Water resources protection |
1999-11-01 |
2003-02-28 |
Completed |
No data |
The objectives of the project were the determination of guidelines for wastewater reuse in Greece, and the evaluation in real conditions of the most appropriate methods based on pilot scale experiments. A pilot plant was to be implemented at the secondary wastewater treatment plant of Thermi. The existing treatment plant had been designed to service about 12.000 inhabitants and had operated for the last five years. An advanced treatment unit was to be designed, constructed and made operational during the project for the removal of suspended solids, biological, organic and inorganic pollutants from the secondary effluent. The treated effluent, ranging in quality from drinking water to effluent from the secondary treatment plants, was to be used for irrigation and direct injection to the groundwater aquifers, so that the impact on the environment could be monitored. The pilot-project was to be an innovative approach to the replenishment of the groundwater aquifers and the control of salt intrusion. The project's results would be used for the development of a framework for wastewater reuse in Greece supporting the strategy for the sustainable use of natural resources. It was expected that the results could be applied to other EU countries and countries of the Mediterranean region facing similar hydrological problems, and that the techniques could be used for the control of other environmental problems observed in basins, sea and drinking water sources. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE99-ENV-GR-000590/wastewater-reuse-guideline-development-pilot-artificial-recharging-of-aquifers-through-direct-injection-and-irrigation-for-seawater-intrusion-control-within-the-framework-of-integrated-and-sustainable-water-management |
Groundwater', 'Urban water' |
| projects-596 |
LIFE02 ENV/E/000210 |
HAGAR |
Tools of self-management for water irrigable in the overused hydric systems |
LIFE |
Environment |
Water saving |
2002-09-01 |
2005-09-01 |
Completed |
No data |
The project aimed to demonstrate environmental benefits of self-management systems for water-related communities. This would help achieve more rational use of water and favour control in overused hydro-systems in hydro-graphic basin management. Specific objectives included: - Elaborating and initiating an ‘expert irrigation system support’ in pilot fields, to improve cultivation standards, reduce water demands and adjust to real time needs. - Extrapolating results to all cultivation fields in overused aquifers to obtain potential environmental benefits. - Demonstrating the viability of the water demand management system to allow coordination in executing the Framework Directive on Waters and Habitats and facilitate application of Common Agricultural Policy measures. - Training current and new farmers in water system self-control. - Increasing public awareness as to overused aquifers and promoting a new water culture, more rational use and installation of systems to manage water demand. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE02-ENV-E-000210/tools-of-self-management-for-water-irrigable-in-the-overused-hydric-systems |
Groundwater' |
| projects-597 |
LIFE12 ENV/ES/000557 |
LIFE RURAL SUPPLIES |
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR VERY SMALL WATER SUPPLIES |
LIFE |
Environment |
Water management and supply |
2013-07-01 |
2017-06-30 |
Completed |
€ 000 765 122.00 |
The objective of LIFE RURAL SUPPLIES was to strengthen the sustainability of water supplies in scattered rural communities in Galicia (Spain) that lack clean water. It sought to demonstrate that it is possible to provide small communities with a high-quality supply from local groundwater, through the correct implementation of uptake systems, the introduction of effective sanitation, and the adoption of management and control programmes. The project aimed to build supply systems at individual and community levels as well as autonomous sanitation systems. Specifically, it aimed to construct four pilot sustainable water supply facilities: a sustainable private well for a rural house; a community water supply system; a rainwater reclamation facility; and a community water sanitation system. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE12-ENV-ES-000557/sustainable-solutions-for-very-small-water-supplies |
Groundwater', 'Urban water' |
| projects-598 |
LIFE94 ENV/D/000422 |
City ground water monitoring |
Ground water monitoring system of the city of Munich. |
LIFE |
Environment |
Water resources protection |
1994-10-01 |
1998-12-31 |
Completed |
No data |
The aims of the project are the development and the realisation of an innovative and comprehensive monitoring-system for the permanent control of the ground water. This will be used to verify EU guidelines for the protection of ground water and drinking water. It will also serve as a pilot project for the installation of similar monitoring systems in other cities across Europe. The steps for the development, implementing and testing of a comprehensive system for ground water monitoring, consist of: - a network of about 330 - 350 hydro-geological representative ground water measuring-sites, - a multi-stage analytical programme for measuring ground water quality and the detection of possible contamination, - a user-orientated computer program for storing, processing and interpreting the data As a European pilot project, the intention is to demonstrate an ecological, efficient and economical system for permanently monitoring ground water. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE94-ENV-D-000422/ground-water-monitoring-system-of-the-city-of-munich |
Groundwater' |
| projects-599 |
LIFE17 ENV/ES/000396 |
LIFE iBATHWATER |
Advanced urban water management to efficiently ensure bathing water quality |
LIFE |
Environment |
Water quality improvement |
2018-09-01 |
2022-09-30 |
Completed |
€ 002 274 164.00 |
The LIFE iBATHWATER project aimed to demonstrate how better technology and interoperability can reduce pollution levels in water bodies located near urban centres. An open software platform coordinated tasks involved in operating sewage systems to improve wastewater monitoring, treatment and management in cities including Barcelona and Berlin. Its holistic design made it possible to combine information from existing infrastructure with online data on water quality, including measurements from water quality monitoring probes deployed by project partners. This comprehensive insight assisted authorities in implementing the Water Framework Directive and fed into algorithms to support decision makers governing bathing waters. The increased transparency and control offered by project activities reduced the environmental burden and sanitary risks of abrupt pollution events on recreational water bodies, helping to implement the objectives of the Bathing Water Directive. It notably tackled the environmental impact of wastewater spill-over following heavy rain. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE17-ENV-ES-000396/advanced-urban-water-management-to-efficiently-ensure-bathing-water-quality |
Urban water', 'Coastal waters' |
| projects-600 |
LIFE09 ENV/IT/000136 |
PALM |
Pump And Leakage Management |
LIFE |
Environment |
Water management and supply |
2010-09-01 |
2013-08-31 |
Completed |
€ 001 569 190.00 |
The objective of the PALM project was to develop a Decision Support System to allow water companies to identify the optimum balance between reducing water leaks and being economically sustainable. Ultimately, the aim was to enable water companies to reduce water loss by around 50% and the related environmental impacts by up to 60%. The Decision Support System would integrate existing state-of-the-art technology to form what should be the most advanced water-efficiency system. It would use the latest acoustic instruments to locate leaks for repair. Other leakage control measures included applying a calibrated hydraulic model for the optimum configuration of the water system. The project identified valves to be closed and defined the optimum size of the flow meters and pressure-reducing valves. Pumping costs and the potential benefit of optimising the use of the pumps, exploiting low tariff periods and making better use of the available storage capacity would be examined, combined with an assessment of the costs of leakage detection and repair. This information would allow a typical cost-recovery ratio to be calculated. The project would thus provide water companies with the information they need to implement leakage repairs in the most efficient and effective way, and without compromising their economic sustainability. |
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE09-ENV-IT-000136/pump-and-leakage-management |
Urban water' |
