Supporting policies for cleaner and safer water

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Ensuring the long-term protection of water resources requires not only innovative technologies but also effective policies that can respond to emerging challenges. Through its policy activities, NIAGARA aims to contribute to strengthening the regulatory and governance frameworks needed to safeguard drinking water quality and support the transition towards a zero-pollution future.

The project promotes evidence-based policymaking by analysing existing frameworks, identifying opportunities to address emerging risks and providing recommendations to facilitate the uptake of innovative solutions. In doing so, NIAGARA contributes to key European objectives, including the European Green Deal and the Zero Pollution Action Plan.

Recognising that water challenges require coordinated action, NIAGARA also collaborates with the ZeroPollution4Water (ZP4W) Cluster. By joining forces with related projects, the consortium contributes to a common vision for protecting groundwater and drinking water resources, fostering knowledge exchange and supporting the development of policies that enhance the resilience and sustainability of Europe's water systems.

In this section, you will find the policy recommendations developed by the NIAGARA consortium and jointly with the ZP4W Cluster

Policy Recommendations for Addressing Emerging Pollutants in Drinking Water

The NIAGARA Policy Brief builds on an extensive analysis of the European regulatory framework governing contaminants of emerging concern targeted within the project. In total, 27 legislative and regulatory texts relevant to NIAGARA's scope were examined to assess their implications for the development and deployment of innovative water treatment and monitoring solutions.

Based on this analysis, the policy brief identifies opportunities to strengthen monitoring mechanisms, improve coordination between regulatory instruments and support the uptake of advanced technologies for drinking water quality management.

 

Download and read the NIAGARA Policy Brief to explore the recommendations developed.

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Reinforcing EU Groundwater Policy For Emerging Risks

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The Ground Water Directive’s (GWD) (2006/118/EC) establishes the EU framework to protect groundwater from pollution and deterioration, reverse upward pollution trends, and support the achievement of “good status” under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). As a “daughter directive” of the WFD, the GWD operates in conjunction with the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (EQSD), ensuring coordinated monitoring and action across connected groundwater, surface waters, and floodplains.

This policy brief makes recommendations to strengthen the protection of groundwater resources and reinforce the GWD implementation. It is based on the findings of the ZP4W cluster.

Download and read the ZP4W Cluster policy recommendations here.