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Protecting Europe’s water resources

EURAMET projects support the monitoring of harmful chemicals to help protect water health and aquatic biodiversity throughout Europe

On 22 March 2021, World Water Day aims to raise awareness of the global water crisis. One of the UN’s key sustainable development goals is to provide water and sanitation for all by 2030. This year, the day stands as a reminder of the complex value of water - for households, health, education, and the economy – and the UN aims to emphasise to global leaders the unparalleled importance of this finite, irreplaceable resource.

One way that the EU is working to protect water ecosystems and citizens is through the monitoring of water pollution. In particular, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability – published in October 2020 and part of the EU Green Deal – will help to boost innovation for safer and sustainable chemicals, limiting the use of harmful chemicals in consumer products unless strictly essential.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been found to be especially harmful for water biodiversity and even human fertility. To support Community action on water policy in the EU, one of EURAMET’s EMPIR projects - ‘Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the Water Framework Directive’ (EDC-WFD, 18NRM01) - has been developing new, reliable monitoring methods for measuring EDCs in water via chemical analysis.

Project outcomes will help to ensure compliance with the Water Framework Directive and future EU Green Deal legislation; helping to better protect human health and aquatic environments across Europe.

This EMPIR project is co-funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States.

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