Improved risk assessment for strategic water management to reduce micro-pollutant emissions in the Baltic Sea Region (APRIORA)

Improved risk assessment for strategic water management to reduce micro-pollutant emissions in the Baltic Sea Region (APRIORA)

APRIORA tackles the need for a risk-based prioritization of quaternary treatment at wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) to mitigate emission of micro-pollutants with focus on active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Since WWTPs are the main emission pathway to the environment and regional environmental protection authorities (EPAs) in charge have to prioritize risks and propose cost-effective mitigation measures for future investments in cooperation with WWTP operators. However, both target groups lack sufficient information, capacities and tools to do so. APRIORA addresses information gaps by providing a risk assessment (RA) capacity program (1) combining effective monitoring, modelling and multi-criterial RA, an (2) open-source GIS environment, and (3) a capacity building programme to apply (1) + (2) in everyday working practices. Along with BSR-wide transfer + training activities, APRIORA contributes to an efficient strategic water management that improves the state of BSR waters.

LHEI tasks

Coordination of risk assessment (environmental, antimicrobial, and human health) and environmental risk assessment regarding the pollution of surface waters by active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Participation in a pilot study in Latvia on API pollution, its modeling with the aim of identifying the most polluted areas. Knowledge transfer to interested target groups.

Project partners

• University of Rostock (lead partner)
• Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
• German Environment Agency UBA
• Gdańsk University of Technology (GUT)
• Kristianstad University (HKR)
• Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC)
• LHEI