The key note speakers Dr Foon Yin Lai (Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences) and Associate Professor Carl-Fredrik Flach (Gothenburg University) presented two different perspectives of the contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) with a common message: we are able to manage contamintants that are known in our waters, but certain CECs have been detected at “effect-triggering” concentrations in surface and gound water bodies, and they are causing negative effects for example on antibiotic resistance.
During the panel discussion actions needed were highlighted by Dr Avelino Conzalez Gonzalez (European Commission), Dr Alexander Keucken (Vatten & Miljö i Väst AB), Dr Kia Salin (Swedish Medical Products Agency) together with the key note speakers and the audience. Policy regulations, strategic approaches for research as well as implementation of new technologies in wastewater treatment were some of the actions discussed.
To face the challenge of emerging pollutants in a comprehensive way and to provide multidisciplinary solutions for a safe and healthy aquatic environment, the three JPIs on Water, Oceans and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) are cooperating to address the issue. In collaboration with the European Commission an ERA-NET Cofund will be launched in early 2020 which will develop a common strategy dealing with emerging pollutants, pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in the whole water cycle. The Cofund plans to announce a joint transnational call for research proposals in early 2020.
The World Water Week is an annual conference organised by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). The conference focuses on new thinking and positive action toward water-related challenges and their impact on the world’s environment, health, climate, economic and poverty reduction. This showcase is supported by the Swedish National Research Programme on Antibiotic Resistance and the Swedish Research Council Formas.