Between 3-5 July 2024, the INSPIRE project team, funded by the EU Horizon Europe Programme, held a series of important meetings and visits, targeting various aspects of water management and the implementation of innovative technologies in this sector. These activities were essential for advancing the project and establishing clear directions for development in the near future.
Background
The INSPIRE project aims to implement advanced technologies for water monitoring and treatment, with a focus on reducing litter, including plastics, and improving the quality of aquatic ecosystems. Romania, through the Romanian Water Association (ARA), is a key partner in this project, contributing to the testing and implementation of technologies on the Danube and Arges rivers.
The aim is to develop sustainable solutions that can be replicated in other regions of Europe.
July 3, 2024: Visit to the raw water pumping station in Dragomirești
The first day was dedicated to the visit to the raw water pumping station in Dragomirești, an important station that serves the thermo energy company ELCEN, especially plants CET Sud and CET Progresul. This visit was attended by technical representatives of ELCEN, together with two representatives of the Fish Flow company (Netherlands), respectively Johan Beentjes and Gerard Manshanden.
The Dragomirești pumping station plays an essential role in providing the raw water necessary for the operation of the CET Sud and CET Progresul thermoelectric plants. Raw water is extracted from natural sources and requires careful filtration to prevent damage to equipment and ensure an efficient production process. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to better understand the existing infrastructure and the challenges encountered in raw water filtration.
The visit ended with a meeting with the ELCEN company representatives, where three implementation scenarios for the project were defined. The discussions were focused on identifying the most effective
technical solutions to improve the raw water filtration capacity. In the next period, the necessary studies will be developed to achieve an optimal technical solution, which will ensure a high filtration capacity of raw water, essential for the efficient functioning of the thermoelectric plants.
July 4, 2024: Visit to the wastewater treatment plant in Fetești – RAJA Constanta
The 4th of July was dedicated to visiting the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Fetești, owned by the RAJA Constanta company. The purpose of this visit was to identify the sites where two technologies will be installed and tested to prevent microplastics release with the treated waters. This visit was attended by representatives of RAJA Constanta, including Angela Pană, Nety Dumitrache and Mihai Vasilescu. The international experts present were Stephan Wagner and Luca Muth (Fresenius Institute, Germany, Dimitris and Yanis Deligiannakis (DELVEC), Nikos Katsafados (WnW), and George Triantaphyllidis (MINDS Institute, Greece), the scientific coordinator of the INSPIRE team for ’Prevention, retention, collection and elimination of plastic litter’.
The WWTP in Fetești is one of the most important facilities of this type in the region, treating the wastewater before it is discharged into the Danube, on the Borcea arm. During the visit, the optimal locations for testing microplastic retention technologies were discussed, with the goal of reducing the major environmental problem.
The impact of microplastics and the need for advanced technologies
Microplastics are very small plastic particles (less than 5 mm) that end up in the aquatic environment through various sources, including wastewater. They represent a risk to aquatic fauna and flora, being difficult to remove by traditional water treatment methods. The technologies proposed by the INSPIRE project aim to develop innovative solutions for capturing and collecting these particles before the discharge of treated water into rivers and other water bodies.
Challenges and solutions identified
During the visits and meetings held, a number of major challenges and potential solutions for improving water management in Romania were identified:
- Technological challenges: One of the biggest challenges will be capturing and retaining microplastics. Traditional water treatment technologies are not effective enough in removing these small particles, which can have a devastating impact on the aquatic environment. The proposed solutions will include the use of advanced filters and innovative separation methods, developed within the INSPIRE project. These technologies will be tested in the wastewater treatment plant in Fetești and ELCEN thermo power plants water intake facilities.
- Challenges related to the infrastructure of water supply and wastewater treatment systems: the existing infrastructure in pumping and water treatment plants will require upgrades to meet current water quality requirements. The pumping station in Dragomirești, for example, will need significant improvements to ensure efficient filtration of raw water. The implementation scenarios discussed with the ELCEN board will include the modernization of equipment and the adoption of advanced technical solutions to optimize the filtration process.
- Environmental and climate change adaptation challenges: Climate change and weather variations will have a direct impact on water quality. The meteorological data collected from National Meteorological Authority (ANMH) will be essential to understand these variations and to adapt water management strategies. The INSPIRE project will aim to develop resilient solutions effective even in significant climate change.
Project planning and upcoming events
The week of July 3-5, 2024, was of great importance for the INSPIRE project, marking significant progress towards the implementation of innovative solutions for water management and plastic pollution reduction. The visits and meetings will strengthen international collaborations and set clear directions for the future.
As the INSPIRE project progresses, the team will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented technologies, ensuring that they meet the objectives of reducing pollution and protecting aquatic ecosystems. In the coming months, efforts will be focused on the following aspects:
- Testing and evaluation of the technologies proposed in the case study targeting Romania
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Organization of the international conference – INSPIRE 2026
At the end of the visit, the project calendar for the next 24 months was established. A notable aspect is the initiation of discussions for the organization of an international scientific conference in Bucharest, at the end of the project, respectively in spring 2026. The Romanian Association (ARA) will have full responsibility for organizing this event.
The international conference will be a platform for presenting the results obtained from the testing of 20 innovative technologies within the project. The research is currently being carried out on the most important hydrographic basins, with Romania having the case study focused on the Danube and the Arges Rivers. The event will bring together experts in water management, researchers and policymakers, providing a valuable opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
The INSPIRE project represents an important step towards a more efficient and sustainable management of water resources, not only in Romania, but also throughout Europe. Through close collaboration between international partners and the use of innovative technologies, INSPIRE aims to bring about significant positive changes in the field of water treatment and protection. The ARA team, together with its partners, will continue to work with dedication to make these goals a reality, thus contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future for all communities dependent on water resources.
This conclusion underlines the importance of continuous and collaborative efforts within the INSPIRE project, highlighting the commitment of the ARA team and its partners in achieving the project’s objectives. The progress made in the week of July 3-5, 2024 is just the beginning of a long but promising road to improving water quality and protecting the environment.
Aurelian Danu
Romanian Water Association (ARA)
