H2OforAll: Innovative tools and technologies to protect and treat drinking water from disinfection by products
Water purification and disinfection are crucial processes in providing safe water to citizens, but when disinfectants like chlorine interact with natural organic materials in water, this results in disinfection by-products (DBPs) such as chlorinated and bromated compounds. If people consume these, they can have serious effects on the liver and nervous system, and they also cause environmental damage, even at low levels. In addition, the full effects of DBPs are not yet fully understood.
In order to address this situation, the H2OforAll project will develop fast, cost-effective and accurate DBP sensor monitoring devices, and model the spread and fate of these contaminants through drinking water distribution systems. It will study DBP toxicity and environmental impact, and propose measures to safeguard the drinking water chain. Furthermore, the project will develop innovative water treatment methods to remove DBPs or prevent their formation during water disinfection. H2OforAll will also produce a central knowledge base comprising reliable data on the occurrence of DBPs in Europe and their effects.
The H2OforAll project has a three year duration and aims to:
- Assess the main sources and outcomes of DBPs through the development of fast, cost-effective and accurate, sensor monitoring devices, and by modelling their spread through drinking water distribution systems
- Study and measure the toxicity and environmental impact of DBPs in order to propose viable measures to protect drinking water chains
- Develop breakthrough water treatments, paying attention to life cycle analysis, costs and risk, to remove DBPs or avoid their formation during water disinfection processes
- Create a central knowledge base with reliable data on the occurrence of DBPs in Europe and their effects
- Contribute to increased awareness by society and governmental organisations of these drinking water contaminants, in order to contribute to the generation new policy responses and guidance
Partners: Universidade de Coimbra, DHVMED Ltd, Universitaet Ulm, Iris Technology Solutions, Sociedad Limitada, Cyens Centre of Excellence, University of Haifa, Uniwersytet Gdanski, Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan, Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovacao, Consultadoria Empresarial e Fomento da Inovacao SA, Universiteit Twente, Adventech – Advanced Environmental Technologies IDA, Water Europe, Atlantium Technologies Ltd, IVL Svenska Miljoeinstitutet AB, AC – Aguas de Coimbra EM, Stichting Wetsus – European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, University of Leeds and MatIC.
H2OForALL has received funding under the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101081963, with the UK partners funded by UK Research and Innovation under the Horizon Europe Guarantee.