Stronger cooperation for clean waters

The Kompetenzzentrum Spurenstoffe Baden-Württemberg (KomS) and the Federal Centre for Micropollutants (SZB) have agreed on a close cooperation to more effectively reduce the input of micropollutants into the environment. The two institutions are strengthening their existing collaboration with the aim of using resources more efficiently and jointly advancing sustainable strategies for the elimination of micropollutants. “Only together can we overcome the challenges of protecting our waters,” emphasize representatives of both institutions.

Micropollutants are chemical residues that enter our waters in very low concentrations - often in the nano or microgram range per liter. These include pharmaceuticals, pesticides, industrial chemicals, X-ray contrast agents and ingredients from household and personal care products. Although they only occur in very small quantities, they can have a significant impact on aquatic organisms and the ecological quality of our watercourses and lakes, as well as indirectly on humans. Many of these substances cannot be completely removed with conventional wastewater treatment plants - which is why reducing the input and further removing them from wastewater is a key task for the future.

The German Center for Micropollutants acts as a nationwide platform for the coordination of measures to reduce micropollutants. It prioritizes relevant substances, establishes environmental quality standards, and brings together key stakeholders from administration, science, and industry through so-called "round tables". It also coordinates the committee office responsible for assessing the relevance of micropollutants and develops overarching strategies for advanced wastewater treatment and material flow analysis.

Prof. Adolf Eisenträger, Head of the German Center for Micropollutants, sees the close cooperation with KomS as an important step towards greater efficiency: “Our goal is a coordinated, effective approach to reducing micropollutants. The collaboration with KomS opens up new opportunities to dovetail scientifically sound measures with concrete implementation in the federal states - a real benefit for water protection.”

The Kompetenzzentrum Spurenstoffe Baden-Württemberg (KomS) is an association of the University of Stuttgart, Biberach University of Applied Sciences and the DWA Baden-Württemberg State Association.

For over ten years, KomS has served as the central point of contact in Baden-Württemberg for connecting science, authorities, industry, and especially wastewater treatment plant operators, while promoting the practical implementation and advancement of technical solutions for the elimination of micropollutants. The facility is located at the University of Stuttgart in the department of Prof. Patrick Bräutigam.

Environmental chemist Patrick Bräutigam highlights the significance of this partnership: “Our collaboration with the German Center for Micropollutants allows us to translate scientific findings into practical applications even more effectively. Together, we are building a strong foundation of knowledge for sustainable technical solutions that make a tangible contribution to protecting our water resources."

Vera Kohlgrüber, Head of KomS, also emphasizes the advantages of the closer collaboration: “Practical relevance is our main focus. This in-depth cooperation allows us to closely link our technical findings with strategic issues at federal level. This benefits not only the operators of wastewater treatment plants, but ultimately also the environment and society."

The aim of the intensive cooperation is to regularly exchange the latest findings from research work, to utilize synergies and to coordinate them with the experience gained from operational findings. The aim is to develop joint, scientifically sound and practical strategies for reducing micropollutants.

To ensure ongoing exchange, quarterly meetings between the participating institutions are planned in the future. In this way, new developments will be quickly incorporated into existing processes and implemented nationwide.

Boris Diehm of the DWA Baden-Württemberg regional association commented: 'I’m very pleased that the cooperation agreement has been finalized. This close cooperation enables us to take a holistic approach from the introduction of substances to the market, to their technical reduction in wastewater treatment plants, and ultimately to their impact on our water bodies. An important step towards protecting our rivers and lakes”.

With this close cooperation, the SZB and KomS are sending out a clear signal for the coordinated, sustainable handling of micropollutants substances and are thus making an important contribution to safeguarding water quality for future generations.