The network
The Danube River Basin is the second largest in Europe, flowing through 19 countries, making it the most international river basin in the World.
The basin is home to 79 million people, supporting diverse cultures and economic activities such as agriculture, industry, transportation, and hydropower generation.
Pilot riverĀ cleanup activities will be organised in downstreamĀ countries, inĀ the Sava BasinĀ to spread the successful approach of river cleanup actions andĀ prevention efforts in upstreamĀ countries of the Danube Basin.
Project Objectives
No.1
Cost-effective quantification of microplastic contamination and
macroplastic accumulations at HPPs
No.2
Targeting and managing temporarily halted riverine litter accumulations
No.3
Empowering human resources to fight against water pollution in the
Danube River Basin
To improve a system we need to understand it first
Addressing plastic pollution in our rivers is a challenge that no single organization or individual can solve alone.
Water engineering structures, such as dams, reservoirs, and hydropower plants, serve multifaceted roles in managing water resources.
Among their responsibilities is the mitigation of plastic pollution, which presents a pressing environmental challenge.
The capacity of these structures to retain plastics directly influences the health of aquatic ecosystems and underscores the importance of effective waste management strategies.
Collecting Data
Engaging with professionals who have experience and access to statistical data on river plastic pollution is crucial for accurate and actionable assessments. These representatives bring valuable insights into pollution patterns, waste sources, and regional challenges, offering context that raw data alone cannot provide.
Artificial lakes (Dams and Reservoirs)
In Romania, there are more than 3,450 artificial lakes (more than 2,000 are reservoirs), their surface being approximately 2,620 kmĀ², representing approximately 1.1% of the total surface of the country. Many of these are used for hydroelectric power, water supply, irrigation, and flood control.
Hydroelectric Power Plants
Romania operates around 260 hydroelectric power plants, varying in size from large installations like the Iron Gates to small micro-hydropower plants.
Irrigation Systems
The country has an extensive network of irrigation systems, although many are underutilized or in need of modernization. The country has tens of thousands of kilometers of irrigation channels and infrastructure.
Flood Protection Systems
Thousands of kilometers of dikes, levees, and other flood protection structures, especially along the Danube River and its tributaries.
Water Treatment Facilities:
There are hundreds of water treatment plants across Romania, responsible for providing clean drinking water and treating wastewater before it is returned to the environment.
Following the waste and assessing the waste retention capacity of water engineering structures
The flow of rivers continuously transports waste, making it difficult to monitor accumulations at fixed locations. Variability in river conditions, such as seasonal changes, rainfall, and human activity, further complicates measurements.
Moreover plastic waste often fragments into microplastics, which are harder to detect and require specialized tools for sampling and analysis. The presence of hidden waste, like debris trapped underwater or buried in sediment, adds another layer of complexity.
Incorporating advanced technologies and tools is critical for accurately tracking waste and evaluating the retention capacity of water engineering structures. These innovations help identify waste accumulation patterns, measure efficiency, and optimize management strategies.
Implementation
Since the rivers are transporting waste across a large area, to make a difference and tackle the problem, it’s not enough to develop new tools and techniques. We also need to use and promote them at as many places as possible.
It’s about all of us
The pollution is an issue everywhere, but sometimes we are just passive observers of it.
Involving citizens in cleaning activities is a powerful strategy for addressing river pollution while fostering environmental awareness and community engagement.
Moreover, citizen-led cleanups can complement scientific and governmental efforts by providing valuable localized data on waste types, volumes, and sources.
New approaches
By physically removing visible waste, citizens witness the scale of pollution and develop a shared responsibility for protecting local waterways.
With the implementation of novel methods, which attract attention, people can gain a unique perspective on the challenges of aquatic pollution, reinforcing their understanding of its impact and inspiring behavioral change toward sustainability.
Power of teamwork
By collaborating and pooling our expertise, we can develop practical solutions to reduce pollution and safeguard the health of our rivers. Small, coordinated actions today can create meaningful progress toward cleaner waterways and a more sustainable future.
