Water Research Workshop

Dr. Brian Donlon

EPA Research Programme

SAS Radisson Dublin June 30th 2012

Talk Content

EPA Research Programme

Focus on Water Pillar

National/International context

Research Call 2013

Concluding Remarks

EPA Water Research

Objective Focus on significant fundamental knowledge gaps, measures to support relevant water policy and the development of new technologies to protect our water environment, contributing to ensuring excellent water quality in Ireland

Between 2007-2012 EPA have funded 90 projects with an

€18m commitment (Desk studies, scholarships .. multi-annual-partner awards)

In 2010 National Co-ordination Group Established (with EI)

International Linkages (EA/SEPA) & Water JPI

Key Achievements

Informs policy and assists in meeting targets • Provides policy support to WFD & MSFD

• Measures for reducing Phosphorus and Nitrogen input to water

Developing practical applications

• Pilot Scale Wastewater Centre (NUIG)

• Containment of water borne disease outbreak (Galway 2007, OECD 2009)

• Guidance for Single house wastewater treatment

Capacity Development • Over 70 EPA Research Reports

• 200 researchers since 2007 (~ 70 Full-time PhD, post-Doc)

Practical Application

Guidance for Single house wastewater treatment

Problem Identified Research Conducted Guidance Issued

Water today (EPA 2012)

Some Improvements in water quality

71% of river channel is at good or high status,

50% reduction in E.coli in public drinking water in two years.

Improvement in Bathing Water Quality

Many pressures remain

Number of high quality sites halved in the last 21 years from almost 30% in the 1987-1990 period to less than 17% in 2007-2009.

Nutrient enrichment principal cause of water pollution in Ireland (agricultural run-off and discharges from municipal waste water treatment plants)

Water Challenges (EPA 2012)

The three challenges for water quality management are…

1. Eliminating pollution associated with point sources (e.g. wastewater

treatment plants);

2. Tackling diffuse pollution (e.g. pollution from farming and septic tanks); and

3. Using the full range of legislative measures to achieve better water quality.

Water Research – Challenges & Rationale

International Conventions, ECJ cases,

Directives

National Context (Forfas Priority areas,

Harvest 2020)

International Context (Horizon 2020, 7th

EAP, EU Blueprint etc)

Stakeholders input

EPA Reports, SOE, Strategy

Key

Challenges

Policy Rationales/Input

Point Source

Pollution

Diffuse

Pollution

Legislative

measures to

achieve better

water quality

On-Going Water Research Activities

Approx 70 on-going projects

Support WFD and Marine Strategy FD

ECJ Case on Water Quality

Specific Projects:

Pollutant Pathways, Sediments, Forestry

Emerging pollutants

Technologies for treatment/monitoring

Participate in Water JPI funding scheme

National Funding Landscape

National Water Research

Coordination /Consultation

Group (set up in 2010)

Initiative What is it?

What are its aims?

Horizon 2020 main RDI funding programme in Europe, using a seven year programming period (2014-2020).

It aims to build a European economy based on knowledge and innovation whilst contributing to

sustainable development.

It combines previous efforts: the Framework Programme + CIP + EIT.

Structural

Funds

European policy for improving the economic well-being of regions. These funds aim at removing

economic, social and territorial disparities across the EU whilst making the EU more competitive (great

support to RDI activities).

COST Intergovernmental organization supporting networking and mobility actions.

ERA-NET Instrument of FP6, FP7 and Horizon 2020 aimed at fostering the cooperation and coordination of

research activities within a specific research domain. Network activities are carried out at the national

(and, if applicable, regional) level (ERA-NET) or through the mutual opening of national and regional

research programmes (ERA-NET+).

Article 185 European initiatives aimed at fostering cooperation and coordination within a specific domain, based on

co-decision and on the existence of a previous formal funding commitment by partner countries.

Currently there is no Article 185 related to the Water JPI domain but an Article 185 for the Mediterranean

is under preparation.

EIP on Water The EIP is based on private-public participation aiming at stimulating creative and innovative solutions to

tackle water challenges. It is based on bringing together actors from RDI, water users and water utilities.

Acqueau Acqueau is the Eureka Cluster for Water. It funds innovation projects in Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

European Inst.

of Technology

Established by the European Commission in 2008 to boost innovation. It implements of KICs (knowledge

innovation communities), bringing together research, industry and education. There is no specific KIC on

Water, though the Climate-KIC shows relevant interests on Water.

EPA Research– 2013 Water Call

€ 1.5m available budget.

3 Research Fellowships and 11 Project-based awards

Support for WFD compliance (lakes, estuaries,river),

Septic tanks, Lead pipes, Water Quality Incident

Pollution Mass-balance model

Leachate treatment

Natural Organic Matter

Contact STRIVE TEAM for Further Details (01-2680100)

Indicative Timeframe : Water Research Call 2013

11th June 2013 Announcement of funding opportunity via national newspapers, EPA

website and College Research Officers, HEANET & ESAI list server.

28 June 2013 – Water Call Workshop

23rd July 2013 at 5pm Deadline for submission of applications for authorisation by

Research Offices (Managing directors for companies)

30th July 2013 at 5pm Organisation Approval Deadline for authorisation by Research

Offices.

August 2013 Evaluation Process

September 2013 Negotiation

October/November 2013 Grant Award of Successful Projects

Irish Research Community

1. Many funding sources (>€8m p.a. ) (JPI, 2011)

2. 5-fold increase in publications since 1995

3. 36% above world average impact on “water quality publications” (Forfas, 2012)

4. Strong vibrant research and innovation community well placed to tackle the grand Water challenges

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Further Reading

FP7 Catalogue of expertise http://erc.epa.ie/fp7catalogue/

EPA SAFER Projects Database http://erc.epa.ie/smartsimple/

Over 70 research reports since 2001 http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/water/