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
0100200300400500600700800900
1000
No
. o
f P
ap
ers
Citing Years
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/