Working Packages

WP1 - Spread and transmission of A&ARB&ARG under wastewater reuse scenarios

Lead Beneficiary: UCP (Dr. Celia Manaia)

Duration: 3-45 months

Objectives:

  • understand the mechanisms related to the fate/evolution of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (A&ARB&ARG) transmission from treated wastewater to soil, crops, water resources;

  • determine appropriate conditions for controlling their spread;
  • assess the risks of ARB&ARG transmission to humans through the consumption of raw vegetables.

WP2 - Evaluation of A&ARB&ARG effects and hazard identification

Lead Beneficiary: KWR (Dr. Luc Hornstra)

Duration: 3-45 months

Objectives:

  • develop novel tools for the detection of antibiotic resistance (AR) in wastewater, water, soil and crops;

  • apply innovative batteries of advanced tests for the evaluation of effects of antibiotics, their metabolites and transformation products (TPs) in treated wastewater.

WP3 - Innovative technological solutions for the removal of A&ARB&ARG

Lead Beneficiary: Adventech (Mr. Sergio Silva)

Duration: 4-45 months

Objectives:

  • evaluate the efficiency of innovative standalone/integrated technologies for minimizing antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (A&ARB&ARG);

  • evaluate the effect of innovative disinfection on antibiotic resistance (AR) transfer;

  • develop and test new materials for ceramic membranes and fixed catalysts;

  • design new photocatalytic reactor;

  • determine the market penetration potential of the new technology to be developed.

WP4 - A&ARB&ARG fate prediction through modelling approaches

Lead Beneficiary: TUD (Prof. Thomas Berendonk)

Duration: 3-45 months

Objectives:

  • develop models to describe/predict the fate of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (A&ARB&ARG) from sludge to treated wastewater to soil, ground/surface water, and crops allowing the development of a scientific base for risk assessment in relation to specific environmental parameters for A&ARB&ARG transmission and enrichment;

  • identify key parameters and processes necessary for mathematical modelling to describe A&ARB&ARG fate in sludge, water, soil, crops;

  • develop harmonization and equivalence among different modelling approaches and a link to the common databank in WP5.

WP5 - Data management, prioritization and policy guidelines development

Lead Beneficiary: EI (Dr. Jaroslav Slobodnik)

Duration: 3-45 months

Objectives:

To integrate all empirical data in a web-based database for:
  • automated prioritization of chemical/biological risk factors;

  • use of data in models for large-scale projections;

  • use of data for policy development;

  • derivation of science-based emission limits values (ELVs) for antibiotics, transformation products (TPs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARB&ARG) in wastewater.

WP6 - Training

Lead Beneficiary: Nireas-IWRC, UCY (Dr. Despo Fatta-Kassinos)

Duration: 4-48 months

Objectives:

  • fundamental and applied scientific knowledge, hands-on experience on state-of-the-art techniques/technologies/systems;

  • knowledge on European policies on water/wastewater;

  • exposure to a variety of research fields and groups, and sectors i.e. academia, private sector, industrial sector, policy makers;

  • complimentary skills;

  • experiences with various cultures/countries;

  • opportunities for the Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) to convey their research outside the labs at scientific and general public audiences.

WP7 - Management

Lead Beneficiary: Nireas-IWRC, UCY (Dr. Despo Fatta-Kassinos)

Duration: 1-48 months

Objectives:

  • project activities coordination;

  • development of Consortium Agreement;

  • progress monitoring and evaluation of individual projects;

  • quality control and risk management;

  • financial management;

  • organization of meetings;

  • delivery of progress reports/deliverables;

  • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) management.

WP8 - Communication and Dissemination

Lead Beneficiary: Nireas-IWRC, UCY (Dr. Despo Fatta-Kassinos)

Duration: 1-48 months

Objectives:

  • dissemination of research results to key stakeholders; policy makers, end-users, wastewater treatment plant operators/managers, scientific community and the general public;

  • increasing environmental awareness and participation of the general public;

  • promoting internal and external networking;

  • publication of research results;

  • outreach activities;

  • exploitation of results.