December 9th, 2022

ICPR publishes common assessment system for the 30% reduction target

The programme “Rhine 2040”, which was adopted by the Conference of Rhine Ministers on 13.02.2020, states that the “influx of micropollutants into waters from municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems, industry and commerce as well as agriculture is to be reduced by at least 30% in comparison to the period 2016-2018 – consistent with a longer-term ambition to further decrease pollution throughout the Rhine catchment area.

In order to be able to numerically check the input reduction in influx at regular intervals and, if necessary, to increase the reduction target, the ICPR is tasked with developing a joint evaluation system for the reduction across the three areas.

ICPR Report No 287 published on 6 December defines the elaboration of this assessment system. It also specifies at which sites in the Rhine catchment the assessment is carried out and which substances are to be considered. In addition to many others, RIWA-Rijn also contributed to the now established monitoring and assessment system. RIWA-Rijn has also offered to carry out and report on the monitoring and assessment for the Nieuwegein drinking water intake location.

This report is available in German, French and Dutch and can be downloaded here:

https://www.iksr.org/en/public-relations/documents/archive/technical-reports/reports-and-brochures-individual-presentation/287-reduction-of-micropollutants-in-the-rhine-catchment-area-monitoring-and-evaluation-system