In freezing weather, ice causes many a traveller to come unstuck. But as experimental physicist Robin Ras explains, getting to grips with what makes ice so slippery isn’t easy. Whether you’re gliding serenely across an ice rink, or awkwardly down a footpath, the frictionless surface offered by ice can often be surprising. What makes it […]
Zero pollution: Improved quality and access to drinking water
On 12th January new requirements on the quality of and access to drinking water are becoming the norm across the European Union, with the revised Drinking Water Directive now transposed into national legislation. The new rules will ensure one of the highest standards in the world for drinking water, in line with the zero pollution ambition […]
Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the water infrastructure sector over alleged bid-rigging
The European Commission is conducting unannounced inspections in a Member State at the premises of companies active in the construction of networks and treatment plants for drinking water and wastewater. The Commission has concerns that certain companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on […]
Like a guardian angel to keep water flowing through critical infrastructure
As the water supply system becomes more digitalised, cyberthreats are increasing. It is time for an all-hazard risk management and mitigation system. Water is essential for life, health and economies. Water infrastructure is prone to physical threats, including natural hazards, terrorist attacks and accidents, and increasing cyberthreats that are leveraging expanded digitalisation and automation. The […]
March 22: World Water Day
The latest indicatory assessment published by the European Environment Agency shows water abstraction and economic growth in the EU decoupling over the period 2000–2017. Total water abstraction declined by 17 %, while total gross value added generated from all economic sectors increased by 59 %. However, water scarcity conditions and drought events continue to cause significant risks in southern […]
Petition to activate drought measures in Spain
Luis Planas Puchades, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, transferred to the ministries of the Autonomous Communities the priority issues of Spain in the next Council of Ministers of Agriculture of the European Union (February 21): productions and consumption free of deforestation, reciprocity in trade agreements with third parties and measures to curb and mitigate […]
HORIZON EUROPE: The relation of young generations with the sea and water
Expected Outcome Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Provide input and evidence-based outcomes for shaping future initiatives, policies and strategies that address societal changes, future needs and expectations of young generations with regard to the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and enhance ocean literacy among them; Better understanding of […]
Vast majority of Europe’s bathing waters meet the highest quality standards
The annual Bathing Water report published today shows that in 2020, almost 83 % of Europe’s bathing water sites met the European Union’s most stringent ‘excellent’ water quality standards. The latest assessment (European bathing water quality in 2020), put together by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in cooperation with the European Commission, is based on […]
Prestigious European research on floods has a physicist from the University of Almeria
Fernando Sánchez keeps the University of Almería in the international vanguard of scientific contribution by participating in a major project carried out by 34 research groups from all over the continent. This reseach has been published in the prestigious magazine Nature. The last 500 years have been analysed and one of the main conclusions […]