Projecting the effects of proposed policy reforms is challenging because no outcome data exist for regulations that governments have not yet implemented. We propose an ex ante deep learning framework that can project effects of proposed reforms by mapping outcomes observed under past regulations...

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) Water Laboratory has worked with the Education for Climate Coalition to develop a role-play game on debating solutions to water quality contamination. The starting point and context for the game was provided by real water quality data collected as part of "The...

This report highlights the commonalities and disagreements between the reporting by Member States (MS) to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) on the standards for Biological Quality elements in coastal waters, and the methodological standards...

Water input in copper mining varies substantially across sites worldwide, with implications for local sustainable resource management. We quantify water use in global copper mining at unprecedented spatial resolution, using machine learning to estimate site-level water withdrawal and identify...

This paper empirically examine the causal effect and mechanisms of China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) on pollution emissions. Employing the difference-in-differences (DID) alongside various heterogeneity robust estimation methods based on a series of firm-level data, our findings...

Although water is a vital finite resource for sustaining life, it is under constant pressure from anthropogenic activities. Among the different types of surface water, lakes are particularly difficult to restore once water quality deteriorates due to their hydrological cycles and complex...

The growth of synthetic polymers has resulted in a significant rise in the manufacturing and use of plastics worldwide. Microplastics (MPs) may survive in the environment for very prolonged periods because of how slowly plastics degrade. Information on the importance of several potential...

Fish consumers are often challenged by tradeoffs between nutritional benefits and contaminant risks, which increase due to environmental pollution. Health campaigns and labeling initiatives can guide decision-making by providing information both on contaminant risk and nutritional value of a...

This report examined the potential for integrating algae cultivation with nutrient recovery in two scenarios: (i) the integration of algae cultivation with wastewater or effluent treatment; and (ii) the cultivation of macroalgae in eutrophicated open waters. The resulting biomass is intended for...

The EU's ambition is zero water pollution by 2030. In view of this, we assessed EU actions to address ship-source seawater pollution. Overall, EU rules improved, but implementation weaknesses existed and data was insufficient to measure results. While the European Maritime Safety Agency...

The EU's ambition is zero water pollution by 2030. In view of this, we assessed EU actions to address ship-source seawater pollution. Overall, EU rules improved, but implementation weaknesses existed and data was insufficient to measure results. While the European Maritime Safety Agency...

This briefing provides information on the quality of Europe's bathing waters and is complemented by a map viewer to help people make informed decisions about where to bathe. It is published in the context of the European Union's zero pollution action plan and is based on analysis of data...

This paper examines the causal impacts of reducing solid waste imports on water quality in China, which was the world’s largest importer of waste until recently. We focus on the National Sword policy, introduced at the end of 2017, which abruptly banned the import of plastics, textiles,...

The Joint Research Center organised the "Summer school on the evaluation of air, soil and water pollution in support to the European Green Deal: a holistic approach" from 4-8 September 2023, in Novi Sad, Serbia. This event was organized in partnership with the University of Novi Sad (UNS) and...

The Joint Research Center organised the "Summer school on the evaluation of air, soil and water pollution in support to the European Green Deal: a holistic approach" from 4-8 September 2023, in Novi Sad, Serbia. This event was organized in partnership with the University of Novi Sad (UNS) and...

From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, most of Europe's bathing waters are of excellent quality for swimming when assessed against the two specific health relevant parameters (Escherichia coli or E. coli and intestinal enterococci) as required under the Bathing Water Directive (EU, 2006). This...

From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, most of Europe's bathing waters are of excellent quality for swimming when assessed against the two specific health relevant parameters (Escherichia coli or E. coli and intestinal enterococci) as required under the Bathing Water Directive (EU, 2006). This...

This briefing provides a first overview of PFAS pollution in water based on monitoring data reported to EEA's Waterbase. PFOS levels are compared with regulatory threshold values, providing an initial understanding of risks in European waters.

One of the worst natural, economic, and social catastrophes caused by human activity is the Aral Sea crisis in Central Asia. The Aral Sea's desiccation, which has an impact on the region's overall sustainable development, human welfare, security, and survival, is what led to the problem. This...

The rise of shale gas and tight oil development has triggered a major debate about hydraulic fracturing (HF). In an effort to bring light to HF practices and their potential risks to water quality, many U.S. states have mandated disclosure for HF wells and the fluids used. We employ this setting...

Natural and anthropogenic activities have proven to be the main sources of contaminants in groundwater. Hence, the need for continuous evaluation of the controlling factors of groundwater mineralization for monitoring purposes. The study assessed the controls of the groundwater mineralization in...

Steadily increasing demand for water poses a threat to sustainable development, and an increasing number of regions are chronically short of water. Putting caps on water consumption, increasing water use efficiencies, and supporting improved sharing of water resources are now critical to...

We study how spillovers from water pollution cleanup in the Ganges affect social welfare in an aggregate economy consisting of Kanpur and Varanasi, two cities through which this river flows. We view pollution cleanup in both cities as a local public good and point out that, if Kanpur cleans up...

Standard water affordability measures that only account for expenditure on piped water are unlikely to adequately capture the situation of all consumers in developing countries, who often experience water service quality issues and must rely on coping strategies. We construct and compare a...