Ocean and Water
Water Laboratory – JRC Ispra site (Italy)
Oceans play a crucial role in regulating our climate and are indispensable to sustain life on Earth. And yet much remains unknown about how ocean systems work. Understanding them, as well as freshwater bodies such as lakes and rivers, is an urgent need. Water scarcity and increased competition for water resources among regions, countries and sectors are becoming pressing issues: agriculture for example is often the largest water user, meaning food production and security are tightly intertwined.
The JRC is at the forefront of addressing these challenges, focusing on solutions “from source to sea” to achieve water resilience through enhanced monitoring and sustainable solutions.
Water scarcity is a growing concern across Europe, especially where climate change and agricultural demands place intense pressure on water resources. The JRC develops transboundary solutions for the restoration of water quality and the management of water-related risks. Our scenario analysis tools predict trends in water availability and simulate the effectiveness of various water management strategies such as improving wastewater treatment or promoting water reuse for agricultural irrigation. The JRC supports the implementation of the European Strategy for the Danube Region in close cooperation with the countries and national science academies of the region and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR).
While microplastics are known to be present in drinking water, their impact on human health remains unclear due to limited understanding of their distribution. We support the EU’s Drinking Water Directive on monitoring new pollutants, by developing methodologies that measure microplastics, collect accurate data and provide robust analysis. Future monitoring will be guided by this framework, ensuring better protection for public health and the environment.
We have developed the European Drought Risk Atlas to better understand and manage the complex risks associated with droughts. It provides detailed insights into the frequency, severity and impact of droughts, assesses risks in critical sectors such as agriculture, water supply and energy, and develops effective drought management strategies. Combined it is an invaluable resource for policymaking aimed.
Our More Water More Life project finds water in some of the driest places on earth. Since 2017, UNICEF has collaborated with the JRC to develop this new way of mapping groundwater using geospatial imagery and data. Together, we have found a way to use satellite images in conjunction with conventional exploration techniques to reduce the time and resources required for groundwater feasibility studies.
Oceans, seas and coastal regions provide many opportunities to build a stronger and more competitive EU economy. But the marine realm is fragile, remains largely unknown and it is indispensable to sustain life on Earth. Together with DG MARE we have built the European Union Blue Economy Observatory to monitor and analyse economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coasts across and between Member States to harness the potential of our oceans while ensuring long term health and sustainability of the marine environment.
Working closely with Copernicus, a European Union programme that monitors the Earth via satellites, our focus is on satellite-based monitoring of oceans, lakes and rivers. This data provides critical insights into water bodies and allows decision-makers to track climate-induced changes, pollution and water use patterns across Europe.
Exploring Water Resilience with Labs across the EU is a design-driven, participatory initiative that brings together national labs, local stakeholders, and EU policymakers to co-create solutions for water resilience. By engaging national labs and integrating local knowledge with scientific research, it aims to develop actionable insights and practical solutions to improve water resilience across diverse regions. Under the remit of the EU Policy Lab, JRC collaborated with five participant labs from various Member States (Portugal, Lithuania, etc.), with each laboratory bringing different experiences and perspectives to the table. This helps to bridge the gap between the multiple insights on water resilience at municipal, regional, national, and EU-level.
Our Blue2 freshwater-marine modelling framework assesses status and trends of both marine and freshwater systems. By simulating various climate change scenarios, we offer you crucial policy guidance that enables more agile water management strategies, while considering the complex interaction between climate change, water scarcity and food security.
The JRC is promoting a groundbreaking approach to monitoring public health: analysing wastewater to track diseases and pollutants. This method, known as wastewater-based surveillance, has shown great promise in detecting SARS-CoV-2, antimicrobial resistance, and other emerging health threats. The International Cookbook for Wastewater Practitioners is a practical guide developed through the collective efforts of over 50 institutions worldwide, including universities, research centres, and public health organisations. It brings together experts from diverse backgrounds and fields of expertise from over 20 countries, showcasing the breadth of international cooperation involved in creating this valuable resource.
