3.2 Developing Safe Water Systems for the Citizens
Water quality and societal well-being are currently threatened by emerging pollutants and
pathogens (including antibiotic-resistant bacteria and viruses). Key knowledge gaps remain
around their environmental behaviour (in surface water and groundwater). Assessing the impact
of emerging pollutants on human health and citizens’ quality of life through the reuse of urban
effluents in irrigation, water supply and water storage in rural and urban environments needs
substantial research efforts. Moreover, scientific and technological attention needs to be paid
to innovative practices for minimising risks associated with water distribution and storage fa-
cilities and with natural hazards. Water distribution and storage facilities are, for the most part,
old and their performance is often far from optimum. Associated risks fluctuate between life-
threatening accidents to low reliability of the conveyance networks. Low conveyance perform-
ance is commonly associated with energy inefficiency, an issue which severely affects the
sustainability of water services to citizens.
In addition to promoting societal health, this JPI aims to protect citizens from the effects of
natural hazards. For instance, urban floods have often had devastating effects on human life
and property in Europe and beyond. Climate change may increase the frequency and intensity
of floods and droughts locally. Protecting citizens will require increased RDI efforts in disciplines
such as water resources, hydrodynamics, ICT, social sciences and geography. Participatory re-
search approaches will be required to manage these risks.
24
