On March 26, 2026, the high-level SafeCREW Final Conference at the Hanse-Office in Brussels served as a landmark event for the future of European water management. The gathering brought together key stakeholders from across the continent, including water utilities, EU policymakers, and leading technology providers, to address the critical challenges of chemical pollutants in drinking water.
A central highlight of the conference was the strong presence of the ZeroPollution4Water (ZP4W) cluster. This collaborative initiative, which includes the intoDBP, SafeCREW and H2O4all projects, demonstrated the power of collective research in achieving the European Commission’s zero-pollution ambition.
The event featured intensive discussions on the measurement and removal of pollutants, emphasizing the importance of real-life testing and direct collaboration between researchers and water suppliers. Representing the intoDBP project, Coordinator Wolfgang Gernjak shared vital insights into the project’s achievements in managing disinfection by-products (DBPs) and enhancing water quality monitoring.
Supported by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) and funded through the Horizon Europe program, the conference showcased 3.5 years of intensive research. The dialogue underscored a shared passion for creating scalable solutions to protect aquatic ecosystems and human health.
The successful conclusion of the SafeCREW conference marks a transition toward the next phase of implementation for the ZP4W cluster. The partnerships strengthened in Brussels will continue to guide the development of smarter, more resilient water management systems across Europe.
