Protecting the Danube: Transnational Actions on Plastic Pollution, Hazardous Substances, and Water Quality

The Danube River Basin (DRB) is one of Europe’s most extensive and interconnected water systems, supporting ecosystems, communities, and economies across multiple countries. Yet this shared resource is under growing pressure from plastic pollution, hazardous substances, and the intensifying impacts of climate change. Because pollutants travel freely across borders, effective water protection in the Danube basin depends on coordinated, transnational solutions that combine innovation, sound governance, and practical implementation. In this context, several projects supported under the Danube Region Programme (DRP) have taken up the challenge of addressing key water quality issues and strengthening resilience across the river basin.

One of the most visible threats to river ecosystems is plastic pollution. The AQUATIC PLASTIC project addresses this challenge by focusing on riverine macro-plastics in the Danube River Basin. The project identifies high-risk plastic leakage points along rivers and develops innovative solutions for plastic extraction and recycling. By targeting pollution at its sources and interception points, AQUATIC PLASTIC helps reduce the amount of plastic entering river systems and ultimately reaching downstream ecosystems such as the Black Sea.

While macro-plastics are clearly visible, micro plastics pose a less obvious but equally concerning risk, particularly for human health. The MicroDrink project tackles micro plastic pollution in drinking water sources across the region. It strengthens governance frameworks and builds capacity among decision-makers, water managers, scientists, and practitioners. By improving cooperation on sampling methods, analytical techniques, and prevention strategies, MicroDrink supports more consistent and effective management of micro plastics, helping safeguard drinking water supplies throughout the Danube basin.

Beyond plastics, hazardous substances represent a complex and evolving challenge for water quality management. The Tethys project responds to this issue by addressing pollution from emerging and regulated chemical substances in line with new EU legislation. Taking into account external pressures such as climate change, Tethys delivers basin-wide yet country-specific solutions. These include improved monitoring systems, advanced chemical analysis, harmonised data management, emission modelling, and comprehensive risk assessment tools. Together, these measures enhance the ability of authorities to detect, assess, and manage hazardous substances across transboundary waters.

Complementing these pollution-focused approaches, the D-CLEAN project promotes nature-based solutions to improve water quality across the Danube River Basin. The project concentrates on better management of wastewater and storm water pollution, while encouraging climate-resilient and sustainable practices. By equipping local and regional stakeholders with practical tools and methods, D-CLEAN demonstrates how working with natural processes can deliver effective, long-term improvements in water quality while also supporting climate adaptation goals.

Taken together, these initiatives form a coherent response to some of the most pressing water quality challenges in the Danube Region. They contribute directly to the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) flagship processes on emerging substances, while strengthening cooperation among countries, sectors, and institutions. By combining innovation, governance, and practical solutions, these projects are helping to protect one of Europe’s most important river basins and paving the way for a more resilient, sustainable, and well-governed Danube region.