MicroDrink held 5th Partner Meeting in Belgrade, Serbia

The first day of the meeting was dedicated to the implementation of activities within all three Specific Objectives (SO1, SO2 and SO3).

SO leaders presented the progress of activities, outputs, and results achieved throughout the implementation of the MicroDrink project. Discussions focused on the development of the transnational knowledge base on microplastics in drinking water resources across the Danube Region, as well as the results of the 3rd and 4th national sampling campaigns.

Partners presented their national sampling reports and analysis results related to microplastics in karst, intergranular, and surface/river bank filtration drinking water resources. The sessions also included discussions on harmonised sampling methodologies, future sampling guidelines, and testing of the Decision-Making Support Tool (DMST) for drinking water management.

Within the SO3 session, partners presented the outcomes of their national stakeholder workshops and discussed activities related to capacity building for the management of microplastics in drinking water facilities. Additional topics included the development of the project e-book, the roadmap toward a regional microplastics strategy, and strengthening institutional capacities for addressing microplastic pollution.

On the second day of the meeting, the MicroDrink Final Conference was organized at the Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, bringing together researchers, experts, project partners, and representatives of related initiatives working on the topic of microplastics in drinking water resources. The conference provided a valuable platform for presenting project achievements, exchanging knowledge and experiences, and discussing current challenges and future approaches to the management of microplastics in drinking water systems across the Danube Region. More detailed information about the conference and its outcomes is published in a separate news.

The following day, a field trip was organized to the PP11 pilot site – the Pavliš groundwater source, which serves as an important drinking water resource for the city of Vršac. Participants visited the water treatment plant and gained valuable insights into groundwater resource management, water abstraction, treatment processes, and drinking water supply practices. The visit provided an opportunity to better understand the practical challenges related to the protection and sustainable management of groundwater resources.

As part of the field trip, participants also visited the Vršac Tower (Vršačka kula), one of the most recognizable landmarks of the region. During the visit, participants learned about the historical significance of the site and enjoyed panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, making the field trip a valuable combination of professional exchange and cultural heritage experience.

The field trip also included visits to local sites in Vršac, providing an excellent opportunity for networking and exchange of ideas among project partners.

The final day of the meeting included the Steering Committee session, during which the Lead Partner presented an overview of the project management and financial status.

The Communication Manager led sessions dedicated to project communication and dissemination activities, where all partners briefly presented their outreach efforts, promotional activities, and future communication plans within the MicroDrink project.

Overall, the 5th Partner Meeting highlighted the strong commitment of all partners to advancing research on microplastics in drinking water resources and strengthening transnational cooperation throughout the Danube Region.