Roadmap Towards MP Strategy in Drinking Water

Microplastics (MP) have become an increasing concern for water quality and public health worldwide. Although scientific understanding of their impacts is still evolving, the presence of microplastics in drinking water sources highlights the need for proactive strategies. International frameworks, such as the EU Drinking Water Directive and its delegated acts, are beginning to establish methodologies for monitoring; however, effective implementation requires coordinated action at national and local levels.

This roadmap (Figure) provides a structured approach for countries to progress from knowledge gathering to the full integration of microplastic monitoring and management in drinking water systems. It outlines five key stages: starting points, monitoring and research, risk assessment and regulation, communication, awareness and education, and implementation and assigns responsibilities to essential actors at each step. These stages are designed to guide policymakers, regulators, water suppliers, laboratories, researchers, public health authorities, educators and news media in developing resilient and transparent strategies.

This roadmap has been prepared within the framework of the MicroDrink project (2024 – 2026), implemented under the Interreg Danube Region Programme. The consortium of the MicroDrink, comprised of 11 institutions from 8 Danube Region countries (Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia and Serbia), jointly prepared this Roadmap under the project’s Specific Objective 3, which focuses on building capacity for the management of MP in drinking water facilities from sources to taps.. The Roadmap reflects the objectives of the MicroDrink project by promoting coordinated and knowledge-based approaches to managing microplastics in drinking water systems across the Danube Region.

This document builds on the analytical work presented in Deliverable D.3.3.1 Compilation report on microplastic governance strategies for water facilities operators and complements the operational framework developed in Deliverable D.3.3.2 Compilation report on the legislation solutions for microplastics. While D.3.3.1 summarised national governance approaches and identified common challenges, and D.3.3.2 introduced supportive decision-making mechanisms, this roadmap consolidates those findings into a structured pathway to guide gradual and practical implementation.