Danube Watch 2 / 2019

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DANUBE WATCH 2 / 2019

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DANUBE RIVER WWW.ICPDR.ORG

FROM CONVENTION TO ACTION: Celebrating 25 years of basinwide cooperation

CLASH OF THE TITANS: When science and cooperation meet

THE MAGIC SILVER BOX: How we test for micro-plastics in the Danube What‘s Getting Dear readers Through?

News & Happy 40th, VIC! events

Clash of the Titans: 25 Years of ICPDR Science and Communication

What is the Magic Silver Box Telling Us? From Convention to Action How we test for Microplastics in the Danube

JDS4: Checking in Cooperation and Testing: with the Danube A Faecal Matter

[Re] Discover Danube: Celebrating 16 Wonderful Engaging the Public with JDS4 Years of Danube Day!

Vienna, Austria: 8 Sofia, Bulgaria: 6 The Vienna International Centre - home of one Budapest, Hungary: 12 On June 29th, 1994, the of the four major seats Danube River Protection of the United Nations The fourth Joint Danube Convention was signed by 11 and the ICPDR- turns 40 Survey officially kicked off Danube countries, establishing this year. on Margritsziget (Margaret the ICPDR. Island), begining a massive Basin-wide cooperative effort. © UNIS

Dear readers, At the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna, we feel As a result, having a strong relationship with the ICPDR is privileged to be located so close to the River Danube, a vi- not only a rewarding experience but also brings us closer tal resource for many countries. The river passes through to reaching Sustainable Development Goals 6 “Clean Wa- 10 countries before flowing into the Black Sea, so protect- ter and Sanitation”, 14 “Life Below Water” and 17 “Part- ing the river and its basin cannot be done by one country nership for the Goals”. alone. The river, like an artery running through Central and Eastern Europe, illustrates perfectly the value of mul- In this spirit, on the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Inter- tilaterism. Through the valuable work carried out by the national Centre, we would like to congratulate the ICPDR International Commission for the Protection of the Dan- for its continuous efforts and outstanding achievements ube River (ICPDR) to protect the river, we see the impor- over a quarter of a century. Although much has changed tance of working together to protect a shared resource. over the four decades since the Vienna International Cen- tre opened its doors, the Danube river and its beauty re- Through the Danube River Protection Convention, which main the same. For this, we have to thank the countries provides the mandate for the ICPDR, the European Union involved for embracing the spirit of international coop- and 15 Contracting States – Austria, Bosnia and Herzego- eration and illustrating the pivotal role of transboundary vina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, water management, and the ICPDR for safeguarding the Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ser- Danube river over the last 25 years. bia and Ukraine – are brought closer together, reflecting the necessity of effective multilateralism.

The ICPDR’s efforts to maintain the biodiversity and beauty of the Danube river, especially in times of rapid climate change, are crucial and neatly align with the Sustainable Development Goals – the thread that runs through all of the United Nations’ work and serves as a universal frame- Martin Nesirky, Director of the United Nations work for development. Information Service, Vienna

For a free subscription IMPRINT to Danube Watch, or Owner/Publisher: ICPDR – International Commission for the Protection to contribute to Danube of the Danube River, Vienna, [email protected]; Watch, please contact [email protected] Executive Editor: Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov; Editor: Jake Friedly; Design: Wagesreiter & Polaschek Grafikdesign OG; Print: Bernsteiner Media GmbH; Danube Watch is Online publishing: Alex Höbart; Cover photo: © ICPDR available on the web at www.icpdr.org Danube Watch is the official magazine of the ICPDR, the International Commis- sion for the Protection of the Danube River. Danube Watch enhances regional cooperation and information sharing on sustainable water management and environmental protection in the Danube River Basin. It reports on current PEFC Certi ed issues affecting the Danube Basin, and on action taken to deal with challenges in the river basin. Striving for scientific accuracy while remaining concise, clear This product is from sustainably managed and readable, it is produced for the wide range of people who are actively in- forest and controlled volved in the Danube River Basin and are working to improve its environment. sources The ICPDR accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard www.pefc.at to information or opinions of the authors of the articles in this issue.

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DANUBE WATCH 3 News & Events

Fourth Joint Danube Survey (JDS4) Kicks off in Budapest Budapest, 27 June 2019 – The official kick-off for JDS4, the fourth Joint Danube Survey, took place in Budapest this year, starting up the Danube-wide survey in the heart of the Hungar- ian capital hosted by the City of Budapest and organised by the Hungarian Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Water Management (OVF).

The event included a series of introductory talks and presentations, a river sampling demonstration plus a press conference. This all took place on the Margitsziget (Margaret island) in Buda- pest and in the presence of the Deputy Mayor of Budapest, the Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for the Interior and several of the key members of the ICPDR team. to observe a live demonstration of a typical survey sampling, done right there on the banks of the Danube in Budapest. Along with ICPDR president, Péter Kovács, one of the key speakers at the JDS4 launch in Budapest, ICPDR Executive Secretary, While the event acted as an official start to JDS4, it was not the only Ivan Zavadsky and JDS4 co-ordinator, Igor Liska, were also in at- public event tied to the survey taking place along the Danube. An tendance. The presentation of JDS4 gave an outline of some of array of interesting events were to be found throughout the basin. the methods and aims of the survey. Attendees were then able Further details can be found on pages 12-13.

Danube Day 2019: “Get active for a Safer Danube” Danube Basin countries to work on making the Danube River Basin cleaner, healthier and safer for all citizens to enjoy.

Danube Day celebrates the Danube, the rivers that flow into it and the vital role they play in providing water, food, power, recreation and livelihoods. This year however, Danube Day was especially notable for commemorating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Danube River Protection Convention in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1994.

The President of the ICPDR, Péter Kovács, said, “This year, and on the momentous occasion of the ICPDR’s 25th anniversary, we would like to join all the citizens of our Danube River Basin in celebrating the convention that has given – and will continue to give – all of us the tools to ensure a safe River Basin for genera- tions to come”. Vienna, 29 June 2019 – Over eighty million people in all 14 Danube countries were invited to ‘Get active for a safer Danube’ Danube Day is the ICPDR's most widely known communications on the 29th of June as part of the celebrations for Danube Day. event and is a unique celebration stretching across 14 countries each year. To find out more about the numerous Danube Day The theme this year was a “Safer Danube”, inspired by the 2016 events as well as the ICPDR and its work in general, please visit: Danube Declaration. The declaration made it a priority for all www.danubeday.org and www.icpdr.org.

4 DANUBE WATCH Danube Art Master 2019

Children from all schools, NGOs, clubs, day care centres or associations for children in the Danube Basin are invited to create a piece of art and take part in the Danube Art Master competition, which has been uniting thousands of children throughout the Danube River Basin since 2004. The competition not only brings children of the Danube region together, but also edu- cates them about the river’s intrinsic value and importance, and gives them a voice to comment on the future of their environment.

The contest invites young people from 14 countries to create artworks inspired by the rivers and their surroundings. The international winner will be announced in the fall. Participants We love the Danube! must be between 6 and 18 years old and from a country in the Danube Basin. The competition exists at two levels: national Jointly organised by the Global Water Partnership Central and East- and international. Once selected at the national level, nation- ern Europe (GWP CEE) and the International Commission for the al winners will then compete at the international level. The Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), this competition encour- participants are encouraged to check the submission deadline ages children to have a closer look at their local river, to reflect on with their national organiser. Categories include artwork, vid- what the environment means to them and to create original art- eo, poetry, song or performance; allowing all artistic talents to works to celebrate the region. be showcased!

New Agreement Puts the EU’s Water Framework Directive Front And Centre The member states of the ICPDR have solidified an agreement to implement the European Union’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) with the objective to ‘achieve good chemical and ecological status’. To meet this objective, the ICPDR and International Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC) have developed fresh River Basin Management Plans to address the salient issues impacting water and ecological statuses.

Some of the analyses undertaken have identified that many - sig nificant pressures derive from ‘hydromorphological alterations’ in the Danube. These stem from over a hundred years of engineering alterations in the basin to improve navigation, hydropower, flood protection, etc., and the results include a reduction in the ability of fish to migrate, plus the loss of ecologically vital wetlands. The project is to be implemented through a variety of local and international institutions including the WWF, ICPDR, ISRBC, Aiming to both stem such problems and avoid future pressures, the Udruga Dinarica (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Svetska Organizacija relatively new concept of integrated planning is key. Overcoming za Prirodu (Serbia), Green Home and EcoTim (Montenegro), and the resources gap and aligning efforts between the Danube River will lead to newly agreed methods, techniques and integrated Basin’s EU and Non-EU states is thus more important than ever. The plans across borders, reducing pressures from hydromorpholog- Global Environment Facility (GEF)'s Danube River Basin Hydromor- ical alterations. It will also lead to the improved ecological status phology and River Restoration (DYNA) project aims to support Bos- of the Danube River Basin. nia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine in developing the capacity necessary to monitor, assess and mitigate pressures, and harness the benefits of restoration measures.

DANUBE WATCH 5 A selection of covers from a quarter of a century of Danube Watch

“The ICPDR is the principle international body for the promotion Forum, Danube Competence Center, Dan- of a sustainable and balanced use of water resources in the ube Commission, Danube Environmental Danube River Basin”, says Bosko Kenjic, Bosnia & Herzegovina's Forum, DanubeParks, Danube Sturgeon Head of Delegation to the ICPDR. Task Force, Danube Tourist Commission, European Anglers Alliance, European Barge round the world, the ICPDR is seen In the 25 years since then, the ICPDR has Union, European Water Association, Friends as a leader in river basin manage- provided a means for countries to assess of Nature International, Global Water Part- A ment, providing valuable lessons the health of the river and develop ba- nership, International Association for Dan- for the managers of other transboundary sin-wide plans to address priority issues ube Research, International Association water systems from the Orange River to such as pollution, hydropower, naviga- of Water Supply Companies in the Dan- the Amazon. The ICPDR is also actively co- tion and adaptation to climate change. By ube River Catchment Area, International operating with global organisations such bringing together representatives from Hydrological Programme of the UNESCO, as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the highest ministerial levels, technical ex- International Sava River Basin Commis- the World Bank, United Nations Devel- perts, members of civil society and the sci- sion, RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands, opment Programme (UNDP), UN Environ- entific community, the ICPDR has contrib- Regional Environmental Center for Central ment and the Organisation for Economic uted greatly toward improvements in the and Eastern Europe, VGB PowerTech e.V., Cooperation and Development (OECD), to state of water bodies in the Danube River viadonau and the Worldwide Fund for Na- ensure that other programmes can learn Basin. This can be seen in the EU Water ture – Danube-Carpathian Programme. from the experiences of managing the Framework Directive and Flood Directive. Danube River Basin. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) According to Heide Jekel – Germany’s head established a framework for community of delegation to the ICPDR – the ICPDR is The Danube River Protection Convention action in the field of water policy in 2000. "providing global leadership as one of the (DRPC) was signed in 1994. Its signato- Conceived of in 2004 and implemented first river basin commissions to have devel- ries agreed to cooperate on crucial water in 2007, the EU Flood Directive aims to oped a climate change adaptation strategy”. management issues, including the con- reduce and manage the risks to human servation of surface and groundwater, health, the environment, cultural heritage The continuous goal of the ICPDR is to controlling hazards from accidents and and economic activity posed by floods. implement the Danube River Protection floods and reducing pollution entering Convention and make it a living tool for co- the Black Sea from sources in the Danube The ICPDR serves as an important learning ordinating sustainable and equitable water River Basin. The Convention takes a holis- hub and platform for the exchange of ex- management. This includes conservation tic approach, based on the understanding periences and innovation between coun- as well as the improved and rational use that water resources play an essential tries faced with vastly disparate economic of water resources for the benefit of the part in ecosystems as well as in human and environmental challenges. It also con- Danube River Basin. societies and economies. In essence, the tinues to pioneer inter-sectorial coopera- ICPDR was created to act as an organisation and structured dialogue among those The ICPDR has achieved much in 25 years tion that works to ensure the sustainable who benefit from the Danube's water of existence toward tackling its key goals and equitable use of freshwater resourc- resources. This includes 24 observer or- while growing, expanding and cooperating es in the Danube River Basin for the ben- ganisations which are the Black Sea Com- with an increased number of actors in the efit of the over 80 million people who call mission, Carpathian Convention, Central region. Below is only a small sampling of the area home. Dredging Association, Danube Civil Society such achievements.

6 DANUBE WATCH A selection of covers from a quarter of a century of Danube Watch

Addressing Pollution Having cooperated in numerous joint efforts, the GEF Strategic Partnership, new and existing hydropower plants. This analysis of the water quality and the eco- ICPDR, the European Commission and Dan- led to the creation of Guiding Principles logical status of the Danube River ever ube countries can take credit for recent on Sustainable Hydropower Development, conducted. Every six years since then, a measurable improvements in the Black which in turn has put in place a common JDS has taken place on ever broader and Sea’s north-west shelf. Nowhere on Earth vision and practical recommendations for deeper scales, providing a wealth of valu- have such demonstrable water quality and countries to improve the efficiency and enable data from which informed high-level ecosystem improvements been observed vironmental management of hydropower decisions regarding environmental meas- in a large river and adjacent sea as in the plants. The Guiding Principles document is ures can be made. These collaborative sur- Danube and Black Sea ecosystems over the also currently available in eight languages: veys have shown that the water quality is last decade. The Black Sea is showing ini- Bosnian, Croatian, Czech, English, German, progressively becoming healthier and saf- tial evidence of recovery. This is only one Slovak, Slovene and Ukrainian. er, in large part thanks to efforts supported of many notable examples of cooperative by the ICPDR. 2019's JDS4 was kicked-off in success in the region. Climate Change June with ambitious goals and new meth- In 2012, the ICPDR was the first river ba- ods including a more active role for nation- Flood Risk Prevention sin commission in the world to develop a al authorities and individual countries, ef- In 2004, the Action Programme for - Sus climate change adaptation strategy. At the fect based methods/ non-target screening, tainable Flood Protection for the Danube 2010 Danube Ministerial Conference, Min- environmental DNA (eDNA) testing and in- was released by the ICPDR. In 2015, the isters asked the ICPDR to develop a Climate formation gathering on micro-plastic con- Danube Flood Risk Management Plan, Change Adaptation Strategy for the Danube tamination levels in the Danube. which is based on the EU Floods Directive, River Basin and Germany was nominat- was released. It focuses on the strategic ed to be the lead country for the activity, Outreach management of flood risk across the entire thus setting things in motion. The ICPDR's From the beginning, the ICPDR recog- river basin and compliments national flood basin-wide approach to climate change is nised the importance of reaching out to risk management plans. The main goal of now helping to provide water management and informing the public about its impor- both of these actions has been to increase information at the catchment scale so that tant work. Danube Watch magazine was communication, cooperation and solidar- countries can determine the most likely im- first published in 1994 and has acted as ity among the individual countries of the pacts and cooperate on suitable adaptation the voice of the organisation ever since. Danube region, which may be affected by measures. This strategy was again updat- In addition to Danube Watch, the ICPDR flooding. ed in 2018 with several research studies, has taken full advantage of the internet expert workshops on adaptation based on by regularly publishing reports and infor- Sustainable Hydropower these studies and the broad cooperation of mation on its website while also utilising In 2010, Ministers from the Danube coun- ICPDR experts, nominated experts and ob- social media outlets to better reach the tries mandated the ICPDR to trigger a server organisations. public. Public outreach also means physi- broad discussion process with the hydro- cally bringing people together. To this end, power sector and all relevant stakeholders Joint Danube Survey the ICPDR regularly organises activities like with the aim of integrating environmental The first JDS was carried out by the ICPDR the annual Danube Day – a tradition since considerations into the management of in 2001 and was the most homogeneous 2004. See page 22-23 for an in-depth look.

DANUBE WATCH 7 From Convention to Action

he ICPDR celebrates its 25th year of existence this year, with its founda- T tion and work directly tied to the Danube River Protection Convention of 1994. The efforts and steps required to accomplish the signing of the convention and to then begin action based on this founding document were tremendous and deserve to be highlighted.

In 1985, Danube countries had agreed in the ‘Bucharest Declaration on Water Man- agement of the Danube River’ to coordinate water management activities. The goals were ambitious but the political and economic situation in the region at the time hindered effective implementation. Joachim Bendow, first Executive Secretary of the ICPDR and Ursula Schmedtje, first Technical Expert for River Basin Not long after massive regional political Management at the ICPDR Secretariat (right). changes affected Central and Eastern Eu- rope (CEE), the idea of creating a ‘Danube the European Commission and NGOs met programme ever to be approved by both River Protection Convention (DRPC)’ was in Sofia, Bulgaria in September 1991 to organisations. supported by Danube countries at the first plan the next steps. The result was the UNECE ‘Environment for Europe’ confer- birth of the jointly agreed upon ‘Environ- The need for a DRPC was further driven ence held at the Dobris Castle in the Czech mental Programme for the Danube River by Danube countries becoming Parties Republic in June 1991. Basin (EPDRB)’, a framework initiative for to the new UNECE Convention on the regional cooperation in water manage- Protection of Transboundary Rivers and Building on this momentum, 24 countries, ment that would initiate priority studies Lakes signed in Helsinki in March 1992. It Global Environment Facility (GEF)/United and actions supporting the establishment obliged Parties to prevent transboundary Nations Development Programme (UNDP), of the DRPC. impacts on watercourses and encouraged them to cooperate through river basin The foundational The EPDRB was man- management agreements. In effect, the text at the core aged and mainly ‘Helsinki Convention’ would become the of the ICPDR's funded by the EU basis for the DRPC. raison d'être, the Danube Phare Multi-Country th River Protection Programme for Envi- On the 29 of June 1994 in Sofia, Bulgar- Convention, ronment and UNDP, ia, 11 Danube countries (Austria, Bulgar- continues to lay which planned to ia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany the groundwork draw funds from the Hungary, Moldova Romania, Slovakia, for multilateral cooperation emerging Global En- Slovenia and Ukraine) and the Europe- between all vironmental Facility an Commission (EC) signed the Danube Danubian states (GEF) to implement River Protection Convention (DRPC). necessary for the EPDRB activities. The It has become the overall legal frame- preservation of EPDRB was extreme- work for protecting and sustainably us- the river and its tributaries ly important in that it ing water and other shared ecological was the first regional resources.

8 DANUBE WATCH The main objective of the Danube River Protection Convention is to ensure that surface waters and groundwater within the Danube River Basin are managed and Done at Sofia, used sustainably and equitably. this 29th day This involves: of June 1994. Convention on Cooperation the conservation, improvement and for the Protection rational use of surface waters and and Sustainable groundwater. use of the preventive measures to control hazards Danube River (Danube River originating from accidents involving Protection floods, ice or hazardous substances. Convention) measures to reduce the pollution loads entering the Black Sea from sources in the Danube River Basin.

The signatories to the DRPC have agreed to co-operate on fundamental water management issues by taking "all appropriate ment Plan (DRBMP) and nominated the Basin Management Plan. The DRP and sig- legal, administrative and technical meas- ICPDR as its coordinating body. The deci- nificant involvement of the GEF/UNDP in ures to at least maintain and where possi- sion made sense given that both the WFD the Danube Basin then ended in 2007. ble improve the current water quality and and ICPDR were based on using integrated environmental conditions of the Danube river basin management (IRBM). The first Joint Danube Survey was con- river and of the waters in its catchment ducted in 2001 with the goal of provid- area, and to prevent and reduce as far as In 2000, the EU adopted the Water Frame- ing comparable and reliable information possible adverse impacts and changes oc- work Directive (WFD), which acts as an on the water quality of the entire course curring or likely to be caused". effective tool for water management and of the Danube River. The survey (and its is one of the strongest pieces of water subsequent iterations) help Danube - gov The DRPC came into force on the 22nd of protection legislation in the world. ICPDR ernments implement the Danube River October 1998. Days later, the International Heads of Country Delegates decided that Protection Convention as well as the EU Commission for the Protection of the Dan- the implementation of the WFD should Water Framework Directive. The data col- ube River (ICPDR) and its Permanent Sec- be of the highest priority and all Danube lected, cooperation fostered and aware- retariat were established. Between 1998 countries agreed, both EU member states ness raised by these surveys has proven to and 2000, the ICPDR, mainly through its and potential member states. Since then, be incredibly valuable for the work of the Expert Groups, cooperated with the GEF/ the ICPDR has worked to strengthen the ICPDR and the achievement of the Conven- UNDP and the EC in implementing the 'En- capacity of Danube countries to meet the tion's vision. vironmental Programme for the Danube EU's accession requirements. This leads to River Basin' (EPDRB). a positive outcome for all sides as- politi With this key groundwork in place, ICPDR cal and economic incentives for environ- and its partners have been able to make In 2000, the EPDRB officially ended. This mental compliance resulting from the EU great strides in securing the future of the proved to be a major milestone whereby accession process promote the speedier Danube River, its tributaries and the 80 the lead in managing the Danube Basin implementation of the Danube River Pro- million people who depend on the Dan- shifted from donors to the ICPDR and the tection Convention's objectives. ube's waters. The future growth of coop- Danube countries themselves, with contin- eration and action stems from the work ued and targeted GEF/UNDP support. The five-year Danube Regional Project leading to the Danube River Protection (DRP) was launched in 2001 and constitut- Convention and the subsequent path to- Also in 2000, the ICPDR Heads of National ed the last phase of GEF/UNDP long-term ward action that took place over its first Delegations agreed that the implementa- support for IRBM in the Danube Basin. Its decade of existence. The DRPC truly shows tion of the EU's Water Framework Direc- main goal was to strengthen the capaci- what can be accomplished with clarity of tive (WFD) should become the highest pri- ty of the ICPDR and Danube countries to vision and dedication to action. ority for the ICPDR for the coming years. cooperate in fulfilling their commitments Ministers from all of the Danube countries to implement the Danube Convention, gave their full commitment to back the to reduce nutrient pollution entering the decision, including members of the EU, Black Sea and to the WFD. It built on the Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov, Technical Expert for prospective members and non-members. GEF Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis to Public Participation and Communication in the They further pledged to develop a single, help develop the 2004 Danube River Basin ICPDR Secretariat, and the Executive Editor of Basin-wide Danube River Basin Manage- Analysis and eventually the Danube River Danube Watch

DANUBE WATCH 9 Joint Danube Survey 4 he Joint Danube Survey is the most extensive investigation of a large river and its tributaries T in the world. After the official start on theth 27 of June 2019 in Budapest, sample-taking and testing began at predetermined sampling locations around the Danube River Basin. Its goal: to capture biological, chemical, and water structures; to examine Danube fish; to implement new methods of examination; and to test for micro-plastics along the entire Danube. The value of this river examination, the largest of its kind globally, lies in the high quality of the data and the Danube-wide comparability of the findings. Aside from the pre-existing parameters, 2019 brings in an additional focus on state-of-the-art methods.

The examination of invasive their spread and prevent future introduc- programme seeks to track the number species will provide infor- tions into the Danube's ecosystem. of dangerous faecal-related germs and mation about the effects of bacteria, especially E.coli, found along foreign plants and animals Specially developed collection tools for the Danube. Sampling and testing in ar- that have moved (or were micro-plastics ascertain the amount of eas immediately downstream from large brought) into the Danube. plastic particles that are transported in metropolitan areas is especially impor- Invasive species often pose the water flow of the Danube. With in- tant as sewage waste-water released in a serious threat to the creased concern over the amount of mi- these areas is a major source of faecal well-being of native plants cro-plastics contamination in the Danube contamination. Tied to this investigation and animals. Therefore, and the recognition that nearly all of the is sampling to detect the number and va- understanding the depth Earth's water systems have been contam- rieties of antibiotic-resist bacteria in the of the threat they pose, inated, systematic testing of the river for river in order to discover how they de- as well as where they micro-plastics for the first time will secure velop as well as potential solutions. See are predominantly a base-line understanding of the extent pages 20-21 for more information. found, can lead to of the problem. This will allow for further the formulation of testing in the future that can be compared For the first time in a major river, the ways to combat in order to understand the developing largest investigation of eDNA (environ- state of the issue. The tests, as part of mental DNA) will be undertaken. Within JDS4, will also provide vital information on the scope of this, DNA will be examined the type of micro-plastics pollution, prob- in the water and compared to DNA in- lem locations, possible origins and relative formation in a databank. What species amounts – all of which will inform future live in the Danube can be determined policy decisions designed to address this through a water sample with this meth- troubling problem. See pages 18-19 for a od and without the need to remove the more in-depth look. plants and animals themselves from the river. These modern techniques will A microbiology programme under Aus- revolutionise and streamline ecological trian leadership is concerning itself with investigations in the future. Biological the potential dangers from faecal germs research and monitoring for the assess- and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This ment of ecological quality could also very well become greatly advanced through the use of this method. It will have further serious positive effects on more specific research, such as the investigation of invasive species as mentioned above.

10 DANUBE WATCH In addition to the targeted investigations to make information on all aspects of The ICPDR has organised the of a number of pollutants, the technique the Joint Danube Survey and its findings Joint Danube Survey, with of non-target-screenings will be put to not only available to the public, but also renowned scientific teams, use. Through this method, a digital fin- relevant. The concept of science commu- every six years since 2001. gerprint of the chemical make-up of the nications is extremely important in that Thirteen states of the Danube water will be created that will contain it provides a bridge between scientific River Basin, from Germany more than several tens of thousands of experts and the general public. Making to Ukraine, cooperate on its substances in small concentrations. From sure that the public has access to scien- implementation. With sam- this fingerprint, the levels of natural and tific findings and, more importantly,- un pling and testing well -un man-made substances can be ascer- derstands the importance of any findings der way, the full findings tained, thereby providing information offers potentially massive positive effects of JDS4 are expected to about the health of the river and the the- for both parties. See a more detailed ex- be to be released in by oretical sources of unwanted pollutants. planation of science communications on the end of 2020. Samples are being taken from a total of pages 16-17. 51 sampling locations as part of JDS4. Clean water does not mean an absence The goal of the Joint Danube Surveys is of all other substances. This is also true to fulfil the strong requirements of the for river systems like the Danube. Life- EU Water Framework Directive in order styles and business practices are reflect- to achieve good standing for all Danube ed by the waters’ general health. On the River Basin waters. It is assumed from basis of new analytical processes, a num- this that the findings of JDS4 will be able ber of substance groups are detectable to reaffirm the positive trends created these days. The difference between dan- through the cooperative efforts of the gerous and non-dangerous substances is Danube countries. The last JDS showed what is important. Therefore, the current a consistently good water quality in the controls on the quality of the Danube are Danube for many stretches of the river vital. These controls are regularly car- and improved water quality among all ried out in the national monitoring pro- of the Danube countries. The findings grammes of various Danube River Basin of JDS4 will provide an important deci- countries and often in cooperation sion-making basis for further necessary with one another. measures along the Danube.

Along with all of the new methods, focuses and equipment in play for JDS4, a vigorous communications and public outreach strategy has been put in place [Re] Discover Danube: Public Involvement/ Awareness JDS4 In addition to scientific and technical goals related to water quality level, increasing the responsibility of those who best know the monitoring, JDS4 is an opportunity to increase public awareness of local regions, cultures and opportunities. This year, more people water protection and conservation issues throughout the Danube than ever could discover the importance of the Danube and the River Basin. The ICPDR's experience with local, national and international and international protection efforts, and genuinely come national outreach is informed by its three previous surveys over the out for a good time on the Danube! last 18 years. During that time, news of the JDS has been featured in many of the most widely distributed newspapers, listened to radio The JDS4 website (www.danubesurvey.org) programmes and watched TV stations in the Danube countries. is continuing its commitment to sharing its results online, along with various stories and pictures, updated for the more interna- In 2019, ICPDR's outreach goals are significantly greater as a re- tional, more locally-sensitive and more educational style adopt- sult of new processes JDS activities are engaged in at the national ed in 2019. JDS4 Events With this increased focus on communications and public engagement, this year's Joint Danube Survey has already started off on the right foot with JDS4- related events taking place all along the sampling site route. Hungary The official kick-off for JDS4 took place in Budapest this year, beginning the Danube-wide survey with an afternoon press conference held in the heart of the Hungarian capital. Among others, the deputy mayor of Budapest and the Hungarian State Secretary for the Interior were in attendance for this event that was held on the 27th of June on Margatsziget (Margaret Island).

Austria JDS4 launched in Austria on the 10th of July 2019 in two different locations along the Danube. At the sampling station in Wolfsthal, presentations and discussions with scientific experts were held. Later on, in Hainburg, a key location for the 2019 action for sampling Macrozoobenthos (small animals living on or in sediment), demonstrations of the sampling procedure and equipment were undertaken. These demonstrations were complemented by various discussions and talks from JDS4 experts on Phytobenthos, Phytoplankton and Zooplankton.

Czech Republic On the 20th of June 2019, the Open Door Day of the Water Re- search Institute in Prague was held from 9:00- 17:00. This event kicked off JDS4 in the Czech Republic, and included a lecture and Q&A session about JDS4, as well as some takeaway materials available to any and all interested members of the public.

12 DANUBE WATCH Ukraine In 2019, the launch of JDS4 in Ukraine went hand in hand with the launch of Danube Day and the celebration of the Danube Herring Festival on the 29th of June in Kiliya, on the Danube Delta. Water managers at national and regional levels presented and answered questions in Kiliya regarding a new national WFD-compliant system of surface water monitoring, which entered into force in 2019. Experts from the Dnipro basin, within the framework of the EU's Water Initiative project, shared information on the status of the Dnipro RBMP preparation. The connection of the JDS4 and Joint Black Sea surveys was also highlighted, the latter also due to take place in 2019, within the framework of the EU/UNDP project, “Improving Environmental Monitoring of the Black Sea: selected measures” (EMBLAS-Plus). Speakers at the event included: Mykola Kuzyo – Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Re- sources of Ukraine Iryna Ovcharenko – Head of State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine Johannes Baur – First Counsellor, Head of Operations Section, Economic Cooperation, Energy, Infrastructure and Environ- ment, Delegation of European Union to Ukraine ICPDR © all photos, Yunona Videnina – Thematic Communication Leader EUWI+ Jaroslav Slobodnik – Coordinator of the Joint Danube Surveys 4 and Joint Black Sea surveys

Germany This year, Bavarians also celebrated JDS4 in conjunction with Dan- ube Day on the 29th of June and in close partnership with their Austrian neighbours. The festivities took place at the “Haus am Strom” in Untergriesbach, very close to the Austro-German border in Jochenstein, a short distance from Passau.

Romania An article about JDS4 will be published in a special edition of the magazine Hidrotehnica. This special issue was also dedicated to Danube Day 2019. To raise awareness of JDS4, the Romanian Min- istry of Waters and Forests published a press release on national media channels, presenting the survey to the general public on the 27th of June and circulated further press information a month later. Looking forward, a special press release due to cover the first results of the micro-plastics analysis from the Giurgiu sampling area is expected on the 26th of August and an additional press release on national media channels in September will cover the Slovakia five month (April-September) special monitoring of micro-plastics In Slovakia, JDS4 was launched in conjunction with Danube Day carried our in the Galați section of the river. 2019's celebration with an event on the on 22nd of June 2019 at the Gabčíkovo Dam. Researchers participating in the JDS4 project were on hand to provide information about the JDS event to members of the public. JDS4 was further promoted on ships during cruises on the Danube on the 27th of June as part of the Dan- ube Day 2019 celebrations organised by the Ministry of Environ- ment SR. Furthermore, the story of the Joint Danube Survey was covered in the press, along with a short summary published in the journal for water managers titled Vodohospodársky spravodajca.

DANUBE WATCH 13 What's Getting Through?

Wastewater Treatment Plant Testing as Part of JDS4

his year, the fourth Joint Danube Sur- ment plants and proposed specific plants Once all of the necessary samples have vey (JDS4) is being undertaken with at which testing and monitoring could take been collected, they will be sent to T an expanded scope and new areas place. These locations are: JDS4-designated laboratories for in depth of testing to determine the health of the analysis. The raw data acquired through Danube River Basin. Among the many new Germany: Donauwörth this process can then be compiled, ana- and exciting testing parameters being im- Austria: Linz-Asten lysed and the findings will be published. plemented is the testing of water quality of Czech Republic: Hodonin The specific findings will expand on pre- inflow and outflow waste water at wastewa- Slovakia: Bratislava viously gathered data on water quality at ter treatment plants (WWTP) within the re- Hungary: Gyor other wastewater treatment plants. gion. Inadequate management of municipal Slovenia: Novo mesto (Ločna) wastewater is one of the core problems in Croatia: Županja With this data collected as part of JDS4, the Danube River Basin. The contamination Serbia: Šabac ICPDR can better advise countries and in- of groundwater and rivers with untreated Romania: Giurgiu dustry in the Danube River Basin on steps wastewater can be harmful in many ways Bulgaria: Vratsa that may need to be taken to better the and the long-term effects of such pollution Ukraine: Uzhgorod health of the region’s waterways. Gauging reduce biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems the efficiency of wastewater treatment as and affect human water uses – especially Sampling took place at both inflow and af- well as what harmful substances may be drinking water. Microorganisms can spread fluent (already treated water) and was car- bypassing the plants’ systems is extreme- disease, the decomposition of organic ma- ried out by flow-proportional or time-pro- ly important, an exciting new area of test- terials can cause oxygen depletion in rivers portional automatic samplers according ing for ICPDR’s Joint Danube Surveys and and lakes and toxic substances in wastewa- to local conditions. Manual sampling may a source of information on the quality of ter can accumulate in living organisms. also be necessary in certain cases. Sam- wastewater, particularly in terms of - haz pling was performed over one day to get ardous substances. Of the many countries within the Danube composite samples at the WWTP for or- River Basin, 11 reacted positively to the ganic target parameters, heavy metals and idea of monitoring at wastewater treat- general parameters.

14 DANUBE WATCH Happy 40th, VIC!

© all photos, UNIS his year marks the 40th anniversary na for the United Nations system. A site on the time, Karin Kneissl, and by the -Presi of the Vienna International Cen- the left bank of the River Danube was then dent of the Vienna Provincial Parliament, T tre (VIC), seat of numerous United chosen for the proposed international cen- Ernst Woller. In an official ceremony, Sec- Nations, UN-affiliated and non-profit- or tre. Hundreds of architects from all over the retary-General Guterres signed Vienna's ganisations. Vienna is one of the four UN world competed to design the new UN cen- Golden Book of Honour at the City Hall and headquarters world-wide, alongside New tre, and Austrian architect Johann Staber's attended a reception hosted by the City of York City, Geneva and Nairobi. Vienna is submission was eventually selected. In Vienna to honour the anniversary. also the only city within the European Un- 1972, construction of the VIC finally began ion to host one of these UN headquarters. and took seven years to complete. Once Aside from the official events, a wide range Furthermore, as the seat of around 40 finished, the Austrian government handed of activities have been planned throughout international organisations and well over over the VIC complex to the United Nations Austria and in Vienna specifically including 300 bilateral and multilateral diplomatic and IAEA for the symbolic rental sum of one an Open House Day on 8th of September at representations - with around 3,800 dip- Austrian schilling (the equivalent of € 0.07 the Vienna International Centre itself. The lomats and more than 6,000 international today) per year for 99 years. The VIC com- open house highlighted the 40th anniversa- officials - Vienna is a major hub of interna- plex, as it stands today, covers an area of ry with exhibitions, films and presentations tional diplomacy even outside of the Unit- 180,000 m² and has extraterritorial status. about the work of the UN organisations that ed Nations presence. call the VIC home. The wide-ranging spec- The VIC has emerged as a hub for the trum of topics covered by Vienna-based History of the Vienna International Centre promotion of peace, security, sustainable UN organisations was well represented by Vienna was selected as a location for a development, disarmament and non-pro- information stands manned by official staff United Nations seat due to its historic sig- liferation of nuclear weapons. Notably, the who were excited to address the general nificance, the large number of international VIC is also where the ICPDR Secretariat has public and provide information about their organisations and non-profit organisations called home for its 25 years of existence. organisations. The ICPDR also took part in already located in the city and because of the festivities, spreading the word of trans- Austria's neutrality. This neutrality and Vi- Commemorating 40 Years boundary water resources management to enna's geographic location already made To celebrate four decades of the United a highly engaged public. The open house it a vitally important centre of international Nations in Vienna and the Vienna - Inter was an unmitigated success with over 3,000 diplomacy during the Cold War. Therefore, national Centre, UN Secretary-General visitors taking the opportunity to tour the it only made sense for its diplomatic impor- António Guterres visited the VIC during his VIC and to learn all about the work of the tance to be expanded and reinforced with first official visit to Vienna on Mayth 27 . The UN in Vienna, and that of the ICPDR. Our the addition of a United Nations centre. Secretary-General was welcomed by the organisation definitely made its mark with Directors General of the UN organisations our custom-made Joint Danube Survey bags In 1966, the Government of Austria offered based here, by Mayor Michael Ludwig, and hundreds of Danube Basin overview to construct an international centre in Vien- by Austria's Minister of Foreign Affairs at maps hungrily picked up.

DANUBE WATCH 15 Clash of titans: Science and Communication By Catherine Buchwald

E ven though science and communication are separate fields, both have much in common: they study aspects within their subject matter and make use of analysis. Ideally, science and communication go hand in hand to serve each other’s purpose, sharing obtained information with the public.

Why communication matters and is crucial to every scientist

Communication offers scientists the Among other things, such a plan defines, for example, the chance to share news within their famous “5 Ws” (who, what, when, where, and why) as well field of expertise, their knowledge as the “how”, and is complemented by social media usage and what they are, or were, working statistics and press reviews. Timing, frequency, quality, for- on with their peers, the media and the mat, community involvement and press contacts too have general public. For many scientists, it is part an important impact. Furthermore, collaborations with part- of their job to write proposals and papers, give ner organisations and institutes can foster the promotion of presentations and talks as well as to share facts and relevant topics but also general branding. Imagine scientists research results. had to deal with all outreach efforts on top of their work? Overloaded, the chances of one of the two parts getting (un- Outreach efforts can be a useful tool to share with intentionally) cut short would be very high. a broader audience and to promote a scientist’s work and knowledge. Beyond self-promotion, how- Challenges for science and communication ever, effective communication can help to increase public understanding of a matter and allocate (fur- All too often, scientists and communication professionals ther) funding for projects, research equipment can experience mild clashes when working together. The and staff, and, therefore, shape the scientific reasons can be quite diverse, from scientific topics being cut landscape and its further development. In short or simplified too much, to timing issues, wording, lack- a nutshell, communication has the potential ing photo quality, information sharing and/or general misun- to make a difference and help push scientific derstandings between the two fields. In the end, both fields work to reach its full potential. need to realise that they need each other: the scientists, to get the word out, and the communication experts for some- What makes communication good and effec- thing to talk about and stories to share. In the best case, this tive and why professional communicators are means material relevant to a big group of people yet also needed easy enough to understand for every reader.

Traditional media, online and social media offer Let’s imagine how a typical misunderstanding could play plenty of ways to address target groups and to out: a scientist writes about the Danube, but without fur- share scientific topics. Merely getting the rele- ther elaboration, that: “the water quality in Germany im- vant messages out whenever will not do the proved all the way to Ingolstadt”. job though. At their best, communication and outreach efforts are built strategically As a scientist and anybody familiar with the flow of the Dan- to conform to their target audience, which ube, this makes sense. Europe’s second-largest river indeed is defined in every communication plan. passes Ingolstadt, and its water quality would have been of

16 DANUBE WATCH Catherine Buchwald is a communications professional with experience working for several international organisations and associations in diverse fields such as nuclear security, EU law, migration and health.

How communication helps with JDS4 good quality further upstream from this Bavarian city. How- The goal of JDS4 is to collect data on special pa- ever, this stand-alone sentence with no further explanation rameters, not normally analysed and certainly may lead the general reader to ask whether the author of not in such a comparable way across the Dan- such a sentence was tipsy, as Germany and Ingolstadt were ube River Basin. Additionally, raising awareness mentioned as though the latter were not located in the same of the Danube’s water quality, ongoing protec- country. What’s more, it states 'water' in general (so ground- tion efforts and full implementation of the EU’s water, sewage, etc. right?) For this reason, the communica- Water Framework Directive (WFD) are vital to tions person will suggest adding or editing this sentence for the project. But how to harmonise communica- the benefit of readers who do not know the Danube’s route. tion and science?

Even though this sounds like peanuts to most readers, in re- Along with a unified international social me- ality, such little things keep science and communication staff dia campaign (under the hashtag #JDS4), busy and make their joint work quite cumbersome. The more this year's survey's new approach at the often such situations occur, the more the scientists may feel local level keeps local scientists and local teased, while the communications person might wonder at communicators in close touch. National what point in life the scientist started to forget how to write teams deal with both scientific methodol- for non-scientists. ogies and their own communication contact points, creating a synergy that's increasing public Another example: imagine our staff working together and try- relevance and accessibility while assuring scientist ing to involve the public. Press releases including photos and the final say over accuracy when portraying their contacts are getting passed to media outlets, reports and pub- work. JDS4 has seen unprecedented local media lications are going online and yet the efforts still don’t bring coverage in Hungary and Serbia, above average the desired results… No coverage in newspapers, TV or radio; public turnout at events in Romania and piles no one expressing their interest through calls, emails or online of social media posts in Austria and Ukraine. comments; expert talks are barely attended and, if so, just by It is a testament to just how mutually ben- other specialists in the field. So, how does one get other people eficial closer synergies between science engaged? That is where campaigning needs to be re-thought, and communication staff can be. to translate scientific work into media capital: could a partnership with another organisation or governmental body improve the situation? Would a testimonial or famous personality as ambassador help? Perhaps a new approach of this kind could be of benefit to our projects. Let’s look at how it worked with JDS4 website: one of our flagship collaborations between science and communication: the fourth Joint Danube Survey (JDS4). http://www.danubesurvey.org/ jds4/about

DANUBE WATCH 17 What is the Magic Silver Box Telling Us? How we test for micro-plastics in the Danube by Philipp Hohenblum, Expert for Plastics and Micro-plastics at the Environment Agency Austria

ith an increased concern about ube River and of the real pressure on the Romania) to measure the presence of the presence of micro-plastic environment. micro-plastics. Samples were taken by Wcontaminants in global water means of passive samplers, which were sources ranging from the oceans to rivers Regarding JDS4 itself, there will be a more originally designed for the sampling of to lakes around the world, there is a more active role for national authorities to carry suspended particulate matter. By this urgent need for testing. out monitoring. This enables participat- principle, suspended material is allowed ing countries to further engage with the to settle in a specialised box that has been A study in the Austrian stretch of the Dan- project, adopting new, innovative and tai- placed in the river which can be analysed ube River led by the Environment Agency lor-made approaches that work best for later on. This analysis will be carried out Austria revealed a certain contamination them. It is expected that this approach will in a centralised location. Sampling for of micro-plastics and other studies show lead to a more flexible and effective process micro-plastics in Austria was carried out that micro-plastics are ubiquitous in and, most importantly, to better results. We by experts from the Environment Agency freshwater systems. Pollution is a trans- want to foster more coordination and even Austria and the Austrian activities were boundary issue and needs to be tackled more improvements for JDS, helping coun- coordinated by the Ministry for Sustaina- at an EU (or even global) level. For these tries to share their experiences, exchange bility and Tourism. Samplers were devel- reasons, it was necessary to include mi- ideas and harmonise their processes. oped and built by funds of the German cro-plastics in the recent fourth Joint Dan- Environmental Agency and ownership has ube Survey (JDS4). With this investigation, The surveys were conducted along the graciously been transferred to the users. consistent data along the entire river and entire river at 15 sampling sites that some of its tributaries will be produced to have been chosen by the participating At this stage, the results of this investigation get a first baseline overview of both mi- countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, are not yet available. Therefore, we do not cro-plastic contamination within the Dan- The Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia and know the precise nature or concentration of

18 DANUBE WATCH © all photos, Susanne Brandstetter, BMNT the plastic and micro-plastic contaminants Generally speaking, around 5-13 Million Waste management in countries with less in the Danube. The material which has tons of macro- and micro-plastics enter developed systems should obviously be im- been collected was made up of very fine the oceans annually on a global scale, of proved. European industry is encouraged to particles indistinguishable to the naked eye which 1.5 Million tons are micro-plastics. transfer knowledge, technology and good from other natural material. From a previ- In the EU, some 75,000 to 300,000 tons of practices to other industrial sites, thus ad- ous study, carried out by the Environment micro-plastics are emitted into the envi- dressing the global market and increased Agency Austria on behalf of the Ministry for ronment every year. Almost all of the mi- producer responsibility. Adding to this, the Sustainability and Tourism, we know that cro-plastics come from land-based sourc- concept of a circular economy as leverage micro-plastics are found in the entire water es via run-off or waste water treatment, to reduce plastic emissions into the envi- column. Larger items can be stopped and which end up in rivers and, ultimately, ronment is a promising idea. By closing the removed by hydropower plants, others pass reach the oceans. Rivers are major con- circle, waste would be re-integrated into through and generally end up at the river tributors to marine micro-plastic levels the value chain and therefore emissions to banks. and this fact is why the data currently the environment would be reduced. being collected and analysed is critically There are several main sources of mi- important. Littering appears to be a relevant source cro-plastic contamination. One way these of plastic entering the environment. An- contaminants enter the river system is Once the samples have all been tested and ti-litter actions need to be implemented due to the fact that micro-plastics are the data analysed, the results will be able by waste associations in order to prevent deliberately added to consumer products to be put to use to inform current river waste and litter from entering the environ- like cosmetics and detergents and then management and environmental policies. ment through the careful use of resourc- make their way into waterways through At the EU level, the Network of Environ- es. Austria's planned 2020 ban on plastic wastewater. Another way is abrasion of ment Agencies has already contributed ac- grocery bags is another example of how tires and road particles or the result of tively to the development of the EU Plastic to help prevent plastic litter from entering industrial processes such as production, Strategy, a vehicle to reduce plastic leakage the environment. conversion and transportation, loss of ar- into the environment. The Environment tificial turfs or construction sites and final- Agency of Austria has already contributed Regarding traffic and tire wear as well as ly secondary micro-plastics which break to the strategy within the Network of Euro- building/construction, need for action has away from degraded plastic waste in the pean Environment Agencies and will assist been identified and appropriate measures environment. with its full implementation. have to be developed.

One important aspect of testing is deter- Moreover, reports on bio-plastics and on Finally, a ban of micro-plastics as primary mining where the highest concentrations littering have been developed to assist materials would be necessary. The Euro- of micro-plastics appear in the Danube. the European Commission in its decision pean Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is about We do not have clear data on whether making processes. Results have been dis- to propose such restrictions on the use of the concentrations of these materials dif- seminated in dedicated conferences ad- micro-plastics intentionally added to confer between urban, rural and industrial dressing all stakeholders along the value sumer products. stretches of the river yet but do expect to chain. The Environment Agency of Austria get answers through this survey. However, will take a leading role in the network and Through the combined efforts of research urban areas and areas with high anthropo- continue consulting with the European and action, the threat of micro-plastic con- genic activity (roads etc.) are, of course, Commission. tamination can be addressed and, eventu- prone to having higher concentrations of ally, solved in a sustainable way. National plastics and micro-plastics in general. Further steps that could add to a collective and international actors across the Danube solution to the very serious threat that mi- River Basin are working together toward JDS4 also hopes to get a better understand- cro-plastic contamination poses are varied this goal and the conclusions drawn from ing of what the proportion of micro-plas- but very achievable with concerted and co- JDS4 will provide the knowledge needed to tics as a part of general plastic pollution is. ordinated efforts. direct informed action.

DANUBE WATCH 19 Cooperation and Testing: A Faecal Matter

All along the Danube, as part of the fourth Joint Danube Survey and in cooperation with the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Wien), the Medical University of Graz (MedUni Graz), the Technical University of Vienna (TU Wien) and the Karl Landsteiner Private University for Health Sciences in Krems, researchers have taken samples and conducted tests to determine the levels of contamination by faecal matter in the river and its main tributaries.

general goal of JDS4 is to determine cific problem zones along the flow of the analysis of proportions and origin of fae- the chemical and biological stand- Danube to be identified and addressed via cal contaminants along the entire Danube A ing of the entire river from its head- concerted efforts. with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant, waters in Germany to its mouth at the clinically highly-important bacteria as well Black Sea. This means systematic testing The results, as released so far, look posi- as their resistance genes”. To this end, an at predetermined sites along the roughly tive and underline a trend toward better entirely new concept was developed for 2,600km of waterways within the Danube water quality that has been progressing the first time also making possible quanti- River Basin. To achieve this daunting task, forward for years now. Relative improve- tative statements about the expansion of scientific experts from the above-men- ments in faecal contamination were de- antibiotic resistance among the main wa- tioned universities worked together to tected in the waters of Serbia, Hungary ter pollutants in such a large river. Water take samples and test these for faecal bac- and Romania. “Happily, the situation and microfilm tests (of stones and branch- teria contamination. in Hungary has improved immediately es) were taken along the Danube and eight downstream from Budapest”. Says Pro- of its most important tributaries, and then Testing the levels of faecal contaminants fessor Alexander Kirschner from the In- processed and analysed in six partner lab- within the Danube River Basin allows ex- stitute for Hygiene and Applied Immunol- oratories in Germany, Austria, Hungary, perts to determine the existence of dan- ogy at the Medical University of Vienna, Serbia and Romania. Testing took place at gerous bacteria such as E.coli and whether where the Inter-university Centre for Wa- these river locations in the centre as well these bacteria are present in amounts that ter and Health is located. as along the right and left banks of the river could potentially be a detriment to the in cooperation with external fish experts. health of the people who use the river as a Kirschner further clarified that “the main source of drinking water or even as a place goal of the microbiological examination The most important results concerning for recreation. These tests also enable spe- this time lies with the first linkage of the the levels of faecal-germs (E.coli) are al-

20 DANUBE WATCH Cooperation and Testing: A Faecal Matter

ready available and further analysis is un- time, a positive result likely due to the Aside from the expansion of fundamental derway. As was the case with the previous building of a central water treatment scientific knowledge, this work will also surveys, the highest levels within the Dan- plant in the Hungarian capital, according provide national and regional authori- ube were in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. to the experts. ties with some important decision-mak- “In Serbia, levels of faecal contamination ing tools. This will lead to better Danube in the Danube ranged from critical to From the beginning, there was the as- management, and enable an improved strong, especially downstream from large sumption that there could be high levels focus on microbiological water quality. cities like Novi Sad and Belgrade”, clari- of contaminants in Austria due to river- The data collected will also deliver impor- fied Project Partner Gernot Zarfel from borne freight and navigation on the Dan- tant information that can be put to use the Diagnostic and Research Institute for ube. However, this was not found to be in activities defined by the World Health Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental the case in the investigation. As the re- Organisation within the framework of Medicine at Med Uni Graz. sults of a measurement programme im- the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial plemented by Lower Austria since March Resistance as well as the EU Action Plan Strong faecal matter contamination was 2019 already showed, the faecal con- Against Antimicrobial Resistance, in which also found in the Rusenski Lom (Bulgaria) tamination levels at the testing locations special surveys of antibiotic resistance in and Arges (Romania) tributaries, though along the Austrian Danube sections – with water will be called for. levels in the Arges (an outlet channel one exception – were all within the low to for sewage from the capital Bucharest) moderate scale. The single case that was showed a marked improvement com- slightly over the highest value allowed pared to previous years. “That is likely for moderate levels (1000 E.coli/100ml) due to the building of the main water was in a sample taken directly down- treatment plant in this city of over a mil- stream from the water treatment plant lion inhabitants”, explained Zarfel. The Abwinden/Asten (1050 E.coli/100ml). Ac- strong contamination within the Danube cording to Kirschner, “This is absolutely as a result of sewage that was diagnosed at a level that is to be expected for a river in previous years in Hungary downstream of this size in areas near sewage treat- from Budapest could not be found this ment plants following current standards”.

Danube Day has become the largest river festival in the world, with huge festivities on the riverbanks, public meetings and edu cational events. It is also a basin-wide celebration reflecting the diversity of the region. It pays tribute to the vital role the Danube and its tributaries play in people's lives: providing water, food, power, recreation and livelihoods. Coordination is carried out by the ICPDR’s Public Participation Expert Group (PP EG) at the international level – providing branded goods, give-aways such as the Danube Day bags, hotly tipped fashion items; nationally, member countries and partners organise the events with support from local corporate partners.

When the ICPDR began planning the first Danube Day, it was never dreamt that it would grow into the massive event that it is today. Back then, active partners numbered around 150 and there were 100 events taking place. Now, the ICPDR and more than 450 partner organisations plan and coordinate over 200 events in 14 countries around the Danube region. The ICPDR would like to take this opportunity to highlight an array of the wide-ranging events that take place every year to give an idea of the fantastic versatility of Danube Day!

2004 2005 The first Danube Day in history. A strong start with Greet the Danube. A wave of sound united Dan- more than 100 individual events throughout the Dan- ube peoples as ships throughout the basin sound- ube River Basin. The celebration highlighted the 10th ed their horns in tribute to the river. Organised by anniversary of the Danube River Protection Conven- Global Water Partnership. tion, signed on 29 June 1994 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

2007 AD International “Waters Unite” Bicycle Tour. An annual event, the bicycle tour took cyclists on a mammoth journey from Krems to Györ, travelling through the floodplains of Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, and getting a chance to explore the land- 2006 scape, animals and plants across the basin. Swimming the Danube. American Mimi Hughes swam the 2,850km of the Danube River from its source in Donaueschingen, Germany. Mimi, a 49 year-old wife and mother of four children, swam the Danube on a personal mission of social and environmental steward- ship. Using the experience of her previous swims (from Alaska to Russia and the length of the Tennessee River, 2008 USA), her journey raised awareness of the importance of international cooperation for social responsibility Vukovar Film Festival. Spectacular Danube scenes and the preservation of the environment. were on-show at the 2008 Vukovar Film Festival, the result of a new collaboration between the ICPDR and the Danube-focused international film event. 2015 2016 Sava 2015 Cycling Tour. Six cyclists took on the gru- Opening of the International Danube Festival Ulm/ elling 870km 4-country tour in 2015 to promote Dan- Neu-Ulm. A riot of colour was unveiled at the festi- ube solidarity. Travelling the length of the Sava Basin, val's opening ceremony, when 650 hand-painted flags from source to mouth, the trek began in the Sloveni- were proudly paraded along the riverbank. The flags an mountains of Kranjska Gora and continued through provide a stunning symbol of the historical, political, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to Belgrade in Serbia. economic and cultural diversity of the Danube Basin. Each was designed by Serbian artist, Dragan Matic, working with the Novi Sad Art Academy. 2014 WWF Caravan for a Living Danube. WWF and Co- 2017 ca-Cola teamed up to highlight the world's most international river and its floodplains in a 7-year project International Workshop on Flood Protection- Edu to renaturalize and restore floodplain areas in 6 coun- cation in Bucharest. Organised by Hungary's EUSDR tries. As part of this, WWF launched a 'Caravan for a Priority Area-5 Coordination Office and the Faculty Living Danube’ in Belgrade on Danube Day. Providing of Water Science at the National University of Public educational workshops, it toured Austria, Bulgaria, Service, the event promoted the Flood Protection Ed- Croatia, Hungary, Romania and Serbia until the end of ucation Network amongst universities and vocational summer 2015. schools in the Danube region.

2018 Pirates' Plastic Regatta on the Borzhava River. As part of Ukraine's festival in Kvasovo, children designed and built magnificent model boats using recycled plastic, which were later launched onto the 2013 river. The initiative was a joint project of Hungary's Danube Camp at Dunasziget Eco Park. 30 young re- PET CUPA, the All-Ukrainian Ecological League and searchers from across the region gathered in Hungary the Uzhgorod Regatta. for the inaugural IAD Danube Camp to promote international cooperation and knowledge sharing.

2012 International Blue Week. Blue Week is an initiative of the Danube Competence Centre working with city/municipal authorities to celebrate the Danube through music, carnivals, theatre, workshops, sport and exhibitions. The three Danube-dedicated days took place in Vidin and Donji Milanovac in Bulgaria and Kladovo in Serbia.

2011 Danube Day at European Parliament. An initiative of MEPs from Romania, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slo- vakia and Austria resulted in the opening of a Danube Day photo exhibition - Treasures of the Danube - at the European Parliament.

2010 2009 UNDP-GEF Workshop on Land and Water Management in the 2nd ICPDR Stakeholder Forum, Bratislava. A major Upper Tisza. Dilove, in Western Ukraine, saw a joint Ukraini- stakeholder conference that brought together or- an-Romanian workshop examining progress on the Tisza man- ganisations from across the agricultural, industrial, agement plan, pollution control, flood management and res- commercial and environmental sectors to discuss the toration. 200 children undertook river bank clean-up and tree management of the Danube River. planting Danube Day 2019: Get active for a healthier Danube! The ICPDR would like to thank everyone involved in Danube Day 2019. 5. Read about events and organisers at www.danubeday.org.

GERMANY 1 Bavarians celebrated in close partnership with their Austrian neighbours with at the border, including demonstrations of taking SLOVAKIA 4 and analysing samples. 3. Baden-Württembergers on 2,000 people attended the other hand, held an Danube Day events at the afternoon of Danube-related Gabčíkovo Dam in June activities for kids, including featuring river cruises on handicraft workshops with the Danube, a ´dog rescue 4. kids, book-reading sessions, squad‘ demonstration, a the creation of a ‘Danube huge foam show, environ- fish tank’ (built inside a shoe mental quizzes, a show box) and a ‘raft’ (made of by Slovak singer Karmen recycled wine corks)! Pál-Baláž, and more. People could also take the chance to visit the hydropower 1. plant during free tours.

SLOVENIA 6 Danube Day 2019 in Slove- 2 . nia was celebrated with the International Conference ‘Live with Water’ in Odsre- BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 8 da/Bistrica ob Sotli, on 31 Educational workshops May–1 June 2019. The main throughout Bosnia-Herzego- aim of conference was to vina introduced schoolchil- enhance education (focused dren and adults to the plant on primary and secondary and animal life of the river schools) for sustainable use THE CZECH REPUBLIC 2 on Danube Day 2019, raising of water resources and to awareness about conservati- As in previous years, Czech promote climate change on and river protection. festivities were focused in adaptation measures in 2019 in the Moravia-Silesia local river basins. More than region, centred in the village 80 teachers from Slovenia of Mosty u Jablunkova. The and Croatia participated SERBIA 9 village dedicated its annual HUNGARY 5 in the event. The event ‘Children’s Day’ to the Dan- was also joined by Péter Three days of events rea- Serbia hosted swathes of ube River, with river-themed Kovács, president of ICPDR. ched thousands of people Danube Day 2019 celebra- puzzles and creative eco The participants formed across Hungary for Danube tions across the country, activities. Events were also and confirmed a resolution Day 2019. These include a organised with the support hosted in Prague and Brno, named ‘Live with water’, host of activities including of the Republic Water educating the public on which was also presented a fireboat demonstration Directorate. The core central Austro-Czech transboundary and applauded at the 8th and firefighter orchestra on event took place in Belgrade cooperation. Sava Youth Parliament. Budapest‘s Margaret Island; however, aiming to reach races, music and cooking in elementary schoolchildren the city of Győr; and a “Safer and young Serbians with workshops on the impor- AUSTRIA 3 Danube” focus at the annual Györkőc Kid Festival. CROATIA 7 tance of rivers and methods for their sustainable use and Vienna’s Stadtpark hosted Hrvatske Vode celebrated long-term preservation – over a dozen stalls present- Danube Day 2019 along plus a program of ballet and ing the biodiversity, cultural the riverbanks in the form other performances! diversity, and natural im- of children’s education portance of the Danube to with picture books and the public. Over 1,000 local a workshop. Employees schoolchildren were also in- from Croatia’s Main Water vited to test their knowledge Management lab also in an exciting ‘puzzle rally’, showed the kids how to experiment with water, or perform water analysis, get creative at one of the measuring dissolved oxygen many drawing and crafting and nutrients in river water, stations. and comparing samples of polluted and clean water. Danube Day 2019: Get active for a healthier Danube! 6. 7. The ICPDR would like to thank everyone involved in Danube Day 2019. Read about events and organisers at www.danubeday.org. 8.

MONTENEGRO 10 9. This year, Danube Day was BULGARIA 12 held in the mountaintops area of the Tara River Bulgaria hosted over 30 initi- Canyon, Đurđevića Tara. The atives for Danube Day 2019. event was held in coopera- The event-packed program tion with the the Ministry of included festivals, open Agriculture and Rural Devel- air events, environmental opment, and the ŽABLJAK events, exhibitions, triathlon tourism organisation. Games racing, discussions and town and information were there celebrations. More than to help the young public 5,700 people participated in UKRAINE 14 learn about the importance all the initiatives, including At the Danube Delta in of protecting and conserving events in Vidin, and a fish Kiliya, an event was hosted rivers of habitats and the festival in Kozloduy and featuring a variety of voices need for rational use of Nikopol, river stone painting a faces regarding water 10. water resources. in Oryahovo they painted on management. Experts from river stone, and a Danube the Dnipro basin within the quiz in Gulyantsi. frame of the EU’s Water Initiative project shared information, while the Joint Danube and Black Sea Sur- MOLDOVA 13 veys were presented to the public. A live sampling also ROMANIA 11 At the centre of 2019’s Dan- took place, demonstrating ube Day events in Moldova Each of Romania’s 11 water how the process works right was the Folc Festival in the basin authorities hosted there on the banks of the village of Giurgiulesti located events, including boat cruis- Danube. just on the confluence of the es, educational activities, Prut and Danube, involving riverbank cleaning actions, overt 100 artists in tradi- riverdam field visits, and 11. tional music, dance, and art. more. “I would like not to re- Other activities included the member the importance of presentation of some 50 Danube River only during the artworks for the Danube Art anniversaries. Moment by Master competition, plus moment, citizens, specialists, a bike tour along the Prut all of us, must be responsi- river, from Ungheni to its ble. We must be active for confluence with the Danube a Safer Danube!” - Mr. Ioan (around 220 km). Denes, Minister of Waters and Forest of Romania at Danube Day in Braila. 12 .

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Tristan Bath is a British onsultantc and writer living in Vienna. He began consulting at the ICPDR in 2019, and has previously received bylines in a variety of publications in the EU and US. ICPDR – International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River Secretariat, Vienna International Center, D0412, P.O. Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria, Tel: +43/1/260 60-5738, Fax: +43/1/260 60-5895 e-mail: [email protected], www.icpdr.org