Waste and pollution

As the main result, the pollution to the Baltic Sea from the stormwater systems has been reduced in four pilot sub catchments - Viimsi (EE), Riga (LV), Turku (FI) and Lieto (FI) by applying new solutions in integrated cleaning of stormwater, management quality and real-time monitoring of water quality parameters. All pilots remain in active use of the participating municipalities.

The project Heawater improved water quality in selected small urban rivers by preventing nutrients and hazardous substances inflow from watersheds to Baltic Sea.

Partners from Estonia, Sweden and Finland developed and tested new technological solutions that were specially designed for small rivers to reduce pollution load. The most suitable solution for each selected small river was tested as part of the pilot investments that were carried out in Tallinn, Söderhamn and Turku. Monitoring data shows reduction in concentration of selected indicators more than 10%.

BLASTIC developed new methodology and approaches to map sources, impacts and pathways of marine litter. Mapping approaches were combined with monitoring methods to produce the ‘BLASTIC riverine plastic litter monitoring method’ guidelines.
 
Additionally, BLASTIC also produced a list that identifies and prioritises measures to reduce litter streams from land to sea. The list helps municipalities to create local marine litter action plans. The guidelines and the list are accompanied by a socioeconomic report that looks at the impact of marine litter.