Projects

ETC-BE AMR: Antimicrobial resistance in European surface waters

We need to improve our understanding of the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in surface waters, particularly downstream of urban waste water treatment plants. However, at present there is no European overview of the presence of AMR in surface waters. This project will develop a basic approach and methodology for a European scale AMR monitoring of surface waters.

Project period: 2023 - 2026
Funders: European Environmental Agency (EEA)
External webpages: eionet.europa.eu
Research section: Urban environments and infrastructure
Contact persons: Pawel Krzeminski
Involved from NIVA: Carsten Ulrich Schwermer; Marc Anglès d'Auriac; Mari Gjeitnes; Jannicke Moe

About the project

NIVA leads the European Topic Centre for Biodiversity and Ecosystems (ETC BE), a consortium of 24 partners working in partnership with the European Environment Agency (EEA), with the aim to compile, systematize, and assess the knowledge base for European environmental policies.

Under ETC-BE, in the area of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), NIVA supports and consults the European Environment Agency and the European countries in the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet) in establishing and conducting a pilot survey of AMR presence in surface waters.

As part of the Eionet AMR working group, the ETC-BE AMR project is primarily focused on gaining experience in what can be measured and reported in relation to AMR presence in European surface waters. The main objectives are:

To perform a questionnaire on the current situation and state-of-the-art related to AMR monitoring in European surface waters
To develop a basic approach and draft methodology for a baseline survey of AMR in European surface waters. This includes supporting the Eionet AMR working group in harmonisation of selection of indicator parameters, sampling methods, sample analysis and reporting
To conduct a pilot survey of AMR presence in surface waters
To prepare a pilot dataflow for AMR reporting, as a prelude to developing an EEA dataflow
To identify the public health risk presented by AMR in surface waters
To prepare a technical report/briefing on AMR in the aquatic environment

The aim is to enable the first harmonized data collection and reporting of AMR presence in surface waters at European scale, and thus pave the way for more widespread monitoring in the future.