- See the press release on the seven consortia on the JPI Waters homepage
- More information about the grant below:
Project title: METAWATER - New METAgenomics and molecular based tools for European scale identification and control of emergent microbial contaminants in irrigation WATER
Project coordinator: Rosina Girones
Danish partner: Charlotta Löfström
Total grant:1,488,904 €
Grant from InnovationsFonden: 481,952 €
Project period: 2015-2017
Partners: University of Barcelona, Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit, State General Laboratory Cyprus, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Technische Universität München, University Rovira i Virgili
Description
Irrigation water may be the source of contamination of fresh vegetables and has been associated to major foodborne epidemics of gastroenteritis and acute hepatitis. The MetaWater project will investigate which pathogenic microorganisms are contaminating irrigation water used in Europe, where they come from, which treatments are more efficient in removing them, and how to improve management of irrigation water and National and International regulations.
From a scientific point of view, we will use most advanced technologies for developing standard protocols for the simultaneous detection of microorganisms in water and will identify existing, emerging and new pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, protozoa and cyanobacteria toxins in all types of water used for irrigation. The results, shared with the public health sector and stakeholders, will contribute to the reduction of the public health risk and to improve water and food safety in Europe.
MetaWater is coordinated by University of Barcelona, with partners from Denmark (Technical University of Denmark), Spain, Germany and Cyprus.