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Executive summary
In all actions within LIFE IP Rich Waters, activities have been finalised as foreseen in the Grant Agreement or as agreed in modifications communicated with the project monitors or with CINEA.
Direct effects from concrete measures include reduced fluxes of nutrients or environmental pollutants to the aquatic environment, and increased possibility for fish migration and spawning. Many of the methods and tools developed in the LIFE IP are used at the national level or have the potential to be used beyond the river basin district. This includes the method for strategic municipal water planning, assessment of internal loading, water management planning on horse farms and many more. In the theme of connectivity, investigations and cost-benefit analysis cover larger geographical areas and have been disseminated widely. All actions have documented preparations and implementation processes, evaluated effects and formulated main lessons learned. These results are available to all stakeholders in reports published on the LIFE IP Rich Waters website www.richwaters.se.
The target plan of LIFE IP Rich Waters was the River Basin Management Plan of the Northern Baltic Sea River Basin District 2016-2021 (RBMP 2016-2021). The RBMP-Programme of Measures 2016-2021 included 76 policy instrument measures, aiming at national authorities, County Administrative Boards, and municipalities. By the end of the project, LIFE IP Rich Waters had contributed to further the implementation of 26 of these measures.
In 2022 the RBMP 2022-2027 was approved. LIFE IP Rich Waters made several important contributions to this new plan, through results from each thematic area of the project, including methods, decision support tools, reports and assessments developed or tested in actions C1, C2, C3, C5, C6:1, C7, C8, C9, C11, C15 and C18. For example, data on efficiency and costs of measures compiled in action C5 provided basis for calculations of cost-effective reduction of phosphorus and nitrogen. Knowledge from the project has also directly produced new policy, such as the national handbook on measures against internal loading of phosphorus (C1 and C11), which has had an impact on prioritisation of measures against internal loading. Sampling performed in action C18 contributed with new knowledge on occurrence and sources of environmental pollutants in water, which has been introduced into different aspects of the Swedish water management system.
The Pillar approach described in this report illustrates how LIFE IP Rich Waters has targeted the main environmental problems in the Northern Baltic Sea RBD by speeding up the implementation of concrete measures and creating environmental benefits. In total, 2352 water bodies with less than good status were reached by the project, exceeding the expected number.
Examples of key achievements and environmental benefits created:
- Reduced phosphorous load and pollution of priority substances to Lake Mälaren, River Hågaån and Lake Norra Barken through the multifunctional waterparks in Västerås (C10.2), Uppsala (C10.3) and Smedjebacken (C10.4).
- Reduced phosphorous load through aluminium treatment of Lake Norrviken (C13).
- Free migration routes and new spawning areas for fish in Rivers Svartån, Rällsälven och Hedströmmen created through fauna passages with several endangered species observed (C16, C17).
- Reduced loads of environmental pollutants, including PFAS, through pilot plantation of Salix on old landfill in Älvkarleby (C19).
- Development of new techniques for low-low dredging and mussel farming in the Northern Baltic Sea to reduce internal loading and recycling of nutrients (C12 and C14).
- Participatory methods and tools for landowner engagement in reduction of nutrient loss to water bodies and retention of water in the landscape (C6, C7, C8).
- Showcase measures and public awareness raising to increase support for water related measures.
- Support to the development of water planning at several levels – catchment level, municipal level and farm level. Consolidating and sharing knowledge, methods and lessons learnt of relevance to municipalities in planning and implementing measures under the RBMP-PoM (C2).
In addition to quantitative and qualitative environmental benefits, the project has also evaluated 18 actions in terms of creation of social and economic benefits, such as employment, business opportunities, economic resilience, recreational values, local capacity and increased equality.
LIFE IP Rich Waters has also contributed to accelerate the implementation of the RBMP through complementary actions, by increased capacity building and new concrete measures. A total funding through complementary actions of €121 961 139 has been committed and/or spent. Almost 70% of this funding is committed within the thematic area of eutrophication from external sources. Many complementary actions are a direct result of or linked to activities carried out in LIFE IP Rich Waters. The mobilisation of other funds has been a result of activities of the beneficiaries in LIFE IP Rich Waters, as well as of activities within action C4 and of the project management. 31 of the 35 beneficiaries are partners in projects reported as complementary actions.
Throughout the project period, a great focus has been placed on sharing results and lessons learned and communicating the value of water measures. All actions and beneficiaries have contributed to this effort, through media relations, public events and digital channels. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital means such as webinars and video conferences were increasingly used as a complement to physical meetings, conferences, study tours and other external meetings with stakeholders and target groups. Film, infographics, photography and popular science articles were developed to enhance communication activities.
With the exception of action C9, LIFE IP Rich Waters has not encountered any substantial deviations. However, the project has naturally developed over time and adapted its strategies to changing circumstances. As results have been achieved, a stronger focus has been placed on dissemination and project development. Major changes to the project, as communicated with project monitors and/or CINEA:
- The project was extended until 30/06/2025, including most of the actions, to allow for additional activities, monitoring and dissemination of results.
- The construction of a stormwater treatment plant in Vasaparken (C9) was cancelled, for budgetary reasons. However, other actions within LIFE IP Rich Waters have added activities.
A challenge throughout the implementation has been the large number and diversity of beneficiaries in the project. It is a challenge for smaller organisations to set up financial structures that meet EU regulations. This has been addressed by the project management through information, written instructions, and dialogue. However, the challenges were greatly outweighed by the benefits and added value of this broad partnership.