The EMPEREST project supports local authorities, service providers and policy-making community by strengthening the sustainable water management cycle. PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) discharge management is one of the most pressing environmental challenges in the Baltic Sea Region. The holistic approach of the project to the elimination of PFAS and other persistent organic pollutants incorporates regional strategies for monitoring and assessment, technological advances in wastewater treatment, risk management assessment for cities, and training materials for water experts.

The EMPEREST project has four activity strands to fulfil its aims. First, during the implementation years, the project in close cooperation with HELCOM prepares methodological recommendations to monitor PFAS group in the aquatic environment. At the same time, local authorities address the subject on the city level by developing a PFAS risk assessment framework to identify and assess PFAS-related risks and propose relevant risk mitigation strategies.

Further, a large part of the project looks into the wastewater treatment as a point source of organic micropollutants to the environment. EMPEREST supports water utilities to make informed decisions about cost-effective treatment strategies and investment roadmaps for removing PFAS from wastewater streams. The project pilots advanced treatment technologies with mobile pilot containers to collect a comprehensive picture from the region and evaluate its effectiveness and economic viability to remove micropollutants. The aim is to demonstrate the efficient technologies to other water utilities in the region and to scale up their application.

To support this and other activities, capacity development takes place for both local authorities and public service providers to inform them about the recent developments in the field and train them with tailored materials and tools. The training programme will improve professional skills of wastewater management experts to be better prepared to the upcoming regulatory changes regarding micropollutants in effluents, thus strengthening the overall water sector resilience to emerging risks.