TRUST ALUM project addresses one of the major challenges in water management in the Baltic Sea Region ‒ eutrophication, that leads to excessive algal blooms, which in turn may harm ecosystems and human health. Many lakes in the region still suffer from high phosphorus loads due to past mismanagement. If not addressed, these phosphorus hot spots will continue to harm the Baltic Sea.

Our solution is to promote the ALUM water treatment method, which effectively reduces eutrophication in heavily polluted lakes. ALUM involves adding a phosphorus-binding salt (polyaluminium chloride or PAC) to permanently capture phosphorus in lake's sediments. ALUM treatment is not a harmful chemical treatment, cost-effective and provides long-lasting benefits. Although ALUM has been successfully used in Swedish lakes for over 60 years with many positive examples, it has not been adopted in the Baltic countries. The main barriers include a lack of know-how, skepticism about the outcomes, perceived high costs, and fears about the safety of aluminum.

Our project aims to build trust in the ALUM method among target groups by demonstrating its effectiveness and safety for lakes. We will foster the broader adoption of the method by creating supportive tools and establishing expertise linking hub to share the knowledge and good practices. By overcoming identified barriers and challenges, our project will enhance water quality in the region. Interreg BSR funding is crucial for this initiative, as it supports the demonstration and dissemination activities, helping us to prove the effectiveness of the ALUM method and promote its adoption on a wider scale.