ICPR – International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine

New Basel wastewater treatment plant Basel with 4th treatment stage inaugurated

The ICPR was present when the new wastewater treatment plant in Basel was inaugurated on 18 April. Following a construction period of around 10 years and investments of approximately €350 million, one of the most modern wastewater treatment plants in Europe has been established. Thanks to the 4th treatment stage, micropollutants and nutrients can be removed more effectively from the wastewater of 500,000 people and several industrial areas. This project underlines Switzerland’s commitment to downstream countries. The Rhine is becoming cleaner, and the 30% reduction target for micropollutants by 2040 is now more achievable.

Press Release: The ICPR has a new president

The chairmanship of the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) rotates regularly and will be handed over from Germany to France in January 2026. Lionel Berthet will succeed Miriam Haritz, who held the chairmanship of the Commission from 2023 to 2025, for a three-year term.

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Interim report shows first positive developments regarding micropollutants in the Rhine

In December 2025, the ICPR published its first interim report on the monitoring of discharges of micropollutants in the Rhine river basin. Despite positive developments, particularly in wastewater treatment plants, further efforts are needed in all emission areas in order to achieve the target set in the ‘Rhine 2040’ programme. 

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