ICPR – International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine

246. Micropollutants in the Rhine Catchment Area Summary 2017

Since 2008, the ICPR has compiled information regarding the relevance of various micropollutants in the Rhine catchment area, and approaches to reducing water pollution. It has published the findings in various technical reports on groups of substances.

Based on the ICPR technical reports and the summary strategy for municipal and industrial wastewater (item 19 of the ministerial communiqué), the 2013 Conference of Rhine Ministers commissioned the ICPR:

  • to put together a summary of the developments identified after three years (i.e. in 2017, for the years 2014, 2015, 2016)
  • to further decide which joint measures should be taken to reduce the influx of micropollutants via the main influx pathways (in particular urban wastewater).

Technical Report No. 246 details the current pollution of the Rhine with micropollutants and the mitigation strategies already launched in the relevant countries.

It is clear that all of the countries are taking action in terms of micropollutants, and that progress can be noted in many areas.