TETHYS is an Interreg Danube Region project addressing the urgent challenge of hazardous substances (HS) pollution in water across the Danube River Basin, in the context of major EU legislative changes and increasing pressures such as climate change, energy crises, and market disruptions. Named after the ancient Greek goddess of freshwaters, the project responds to the need for coordinated action at both national and transnational levels, supporting Danube countries in developing harmonised, cost-efficient and target-oriented procedures to better monitor, assess and manage hazardous substances in water resources.

TETHYS takes a holistic approach, covering the full chain from monitoring and advanced chemical analysis to data management, emission modelling and risk assessment, with a strong focus on emerging pollutants such as PFAS and pharmaceuticals. By aligning know-how, methods and tools between EU and non-EU countries, the project develops shared databases, emission inventories and assessment tools, supported by interlaboratory comparisons and jointly agreed protocols. Its key outcome is a joint, evidence-based strategy for hazardous substances management, to be incorporated into the Danube River Basin Management Plan 2027, ensuring more effective, future-oriented protection of water quality across the entire basin.

 

Basic information

Start date: 01-01-2024

End date: 30-06-2026

Budget in Euro: Overall: 2.937.185

Priority: A greener, low- carbon Danube Region

Specific objective: Sustainable, integrated, transnational water and sediment management in the Danube River Basin

More information is available via the following website: DRP-TETHYS