Climate change is a process that refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate. These changes include an increase in atmospheric temperature, changes in precipitation, changes in the distribution of ice and snow, rising sea levels, and other related effects. The main reason for these changes is the increased emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by humanity, primarily as a result of the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil. We are increasingly struggling with climate change such as droughts or floods, which means that the subject of water is a very important aspect. The WaterMan project promotes water reuse in the Baltic Sea region. It adds a new element to water management that can make water supply more climate resilient.

As part of the WaterMan project, on June 5-6, 2023, a meeting of project partners was held in Schweinfurt. Participants were greeted by the project leader, project manager and representative of the Berlin Center for Competence on Water, who was a host of the meeting.

On the first day there was a study visit to the site of the Nutzwasser project. It is part of the special funding program of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research on the topic: "Water technology: reuse". The aim is to develop new, highly flexible and needs-based management strategies for water reuse for urban and agricultural irrigation in a practical way. During the study visit the participants saw interesting solutions for drinking water treatment, e.g. using ozonation or UV light. Chemical products are often used to purify water, which can have a negative effect on other factors.

There was also a workshop during which where discussed technologies, legal frameworks and how to work with recipients. A representative of the NutzWasser project spoke about problems related to the mentality of people and their approach to water. There is less and less drinking water in the world, so we should ask ourselves: do we have to use tap water for everything, e.g. watering lawns or washing cars? They already started awareness-raising talks with the residents. They have a lot of manufacturing companies in their region that use water to cool their machines. Jörg Drewes, the project leader, talked about his experience and transitions in the project.

In the second part of the workshop, the host of the event KWB (Competence Center Water Berlin) gave a presentation related to the use of water. Topics covered included:

• basic definitions, reclaimed water sources and components
• water reuse options and uses, including potential stakeholders
• water treatment technologies for reuse ("fit for purpose")

The second day of the meeting was devoted to part of the workshop, during which the focus was on water treatment methods and tools. The host of the meeting gave a presentation on risk management and risk assessment in the context of water reuse (with examples from the work of the Berlin Water Competence Centre). The presentation also included an introduction to risk, risk assessment and management according to the WHO and EU Standards for water quality and risk assessment and management according to. methods of quantitative and qualitative risk assessment. An interesting element of the presentation was the chemical and microbiological risk assessment.

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was presented as a decision support tool. It presents the options for choosing the best processing technology for a given purpose, including the benefits and burdens for the environment. A partner from the Berlin Competence Center presented examples of water and how they use the method and possibilities of LCA - Life Cycle Assessment.

Another presentation concerned the review of available tools for preparatory research and the introduction of free external tools to support decision-making in the context of water reuse (MultiReuse tool and Poseidon tool).

Partners from Poland (Gdańsk University of Technology) and Sweden (Kalmar Municipality) continued the discussion on tools supporting water reuse. The WaterMan project will use research tools such as:

• Extreme Weather Layer - a spatial planning system that reduces flood risk in urban areas
• GIS - determining the location of water retention
• Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) - chemical risk assessment

The last part of the day was devoted to a summary of two days of workshop and a study visit. The project manager summarized the partners' talks and each participant had the opportunity to comment on the event.

The available tools and methods of preparatory research during the pilot activities were discussed. Partners discussed the issues that can be explored in surveys. An important aspect pointed out by all the participants was the level of awareness of residents and authorities regarding water resources, their quality and methods of treating and saving drinking water. This will be an important aspect in the project, so that local and regional authorities increase their level of knowledge and awareness of the above-mentioned topic.

Finally, internal issues and the next steps were discussed. The next meetings and study visits were planned in such a way that everyone had the opportunity to enrich their experience and knowledge in the subject of water. Issues related to the promotion and dissemination of knowledge about the project and the activities carried out were mentioned.

On the 5th of April 2023 representatives of the Gdańsk University of Technology took part in the 45th session of the City Council in Braniewo. It was an opportunity to present the WaterMan project and the activities planned to be implemented in the City of Braniewo. As part of the project cooperation, Gdańsk University of Technology will support the city in activities related to the planned pilot project regarding the reuse of water in the municipal swimming pool and the creation of a rain park in the swimming pool area. In addition, the City will work on a strategy for reusing municipal water.

The WaterMan project started in January this year and will run for three years with 16 full partners from 6 different countries (SE, DK, DE, PL, LT, LV, EE). The project itself aims to promote water reuse in the Baltic Sea region. It adds a new element to water management that can make the water supply more resilient to climate change. The key players in water reuse are local authorities and water companies, most of whom are still new to the topic.

One of the first activities of the WaterMan project was the kick-off conference in Kalmar and Västervik, which took place on March 14-16, 2023.

Participants of the project conference were welcomed by a representative of Kalmar County and GA-MA consulting. Except of discussing the basic issues related to the project, each of the partners presented themselves and their involvement in the project.

The second day of the conference was dedicated to pilot activities. Participants had the opportunity to participate in a study visit in Gamleby and Västervik, where they saw the pilot sites in Sweden and the current solutions regarding flooding and drought. In pilot locations, representatives of the cities told us about the place and the idea for action. A representative of Gamleby talked about the existing 1st generation dam, its concept, experience and the use of retained water. As part of the pilot of the WaterMan project, they want to recirculate retained water by extending the use of retained stormwater from multi-dam. In the second town of Västervik, the participants got to know the plans and challenge the city is facing. With the opportunity to test a pilot solution, they want to recirculate retained water by planning 2nd generation multi-dam(s) and preparing a local model water reuse strategy.

The meeting was attended by a large representation from Poland, i.e. the City Hall in Braniewo, the Gdańsk University of Technology and the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic. The project includes both soft and pilot actions. One of such pilot sites will be in the City of Braniewo, which, with the cooperation and support of experts from the Gdańsk University of Technology, will implement the planned pilot project on the recirculation of retained water: in the form of an urban rain garden by a public swimming pool, reuse of water from a public swimming pool. In addition, a local model strategy will be prepared: Municipal water re-use strategy.

Additionally, pilot projects will be implemented in Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark, Germany and Sweden. All activities concern the subject of limiting the use of water in the Baltic Sea region. Example of pilot sites:

• Recirculation of retained water: Storm water retention ponds in public areas,
• Recirculation of retained water: Underground rain water retention reservoir,
• Reuse of treated water: Reuse of WWTP water for hydrogen electrolysis power plant,
• Recirculation of retained water: Improved purification of WWTP effluent for agricultural irrigation,
• Large-scale reuse of water from wastewater treatment plants/adequate treatment for industrial and commercial purposes,
• Mobile system for disinfection of treated sewage,
• Dual pipe system in a public building.

Except of pilot activities, the project will be based on soft activities such as:

• study visits,
• international conferences,
• workshops,
• round tables,
• data analysis,
• creating models of water use strategies,
• organization of awareness-raising and knowledge-extending events,
• partner consultations,
• promotion of activities and the project.

The last day of the kick-off conference was devoted to the administrative and financial part of the project. The Leader Partner familiarized the partners with the procedures, rules and deadlines that are in the program. The leader and partners agreed on an action plan for this year, including another physical meeting and further online meetings. The last issue raised during the third day was the signing of the Partnership Agreement and the deadlines that partners must pay attention to when it comes to reporting substantive and financial activities.

Leader of the Waterman project, Kalmar Region, launched the project on January 20, 2023. For the time being in online form due to the necessary discussion of important issues for the project. The project will last 3 years and its activities also include carrying out pilot activities at the various project locations. Whereas, an official ceremony will be held in Kalmar to launch the project with the participation of representatives from all project partners.

The project partners are from 6 countries in the Baltic Sea Region:

SWEDEN: Region Kalmar County (Lider); Kalmar Municipality; Kalmar Water; Vastervik Municipality

POLAND: Municipality of Braniewo; Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic; Gdansk University of Technology; Chamber of Commerce "Polish Waterworks"

DENMARK: Bornholms Water A/S; Bornholms Wastewater A/S

LITHUANIA: Association "Klaipeda Region"; Administration of Klaipėda; Klaipeda University; Kurzeme planning region; Saldus Municipality

DENMARK: Berlin Centre of Competence for gGmbH

ESTONIA: associated partner - Estonian Waterworks Association

The online meeting was attended by 32 representatives of the project partners.

Tobias Facchini, representative of the leader, spoke about important for partners issues, such as focus on legislative and administrative requirements, the BAMOS+ electronic billing system, reporting periods and necessary documentation, the launch of the project website, communication and information tools for visibility requirements for both the project and the program, as well as compliance with public procurement in cases of pilot activities and others.

The leader announced about the signing of the subsidy contract, which he will send out to all partners.

He also announced to reserve in the calendars the date of the official launch of the project, which will take place in Sweden, in the capital of the region, Kalmar, on March 14-16, 2023.

The main goal of the project is to reuse water - from the point of view of water management, this is a novel approach of a transnational nature.