News & Publications

A comprehensive screening of five Swiss watercourses detected 135 pesticides, many of which exceeded ecotoxicological quality criteria. At four locations, there was a high risk to aquatic organisms over a period of several weeks, mainly due to insecticides. Input via wastewater treatment plants also contributed to pesticide pollution.

Sediment worms can be used to assess the effect of pollutants on watercourses. Recent studies show that treated wastewater contaminates sediments and, in some locations, can also infiltrate the groundwater. A significant improvement was achieved by upgrading the studies wastewater treatment plants with an additional treatment stage.

On Monday, 3 November at 7 p.m., Cornelia Kienle will take part in the Körber-Foundation's panel discussion "Gewässer in Gefahr" in Hamburg. Online participation is possible via livestream.