Urban surface water pollution - The overlooked threat

Hosted in collaboration with Member of the European Parliament Ms Jutta Paulus.

Where: Webinar (hosted from Brussels)

When: 10 December 2025 from 10:00 - 12:00 CET

Language: English

Programme:

Moderator: Dr Angeliki Lysimachou, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe

10:00 – 10:10 | Opening and welcome

• Opening words: MEP Jutta Paulus

10:10 – 10:15 Introductory speech

• Dr Caroline Whalley, European Environment Agency

10:15 – 10:30 | Biocides in urban environments: A growing concern

• Dr Michael Burkhardt - How biocides contribute to surface water contamination, current regulatory gaps, and what can be done under the EU Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR)

10:30 – 10:45 | Pollution from roads and highways: Hidden contaminants from hard surfaces

• Ms Jo Bradley, Stormwater Shepherds (UK) - Insights into pollution from highways, including hydrocarbons, tyre and brake particles

10:45 – 11:00 | The Biological consequences: Impacts of urban contaminants on aquatic life

• Dr Henry Obanya, University of Portsmouth - Research insights into how complex mixtures of urban pollutants affect aquatic organisms and ecosystems

11:00 – 11:15 | Urban runoff and water treatment

• Prof. Lian Lundy, Luleå University of Technology and Middlesex University - An overview of urban runoff treatment using nature-based solutions

11:15 – 11:25 | Q&A session

11:25 – 11:45 Panel discussion: EU policy and regulatory perspectives

• Ms Jutta Paulus, Member of the European Parliament
• Mr Alberto Pistocchi, Joint Research Centre
• Manon Rouby, PAN Europe

11:55 | Closing remarks

• How can cities and Member States reduce urban runoff pollution?
• What measures should be prioritised under the SUR and WFD?
• Role of public awareness and local infrastructure improvements.

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