Urban surface water pollution - The overlooked threat

REGISTER HERE

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 - European Commission (TBC)

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

  • Representative from the European Commission (TBC)
  • Member of the European Parliament (TBC)
  • Manon Rouby, PAN Europe

11:55 | Closing remarks

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

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Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) gratefully acknowledges the financial support from the European Union, European Commission, DG Environment, LIFE programme. Sole responsibility for this publication lies with the authors and the funders are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.