µupstream: minimize the presence of micropollutants spread by stormwater flows

Project partners: BVB Byggvarubedömningen ek. Luleå University of Technology, MittSverige Vatten & Avfall, Stockholm Municipality, StormTac, Swedish Transport Administration

Grant from Vinnova: SEK 456,268

Call for proposals: Impact Innovation: Collaboration for Sustainable Water for All within the Water Wise Societies 2024 program

Contact person: Heléne Österlund

Purpose and objectives

The aim of this project is to investigate how we can reduce the sources of pollution carried from our cities by stormwater. Specific objectives include: i) analyzing the challenge and how it can contribute to achieving Healthy Lakes and Rivers 2035 ii) identifying the desired future state and what system changes and actors are needed to get there iii) developing proposals for next steps (activities, need for solutions) to get closer to the goal.

Expected impacts and results

Stormwater is an important pathway for the transport of pollutants from the urban environment to nearby water bodies. Identifying and ultimately eliminating the sources of these pollutants is thus a prerequisite for the sub-goal “Healthy lakes and rivers 2035”. Furthermore, this project creates the conditions for unpolluted stormwater, which thus has greater potential for reuse as an alternative water source and water resource.

Planned approach and implementation

Participating project partners are Luleå University of Technology (LTU), City of Stockholm, Stormtac, Mittsverige vatten och avfall (MSVA), Byggvarubedömningen and Trafikverket. The project is based on a workshop series that includes an analysis of how to minimize the occurrence of micropollutants spread by stormwater, a future vision and necessary system changes as well as proposals for next steps to get there. Everything is compiled in a project report with a further in-depth international perspective.

The text on this page was written by the project team. The content has not been reviewed by our editors.