NEWS

MicroDrink Implements Harmonized Sampling Campaigns at Croatian Pilot Site

In the first half of 2025, project MicroDrink conducted two national-level sampling campaigns at the Croatian pilot site Iševnica, in January and May. The activities were implemented with the active involvement of expert personnel from the Iševnica water facility, the Institute of Public Health Zadar (project partner), and key stakeholders from the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

Sampling was performed using novel equipment developed in accordance with the methodology outlined in the Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2024/1441 supplementing the Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 by laying down a methodology to measure microplastics in water intended for human consumption. The system enables the filtration of 1000 litres of both raw and treated water through a multi-stage filter cascade down to 20 µm pore size. This configuration is designed to capture a broad range of microplastic particles, facilitating subsequent laboratory analysis.

These campaigns mark a significant achievement within MicroDrink, representing the first transnational application of a harmonized sampling and analysis approach for microplastics in drinking water. Beyond its technical relevance, the campaigns also contribute to building regional capacity and supporting knowledge transfer between institutions with established expertise and those in countries where microplastics monitoring remains limited or emerging.

First and second samplings at Croatian pilot site, Iševnica water facility

Sampling equipment in alignment with Commission Delegated Decision 2024/1441