Past events

World Toilet Day

Where do our samples come from?

Within the project, we selected sampling points at three transborder rivers and connected sewage treatment plants.

This selection is based on a well-discussed sampling concept along the course of the river.

Upstream: a reference point without known pollution or effluent influence.
Middlestream: downstream of a known source of pollution (e.g. a sewage treatment plant), but at a sufficient distance to ensure screening of the mixed sample.
Downstream: Right before the Elbe or Polenz estuary, to evaluate the state of the water and identify potential further influences.

During our field trip on 15 March 2025, the sampling points were selected based on the following criteria.

Criteria:

good accessibility,
sufficient water flow and
suitable locations for sampling the river bed.

In the framework of workpackage 5 of IDEAL project: Current Status and Harmonization of Wastewater Treatment Plants and Water Bodies Monitoring Procedures, the faculty of environment team at UJEP conducted the periodic sampling campaign (summer season) to different Czech and Germany localities over the Elbe/Labe river. The team collected water and sediment samples, performed certain on-spot analyses and transported samples to the laboratories for further studies.

Water sampling and measurement of water parameters in the Kamenice River in Hřensko.
Water sampling and measurement of water parameters in the Kamenice River in the village of Srbská Kamenice.
Water sampling and measurement of water parameters in the Kamenice River near the village of Kytlice.
Water sampling and measurement of parameters in the Vilémovský stream in the village of Staré Hraběcí.
Water sampling and measurement of water parameters in the Křinice River near the village of Krásná Lípa.

Using a multimeter and three electrodes, water temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen were measured on spot at the sampling point.

Photogrammetric scanning of the sampling site using a 360° camera. (Křinice River, Krásná Lípa). Scanning is carried out by Ing. Brétt.
Photogrammetric scanning of the sampling site using a drone. (Kamenice River, Kytlice village). Scanning is carried out by Ing. Brétt.
Sediment sampling from the Sebnitz River near the village of Altendorf in Saxony, Germany.
Sediment sampling from the Kamenice, Křinice and Sebnitz rivers.

Water and sediment analysis: After collection, inorganic (presence of metals) and organic (e.g. pesticides or pharmaceuticals) analyses are performed on water samples. After collection, a portion of the sediment samples was analysed for enzymatic activities. The other part was dried, and microwave extracted in aqua regia and subsequently analyzed for the presence of metals.

Project- meeting of the project at the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU) in Prague

The last official project meeting took place at the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU) in Prague on June 11, 2025. Representatives from Jan Evangelista Purkyně University Ústí nad Labem (UJEP), the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA), the Czech Water Management Association (CZWA), the Urban Water Management (SWW), the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) and the Department of Clinical Pharmacology (KPH) at TU Dresden were in attendance.

During the event, the project partners presented initial work statuses and interim results – a successful start to further cooperation in the project.

During the lunch break, the participants were offered a varied and healthy buffet – many thanks to the hosts for the excellent organization and catering.

Unfortunately, the originally planned lab tour could not take place due to time constraints. Instead, the participants were given a tour of innovative water technology facilities on the university campus. Among other things, wetland systems for natural water purification, green roof and façade areas and a technical solution for using treated water to flush toilets were presented. These plants impressively demonstrate the potential of integrated concepts for sustainable water reuse.

The project meeting provided a valuable opportunity for professional exchange, networking and further coordination of joint work steps. We would like to thank all participants for their contribution and look forward to the upcoming project meetings and further cooperation.

First monitoring of small watercourses and wastewater treatment plants in the Saxon-Czech border region

On June 11, 2025, the first comprehensive monitoring campaign as part of the project started at 7:30 a.m. at the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) at TU Dresden. The aim was to sample three smaller border watercourses between Saxony and the Czech Republic – Sebnitz, Kirnitzsch and Kamenice – each at three locations: in the headwaters (upstream), in the middle reaches (mid-stream) and in the immediate vicinity of the confluence with the Elbe (downstream).

In addition to the watercourses, three outfalls from municipal sewage treatment plants were also investigated. Two outfalls and one tributary were sampled on the Sebnitz, while the outfall of the Krásná Lípa wastewater treatment plant was sampled on the Kirnitzsch.

Despite isolated low flows – particularly in the upper sections of the Kirnitzsch and Kamenice – qualified samples were taken at all planned watercourses. The outlets of the sewage treatment plants in Krásná Lípa and Sebnitz could be taken as random samples. The weather conditions were consistently favorable, so that the sampling could be carried out successfully and according to plan.

The intensive day of measuring ended with sampling at the mouth of the Kamenice at around 7 pm. Afterwards, the participants rounded off the day with refreshments in a nearby restaurant.

Special thanks go to Dr. Dirk Jungmann for the logistical support and safe execution of the trips. We are also pleased about the active participation of a student from the Department of Pharmacology (KHP) and the international support of Petri Oberholster from South Africa.

The samples taken provide valuable data on water quality and make a decisive contribution to understanding the hydrological conditions in the study area. Further monitoring missions are already being planned.

IDEAL Project Team Meeting in Ústí nad Labem
The Faculty of Environment at UJEP in Ústí nad Labem hosted another working meeting of the IDEAL project – Importance of water eDucation in EuropeAn elbe/Labe region – at the beginning of November. Representatives of all partner institutions discussed progress in the individual work packages, the current design of the project’s website, and the planned schedule for the student competition.

The program also included a tour of the UJEP campus, which is one of the most modern of its kind in the Czech Republic and already incorporates sustainable practices, such as rainwater management. This system is planned to be further developed in the coming years.

Monitoring TU Dresden in the border region of Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland

19.08.2025 – 19.08.2025

Where: Border region of Saxon Switzerland and Bohemian Switzerland

Event type: Project events

On August 19, 2025, the TU Dresden team conducted a second sampling in the border region of Saxon Switzerland – Bohemian Switzerland as part of the Interreg project. The campaign began at 7 a.m. in Drudebau, Dresden. Three rivers in the border region – the Kirnitzsch, Kamenice, and Sebnitz – were examined, as well as four wastewater treatment plants: Sebnitz, Vilémov, Krásná Lípa, and Česká Kamenice.

Further analysis.

This time, the sampling was accompanied by two students from TU Dresden who are conducting research on endocrine-disrupting substances and herbicide toxicity as part of their master’s and bachelor’s theses. We also received valuable support from our Czech colleague, who introduced us to the four wastewater treatment plants and facilitated access to the sites.

After a successful day of work, all samples were distributed to the institutes of TU Dresden around 6 p.m. and prepared for further analysis.

Participation in the Magdeburg Water Protection Seminar 2025

Karim Al Souki from Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem and Jakob Benisch from the Technical University of Dresden took part in the Magdeburg Water Protection Seminar 2025, held in Magdeburg, Germany, at the beginning of October.

Both representatives presented the IDEAL project during the poster session, introducing its goals and significance for the Czech-Saxon region. Participants of the event had the opportunity to learn about the project’s main outcomes as well as its planned activities.

As part of their presentation, they also distributed informational leaflets highlighting upcoming opportunities for students and professionals. In addition to the poster session, Karim Al Souki and Jakob Benisch had the chance to meet with colleagues from the scientific sector and discuss possibilities for future cooperation.

Sampling in the Kamenice River Basin within the IDEAL Project

Researchers and technicians from the Faculty of the Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem (FŽP UJEP) carried out water and sediment sampling at several locations in the basins of the Kamenice, Křinice, and Sebnitz rivers, as well as the Vilémovský stream.

In the field, basic physicochemical parameters of water — temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen — were measured using a multimeter and three electrodes directly at the sampling sites.

As part of the fieldwork, sampling sites were mapped using a 360° camera and a drone, providing detailed documentation of the environment and precise localization of the measured profiles.

The collected samples are further analyzed in the laboratories of FŽP UJEP.
For water samples, the presence of inorganic elements (especially metals) and organic compounds such as pesticides and pharmaceutical residues is monitored.
Sediment samples, after drying, undergo microwave extraction in aqua regia and are subsequently analyzed for metal content.