PHOTOPUR – Photocatalytic decontamination of water contaminated by pesticides from viticulture

Start Date: Jan, 2017

End Date: Jan, 2020

Good Practices Thematic Area: Health Soil Biodiversity Water Farmland

Good Practices Category

Good Practices Summary

Climate change is increasing the number of pests and diseases on vineyard plots. Faced with this problem, treatments on the vines are increasing. The project aims to decontaminate the water that runs off these plots through a new decontamination system: the water circulates through a purification system before being released. The system was able to be set up and tested during the project.

Mitigation

Mitigation of the risk of water contamination.

Replicability/Knowledge Transfer

A prototype for the decontamination of contaminated water was developed, optimised and tested throughout the project. After passing through the PHOTOPUR, the water is depolluted and can then be reintroduced into the local wastewater, respecting the environment. It works according to a photocatalytic process (allowing certain chemical reactions to be accelerated) using materials activated under UV and solar radiation. This technology can be used in all vineyard plots.It works according to a photocatalytic process (allowing certain chemical reactions to be accelerated) using materials activated under UV and solar radiation.The project has also made it possible to develop an eco-label for the sustainable management of wastewater from wine-growing. The project therefore aims to extend the improvement in the quality of water from vineyard plots.

Resources

Since its closure, the website has received little information about the results of the project.

But many websites mention the project and its results. The communication of the project has therefore been fruitful.

Target Audience

Industry (Agriculture), Policy Makers, Public/Regional/Local Administration

Policy Implications

The project is mainly centred on a scientific partnership with researchers. Politics are not at the centre of the project here.

Social Dimension

The actors concerned by the project are the winegrowers. The project has not directed its communication towards “non-specialist” audiences.

Innovation Type

Process, Technology

Innovation

The aim of the post-project is to market the prototype so that many winegrowers can have access to this technology.