Water pollution is one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges, posing threats to ecosystems, communities, and economies. In Europe, researchers are engaging citizens to help tackle this issue, and a new collaboration between Ireland and Denmark is demonstrating the effectiveness of community action in protecting water resources.
Funded by the Water4All Partnership, the STARDUST Project brings together citizen scientists to monitor pesticide pollution in freshwater. During the Water Blitz, 152 kits were distributed in Ireland and 50 in Denmark, engaging volunteers from environmental and community groups nationwide. The samples collected will help map pesticide occurrence with unprecedented resolution and test the toolkit’s usability in real-world conditions.
Beyond data collection, STARDUST fosters a shared sense of responsibility for water protection. By providing citizens with scientifically validated tools, the project bridges the gap between communities, policymakers, and researchers, empowering people to become active stewards of their local environment.
“This is about more than measuring pollution,” said a project partner. “It’s about inspiring people to be part of the solution.”
