About | ZDrauA

Project Overview

The Interreg Slovenia–Austria project ZDrauA: Next-generation biomonitoring of Drava/Drau for sustainable and healthy regional development brings together four research organizations aiming to advance freshwater quality assessment in the region using state-of-the-art molecular methods.

About the Drava/Drau River

The Drava/Drau is a 725 km long river connecting countries, cultures, and ecosystems

It stretches from the Alps to the Pannonian Plain

Hosts unique plant and animal communities

Provides key ecosystem services:

- High-quality drinking water
- Irrigation for food production
- Energy production
- Leisure and recreational activities

ZDrauA

Why This Project Matters

River ecosystems are strongly influenced by:

Human activity in the catchment area
Point and diffuse pollution sources

Key risks include:

Contaminants
Enteric viruses
Antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms

European policy framework:

Water Framework Directive (WFD) – ecological status of water bodies
Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) – human impacts on water

Efficient and timely freshwater monitoring is essential to support management decisions in line with these directives.

Project Objectives

ZDrauA focuses on improving and harmonizing cross-border biomonitoring

Development of standardized protocols

Common NGB methods for WFD and UWWTD assessments
Adaptation to local conditions

Strengthening cross-border collaboration

Joint implementation at selected monitoring sites
Cooperation between researchers and end-users

Establishment of a shared data platform

DNA-based information system
Molecular data-sharing portal
User guidelines for stakeholders

Outreach and knowledge transfer

Activities targeting:
- Stakeholders
- SMEs
- Local communities
Focus on advantages and limitations of NGB

Project Activities

Key scientific and implementation activities

Establishment and intercalibration of NGB methods for:

Benthic invertebrates
Fish
Pathogens

Development of:

Common (e)DNA protocols
Monitoring guidelines

Integration into:

Existing freshwater monitoring systems
National and cross-border action plans

Pilot action:

Application of (e)DNA metabarcoding methods

Innovation and Impact

The ZDrauA project introduces several key novelties

First synchronized cross-border implementation of NGB methods in the region

Generation of new datasets for:

- Nature conservation
- Pathogen surveillance

Use of single-sample multi-purpose analysis:

- Biodiversity assessment
- Pathogen detection

Get Started

Our partners

Partners of the project

Call

Interreg Slovenia – Austria

Duration

January 2025 – December 2027

Total grant

Approx. 1 mil. €

Leading partner

Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), Austria

Financed by

Interreg program Slovenija – Avstrija 2021–2027

Co-financed by

KWF