EWS4MWRHM: Water Radiation and Heavy Metals Monitoring Systems in Central Asia

Context

After the independence of the Central Asian republics, the situation of uranium legacy sites diverged. While mining ceased in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, it continued in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan until most operations were shut down by 1995. Closures were carried out with limited technical and regulatory capacity, leaving many sites abandoned without adequate safety protection and monitoring due to lack of funding. A shortage of qualified specialists compounded the problem. Failure of containment at any site could harm shared water resources across borders, and spark conflicts. The EU, UN, IAEA and partners have long stressed the need for remediation in line with international standards. Priorities include stronger legislation and regulations implememntaion, improved monitoring and analytical capacity, enhanced training, and reliable mechanisms for information exchange. Water scarcity in Central Asia makes the issue urgent. Radioactive or chemical leaks, floods, landslides, or accidents during remediation could severely affect water security. As the risks are transboundary, no country can address them alone. 

This project supports the creation of a regional water monitoring system to track radiological and chemical contaminants. It will provide timely data monitoring and early warning, enabling evidence-based action to protect populations, the environment, and regional stability.

Overall objective

The project aims to mitigate risks related to water contamination by radionuclides and heavy metals in Central Asia, by providing  a regional capacity of water monitoring systems for transboundary rivers and their tributaries. It strengthens governance and cooperation in the detection, prevention, and mitigation of CBRN risks by combining advanced ground-based sensors with the EU Copernicus constellation’s new AI-enabled space technologies, thereby enhancing resilience to climate and environmental risks that threaten peace, security, and stability. 

Specific objectives

• To complete a detailed design and engineering of the water monitoring system and laboratory capabilities.
• To procure the water monitoring system and laboratory capabilities.
• To supply, construct, install, and commission the water monitoring system and laboratory capabilities.
• To develop regional capacity for space and ground data acquisition from the EU Copernicus constellation, pollutant-dispersion modelling algorithms, database architecture, and user-friendly decision-support software.

Concrete activities

• Update of the final water monitoring systems preliminary design.
• Establish harmonised laboratory capacity systems.
• Establish interoperable monitoring systems.
• Design and installation of Decision Support System (EWS) in all beneficiary countries, using space data for actionable impacts.
• Systems Operational Management (QMS).
• Regional Tabletop Exercise and Public Awareness.
• Complete the country's legal frameworks by a proposed outlined decree for data sharing in the unique case of disaster.

Expected results

• Deployed automated gamma sensors and on-site sampling across the 4 countries to detect and monitor RN pollutants.
• Country data collected (RAD-HM) has been entered into the national database (4) after a quality assurance double check.
• Country data collected (Water discharge and water quality) entered the database (4).
• A decision-support tool (DST) merging data for monitoring and modeling scenarios on pollution spread, implemented in each country.
• A regional Standard Operating Manual to improve data collection methodologies and ensure consistency is developed.
• A harmonised Quality Management System for reliability and interoperability of actionable information during a crisis operation.
• The installed system aligned with national crisis management policies and their legal and regulatory frameworks.
• A tabletop exercise has been conducted, confirming the interoperability of the systems and lesson learned.
• Existing daily water quality monitoring processes have been strengthened in countries covered.

Expected achievements

• Monitoring the impact on river systems and radiological contamination from uranium legacy sites according to international best practices by 2027.
• Developing and approving at least 3 system designs for partner countries by 2025.
• Installing at least 2 automated sensors and equipment per country by 2026, enabling data collection and storage in national databases.
• Updating at least 1 laboratory equipment tailored to partner country needs, allowing site sampling with results stored in national databases.
• Ensuring that at least 3 of the 4 countries operate an independent early warning system for monitoring water radioactivity and heavy metals.
• Achieving interoperability of 4 Decision Support Systems using the same equipment, platform, and quality management system with standardised operating procedures, enabling data exchange during regional crises by 2027.
• Demonstrating regional interoperability through management structures and observers during TTEX and sharing lessons learned in a final workshop by 2027.
• Outlining a standardised decree to propose to the national bodies for data sharing related to environmental legal frameworks.