LIFE PHOENIX aims to demonstrate how a new inter-institutional governance system, supported by innovative forecasting tools and targeted mitigation strategies, can allow to manage the risks deriving from water contamination by persistent mobile organic contaminants (defined by the acronym PMOC) in a timely and effective way. This model will help avoid or at least reduce public expenditure on damages caused by persistent emerging pollutants, in terms of human health and the environment. The specific focus of this project concerns a subclass of PMOC, such as short-chain perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and will affect both drinking and irrigation water.

The specific objectives of the project are:

• Establish a permanent regional PFAS Commission, supported by a multidisciplinary group of experts, in order to implement policy measures and actions aimed at preventing or limiting problems caused by PMOC contamination (PFAS in particular).
• Develop guidelines on how to deal with health and environmental risks caused by PMOC contamination.
• Provide innovative and timely environmental tools for the estimation of PMOC presence, distribution and risk to support ongoing monitoring and risk assessment.
• Propose mitigation strategies based on innovative technologies (for drinking water) and on natural solutions (for irrigation water).
• Transfer the project approach and solutions to other geographical contexts characterized by similar environmental contaminations, and then replicate the work methodology.
• Raise awareness of stakeholders and population on the importance of an effective water resource prevention and protection system.