Joint Danube Survey 5 Scheduled to Launch 1st July
The Joint Danube Survey 5 (JDS5), the world’s most comprehensive investigative surface-water monitoring effort, will officially kick off on 1 July 2025 in Vienna. This large-scale scientific survey will bring together experts from 14 countries to assess the health of the Danube River and its major tributaries.
Since 2001, the Joint Danube Survey has been conducted every six years and has played a crucial role in harmonizing water quality monitoring across the Danube River Basin, ensuring that data collected from different countries is comparable and scientifically rigorous. JDS5 will build upon this legacy, using the latest advancements in environmental monitoring, including more detailed environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, microplastics research, and enhanced citizen science initiatives to gain deeper insights into the river’s biodiversity, pollution levels, and overall ecological status.
The findings from JDS5 will contribute to the 2027 update of the Danube River Basin Management Plan, providing essential data for shaping future water protection policies. In addition to scientific research, JDS5 will emphasize public engagement, inviting local communities, students, and volunteers to take part in monitoring activities and awareness campaigns.
With over 80 million people relying on the Danube for drinking water, agriculture, and industry, the importance of maintaining its health cannot be overstated. By bringing together scientists, policymakers, and citizens, JDS5 aims to strengthen cooperation across the region and accelerate action toward a cleaner, healthier, and safer Danube for generations to come.
