Jūrmala Water presented BalticPFASResolve at the Baltic Water Works Conference

Representatives of SIA “Jūrmalas ūdens” presented the achieved results both on the role of the pilot project in analysing PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in sewage sludge and on improving the operation of the company’s GIS system, for example, by optimising the location of fire hydrants.

On 13-14 May, Jūrmala Water participated in the Baltic Water Works Conference 2026 in Jūrmala, Latvia.

The event brought together 267 decision-makers, utility leaders, engineers, researchers, policy experts, and technology providers across the Baltic states and Europe. Representatives from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Finland, Austria, Norway and Denmark attended the conference.

This year’s conference focused on a wide range of sector challenges and opportunities. Discussions covered topics ranging from security risks related to the war in Ukraine to rising operational costs. Water utilities are increasingly seeking innovative solutions to ensure that essential public services, drinking water supply and wastewater collection and treatment, remain safe, reliable, compliant with quality requirements, and affordable for residents and businesses alike.

In response to increasingly stringent requirements in the field of wastewater treatment, representatives of SIA “Jūrmalas ūdens”, Kristīna Kokina and Jānis Zviedris, presented the Interreg Central Baltic Programme project “BalticPFASResolve”. Over the course of three years, the project will conduct significant research, analysing PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals”, and their presence in wastewater sludge.

Conference participants showed particular interest in the presentation by Ginta Dakša from SIA “Jūrmalas ūdens”, who demonstrated how data-driven decision-making can help determine the optimal number and location of fire hydrants across different areas of the city, while also reducing the company’s daily expenses.

Another important topic discussed during the conference was workforce development. Water utilities across the region face challenges related to an ageing workforce and the need to attract and retain qualified employees. Participants shared approaches and action plans aimed at strengthening skills, knowledge transfer, and long-term staff recruitment.

The common challenges faced by water utilities across the region highlight the importance of events such as the Baltic Water Works Conference. Beyond providing insights into the latest industry developments, the conference offers valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and discussions on practical solutions to shared challenges.

BalticPFASResolve is an Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021-2027 project co-funded by the European Union. BalticPFASResolve will empower municipalities and water utilities to identify PFAS hotspots and implement targeted remediation programmes. The content of this material does not necessarily represent the official position of the European Union.