The second workshop dedicated to the Romanian pilot area of the IDES project brought together 32 participants - most of them from sectoral agencies as well as higher education and research fields. It took place in the city of Brăila, near the pilot area, on June 10th, 2022. 

Discussions focused on reducing nutrient use, as it is directly related to water quality. Nutrients limits are now exceeded because good practices are not followed (but if the amount of nutrients is reduced, the agricultural production will be reduced). Also, an increase in intensive agriculture in the future was taken into account. 

Detailed measures were proposed by the stakeholders, such as: promoting subsidising / stimulating nitrogen-fixing crops (soybeans, peas, beans, lucerne), crop rotation, cover crops (in order to reduce the use of synthetic nutrients), the use of bio-fertilizers, bio-herbicides (with N and P fixing bacteria), as well as new technologies. Other measures discussed were the need to update courses taught in universities and practical schools, promoting new technologies, bio-fertilizers or permaculture as well as changing the consumption habits (in order for the consumer to choose eco products with smaller environmental impact).

Regarding waste and wastewater, the stakeholder agreed that only complying with the legislation would lead to a reduction of the impact, going hand in hand with institutional strengthening and reduction of corruption in the system. Given the current situation (e.g. the third stage of a treatment plant is missing and N and P are nor retained), the upgrading of the existing water treatment plants is also needed to improve water quality.