Deployment of smart anti-pollution barriers in Tiber River (Fiume Tevere)

River Cleaning – Tiber River (Rome) • Concept Note

Objective
Deploy one or more smart River Cleaning barriers on selected stretches of the Tiber River to intercept floating plastic debris, followed by monitoring and public dissemination of results.

Status
The proposal is still at an embryonic stage. Exact installation sites have not yet been decided. Operational steps will be detailed once funding is secured. At present, the project requires external financing.

Strategic Fit
The action contributes to water quality improvement, public health and well-being, and urban sustainability goals. It is conceived to align with relevant EU directives and local plans (e.g., Floods, Habitats, Birds and Marine Strategy directives; municipal and regional planning instruments for Rome/Fiumicino and sustainable mobility frameworks).

Core Activities

• A. Installation – Set up a smart River Cleaning barrier (or multiple units) on one or more Tiber stretches following a preliminary mapping of debris flows.

• B. Communication & Dissemination – Outreach, results dissemination, and connection with international initiatives, events, and networks.

Stakeholders & Partners (indicative)

• Lead/Tech: River Cleaning

• Scientific/Institutional: ISPRA; CNR; Roma Città Metropolitana; Contratto di Fiume Tevere (proposed)

• Operations/Services: AMA Roma (waste recovery and disposal); Soprintendenza Roma (as needed)

• Engagement/Events: Tevere Expo; Sea The Change S.r.l.

• International links: Partnerships within HEU projects “REMEDIES” and “INSPIRE”; EcoFuturo Festival

Illustrative Locations (TBD)
Examples under evaluation purely for scoping purposes include:

• Testaccio district (Rome)

• Tevere Expo area

• Isola Tiberina

Preliminary Budget Envelope (subject to refinement)
Approx. €710,000 in total, covering:

• Barrier installation & site setup (≈ €20,000)

• Permitting/coordination & initial logistics (≈ €5,000)

• Barrier procurement/engineering & integration (≈ €650,000)

• Communication & dissemination (≈ €15,000)

• Stakeholder/scientific liaison (≈ €10,000)

• International networking & events (≈ €10,000)

Risks & Mitigation (high level)

• Production timelines: Define a clear technical scope and plan an adaptive workplan to keep delivery on track.

• Organizational alignment: Establish precise roles, responsibilities, and a shared calendar to avoid misunderstandings.

• Technical/operational challenges: Ensure the design and site preparation phases are robust, and communicate constraints early and clearly.

Next Steps

1. Confirm funding sources and budget availability.

2. Conduct debris-flow mapping and site feasibility (including permits).

3. Finalize locations and deployment plan; detail work packages and schedule.

4. Implement installation, monitoring, and reporting; execute communication plan and international link-ups.