Environmental Technology Award 2025
13. November 2025
World First on the Neisse: When AI and Citizen Science Overcome Borders
256 Kilometers. Three Countries. More Clarity.
The Neisse silently winds its way through the heart of Europe, a natural border between Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. What it carries, however, remains mostly invisible: microplastics – tiny particles that are increasingly polluting our waters. But what previously took months and cost huge sums of money is now becoming a matter of days: NEISSE TOTAL is launching the world's first complete mapping of a cross-border river – made possible by artificial intelligence, international cooperation, and the commitment of thousands of people.
The Unique Selling Point: A World First
NEISSE TOTAL combines three revolutionary elements into a unique methodology:
- World's first complete mapping of a cross-border river – 256 kilometers of the Neisse, over 80 coordinated measuring points in three countries.
- AI-supported microplastic detection – fluorescence analysis reduces the analysis time from months to days.
- Scientific validation – systematic cross-validation against established standard procedures ensures maximum accuracy.
"With NEISSE TOTAL, we are not only creating the first complete mapping of a cross-border river but also establishing a scientifically validated methodology that can become the standard across Europe," explains Dr. Katrin Schuhen, Project Manager at Wasser 3.0 gGmbH. "The combination of AI-supported analysis and systematic validation makes our method unique."
From the River to Drinking Water: The Complete Water Cycle
For the first time, the project examines the entire journey of water – from the river through bank filtration to drinking water. The new methodology will be developed, applied, and scientifically validated in three phases: This includes AI training and the complete mapping of the Neisse with up to 80 measuring points by citizens, schools, and NGOs from three countries, as well as long-term measurements across the complete water cycle – from the Neisse to bank filtration and to drinking water. All results will be published in the Global Map of Microplastics and documented in scientific journals. The AI models will be provided as Open Source.
A Flagship Project for Europe
The project, funded by the Veolia Stiftung and the Fondation Veolia, started in October 2025 and will initially run for 24 months.
"NEISSE TOTAL is an outstanding example of how innovative technologies and civic engagement can work together," says David Poinard, Director of the Veolia Foundation. "We are proud to support this flagship project, which serves as a model for the whole of Europe."
"The Veolia Foundation sees NEISSE TOTAL as a forward-looking project that exemplary combines innovation, water protection, and education," adds Sylke Freudenthal, Chairwoman of the Board of the Veolia Foundation Germany.
Sylke Freudenthal and Katrin Schuhen at the meeting in Berlin © Wasser 3.0
Become part of the movement and join in!
NEISSE TOTAL thrives on cross-border cooperation. Whether as a school, NGO, municipality, or engaged individual – contact us and become part of a project that demonstrates how modern water monitoring works.
