Urban wastewater is a significant source of river pollution. Until now, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive did not regulate the discharge of micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and microplastics. These residues are found in all our water bodies and are harmful to the environment and health. The rivers of the SUDOE region, given their special vulnerability to climate change, must be protected from these contaminants. The new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which will lead to cleaner rivers and lakes across Europe, includes the control of micropollutants and indicates the obligation to apply additional treatment to urban wastewater in order to eliminate these micropollutants; it also urges Member States to draw up a list of areas that pose a risk to health or the environment due to the presence of micropollutants and to carry out systematic monitoring of them. The proliferation of micropollutants and their treatment is a challenge yet to be solved, which is why this project will be of great importance for the integration of the Directive in the different SUDOE regions and its adaptation to what is established in this Directive. The general objective of AQUACARE is to protect and conserve water resources, strengthening resilience against micropollutants of emerging concern. The realization of this project would provide administrations and companies in these regions with strategic resources to address the proliferation of emerging contaminants in rivers and their consequent deterioration. It will provide a common methodology for the identification, analysis, and reduction of micropollutants, a strategic reference plan for the sustainable management of these discharges and to reduce the entry of micropollutants into river basins; valuable information on unregistered sources of pollution and the presence of these contaminants in river basins; as well as solutions and good practices for stakeholders, including public participation and awareness.