Large areas of the West Balkan region are affected by coal ash deposits. Due to heavy metal contamination of this ash, water ressouces like groundwater are affected in the surrounding area by polluted effluents. Heavy metals entering the food chain and dust dispersion by wind erosion may negatively affect the health of local people. The aim of this project is to develop and test new and innovative methods for remediation of coal ash deposits and affected water ressources. Conventional and new, plant-based technologies will be evaluated for their potential to clean-up contaminated water bodies and effluents from deposits. Immobilisation of heavy metals using various amendments and establishment of a soil cover should reduce the transfer of toxic metals to groundwater and to air, respectively. Crops with low metal uptake rates as well as (inter)cropping systems will be applied to allow safe agriculture on remediated coal ash sites. Landscape planning techniques will be applied for reintegrat ion of disposal sites into agricultural context.