Water reuse from the WWTP: applications and barriers

The reuse of water from the WWTP is key to achieving a real circular economy in the integral water cycle. The Mediterranean area is suffering from increasingly acute drought episodes, and therefore wastewater reuse has become an alternative water source with several applications in industry and agriculture. Water reuse is regulated by specific legislation, although some barriers have been identified that hinder the success of the current application of this alternative water source.

The event will focus on the specific applications and the actual barriers that slow down their industrial application. In the first part of the event, specific applications will be presented through the LIFE REWAINCER and SYMSITES projects as examples of wastewater reuse in the ceramic, cosmetic, and textile industries, and the SIRERA project as a specific case of wastewater reuse in agriculture. These presentations will focus on the technology and legislation for each specific application.

In the second part of the event, a public debate will take place with the aim of examining the main technical and non-technical barriers identified for water reuse. During the debate, several actors involved in the management and reuse of water will share their opinions on key questions. The aim of the public debate is to bring different points of view to the table and try to identify solutions to overcome these barriers.

The speakers will come from local public administrations, agricultural and ceramic industry associations, and private industries with high water demand. The agriculture sector, industry, and public administration are the target audience for this event, which will aim to establish contacts and bring positions closer together to achieve success in the reuse of wastewater from the WWTPs.