Challenges for Circular Economy under the EU 2020/741 Wastewater Reuse Regulation

Abstract

Wastewater reuse is seen as an opportunity to support a circular economy and optimize water resources. However, the use of wastewater is limited by the need for the proper protection of health and the environment and demands a certain minimum quality of treated reclaimed water. The objective of this work is to evaluate the opportunities both for the agents in the water treatment chain (from municipalities to farmers) and for technology providers under the recently approved Regulation EU‐2020/741. The new market and opportunities require new value chains, technology development, governance, risk assurance, and adapted local regulation. Bottlenecks also pose technological, environmental, institutional, economic, and social challenges. The identified needs and barriers must be properly addressed in order to accelerate the transformation of the water sector toward the circular economy. As a conclusion, Reg EU 2020/741 introduces minimum requirements for urban wastewater reuse and requires the definition of risk management and transparency. The real impact of regulation on circular‐economy objectives is limited by water scarcity and crop profitability. Social acceptance is critical for success.

Climate change, circular economy and foodborne pathogens: assessment of pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella spp. in irrigation water in Italy

“…in samples of irrigation water, including reclaimed water from municipal WWTP and surface water from rivers and canals, used for agricultural practices, as markers for zoonotic pathogens. The aim was to perform a preliminary hazard assessment to support the prevention of foodborne risks emerging from the use of irrigation water, since the implementation of circular economy as driver for the sustainability of the food systems seems not supported yet from end-of-waste criteria tailored on the effects of the ongoing climate changes 1,31 . In addition, we performed the convenience sampling also considering variation in precipitations regime.…”

“…In the current global landscape, rising population and growing human pressure from agricultural and industrial activities are widening the disparity between water demand and supply. This imbalance is resulting in an unequal distribution and in a depletion of water resources 1,2 . In the years to come, increasing temperatures will exacerbate water scarcity by altering precipitation patterns, diminishing crop yields in both irrigated and rainfed agricultural areas and reducing livestock productivity due to prolonged or extreme temperature fluctuations [3][4][5] .…”

Are Non-Conventional Water Resources the Solution for the Structural Water Deficit in Mediterranean Agriculture? The Case of the Segura River Basin in Spain

“…In the Segura River Basin (SRB), as in many other Mediterranean basins, non-conventional water sources (NCW) have become an important component of the water mix and a promising alternative for agricultural irrigation (the largest water consumer) [51]. Recently, numerous regulations and policy strategies have been developed to promote the use of these water resources, setting very ambitious targets [30]. In line with Ricart et al [52], our study suggests that increasing the use of reclaimed water and, more significantly, desalinated water will be key to alleviating water scarcity in the SRB.…”

“…The cost of reclaimed water is highly variable and highly contingent on the type of treatment applied and the distance from the WWTP to the irrigation area. A recent study estimates a reference value for reclaimed water in Spain of EUR 0.4/m 3 (excluding storage), from which 37% corresponds to investment and operational costs of treatment while 62% is for transport and distribution from the reclamation plant to the irrigated agricultural fields (considering energy costs and optimal location) [30]. This pricing renders reclaimed water unappealing to farmers [31].…”

Sustainable Water Management: Understanding the Socioeconomic and Cultural Dimensions

“…Water scarcity and droughts have emerged as significant issues, which are expected to be exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Already, a considerable portion of the European population has been affected by water scarcity, posing a significant risk to the socioeconomic development in the region [43][44][45][46]. The increasing water scarcity and droughts across the European Union directly impact both citizens and economic sectors reliant on water, including agriculture, tourism, industry, power generation, and transport.…”