2017 was the third hottest year on the earth since measurement exists, according to World Meteorological Organization. During this summer Europe suffers from severe droughts and this is expected to happen more often in the future. In this context, managing our water resources is crucial and water availability has a direct impact on our economy. Apart from water savings, reusing treated waste water from urban waste water treatments plants can be a measure for a sustainable integrated water management and offers a reliable alternative water supply for various purposes.
The European Commission adopted on 31 May 2018 a proposal for a regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse, focusing on irrigation in agriculture. It proposes a framework for European countries to apply reuse of treated waste water safely.
The proposal aims to define the minimum quality requirements of water according to the crop grown. It also defines the steps for a proper risk assessment for the safe implementation of water reuse projects. The proposed instrument expects to allow the reuse of treated waste water to pass from 1.7 billion m3 per year currently produced to 6.6 billion m3 per year. This meeting will therefore gather policy-makers and stakeholders to discuss the proposal that will now be under consideration to the European Parliament, in the Council and in the Committee of the Regions.