A key element of the EU Water Resilience Strategy
- Water reuse can help address water scarcity and drought, reducing the pressure on natural water resources
- The JRC supports the development of water reuse policies, guidelines, and standards to ensure safe and efficient water reuse practices
- Water reuse can contribute to the European Union's circular economy and sustainability goals, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency
- The JRC collaborates with stakeholders, including Member States, research institutions, and industry partners, to advance water reuse research and innovation
What is Water Reuse
Water reuse, also known as water recycling, involves repurposing treated wastewater for beneficial uses such as agriculture, industry, and landscape irrigation. As global water resources face increasing pressure from climate change and population growth, water reuse offers a sustainable solution to enhance water security, reduce stress on natural water bodies, and support environmental resilience. By transforming wastewater into a valuable resource, water reuse contributes to efficient water management and helps address the challenges of water scarcity and drought.
JRC leading the way to reuse
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is at the forefront of initiatives to repurpose treated wastewater for agricultural use. With climate change and increasing demand depleting water resources, reusing treated wastewater presents a viable solution to support agriculture and industry.
Key Insights:
- Potential Coverage: Reusing water could meet 10% of agricultural water needs.
- Water Quality Standards: JRC has established standards for recycled water quality.
- Collaboration: Working with businesses and policymakers to ensure a safe, continuous water supply.
Current and Potential Water Reuse:
JRC scientists have evaluated the potential for treated wastewater to alleviate water shortages across the European Union. With more than 1 in 10 EU citizens affected by water scarcity, reusing treated municipal wastewater can significantly ease this burden.
- Current Usage: 1 billion cubic meters of treated municipal wastewater reused annually in the EU.
- Potential Expansion: Capacity to increase reuse to six times the current level.
Reusing treated wastewater provides a reliable water source, reduces pressure on natural resources, and supports the EU's climate change adaptation efforts.
Minimum standards
The EU's Regulation 741/2020 facilitates safe water recycling for irrigation while ensuring food safety and environmental protection. JRC scientists were instrumental in developing this regulation, setting quality standards and guidelines for managing risks associated with water reuse systems.
Key Components:
- Establishing minimum quality requirements for water reuse.
- Developing guidelines for risk management in agricultural irrigation.
Risk management
Before reusing water in agriculture, the Water Reuse Regulation mandates a Risk Management Plan to identify and mitigate health and environmental risks. The JRC has developed a step-by-step guide for operators, farmers, and stakeholders to ensure the safe use of recycled water in agriculture.
JRC Contributions:
- Guidance document informs European Commission guidelines and regulations.
- Technical report on water reuse risk management for agricultural irrigation.
Promoting Water Reuse
The JRC actively collaborates with experts, utilities, authorities, and stakeholders to share best practices and learn from real-world examples of water reuse across Europe.
- Hosting workshops showcasing EU experiences in reclaimed water use.
- Organizing online events on managing risks associated with water reuse.
- Presenting case studies on water reuse in industries, public spaces, and environmental applications.
Explore our latest webinars:
- EWA/JRC Webinar: Water Reuse & EU competitiveness - EWA
- Water Reuse Europe - Joint Research Centre Webinar | Onsite Industrial Water Reuse - Water Reuse Europe
- Joint Webinar: Experiences on reusing wastewater for industrial applications | Aqua Publica Europea
Publications and resources
- Water Reuse in the European Union: Risk Management Approach According to the Regulation (EU) 2020/741
- Minimum quality requirements for water reuse in agricultural irrigation and aquifer recharge - Towards a water reuse regulatory instrument at EU level Réédition
- Technical guidance - water reuse risk management for agricultural irrigation schemes in Europe
- Sustainable wastewater reuse for agriculture | Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
- Mitigating risks and maximizing sustainability of treated wastewater reuse for irrigation - ScienceDirect