LIFE Project: Innovative and cost-effective approach to water reuse in compliance with the new European regulatory framework for agricultural irrigation (WAter Reuse adaptation Regulation agRo)

Water reuse in semi-arid regions has been shown to be the most sustainable alternative to the use of desalinated seawater and imported water in terms of cost and environmental impact. However, water reuse is only practiced in a limited number of areas in the EU, and the main barriers identified are public perception, the cost of water reuse systems, and the lack of reclaimed water tariffs to ensure cost recovery or incentivize water reuse.

The European Commission created a regulatory framework (EU 2020/741) to establish minimum requirements for reclaimed water intended for agricultural irrigation. Murcia is characterized as one of the most water-stressed regions in Spain and Europe. More than 80% of the volume of municipal wastewater treated after filtration and/or chlorine disinfection is used for agriculture in accordance with Spanish Royal Decree 1620/2007 for water reuse. However, to meet the higher quality requirements set out in Directive EU 2020/741, water reclaimed systems must be more robust, along with risk assessment methodologies, thus ensuring the removal of particulate organic matter and the target microbiological indicators.