Municipal Wastewater Reuse

Reuse of municipal wastewater: a basic need

The reuse of municipal, or civilian, wastewater is one of the greatest challenges of our time: at stake is the very survival of our ecosystem and the reduction of freshwater consumption, even for the benefit of communities that are undersupplied with this most precious resource. Moreover, the supply costs of even the most supplied communities receive a plus from this practice, with related economic and social implications.

The European Union has long established a regulatory framework to promote the reuse of civil wastewater.

• Directive 2000/60/EC, also known as the Water Framework Directive, stipulates that member states must promote the reuse of treated wastewater.
• Directive 91/271/EEC, also known as the Urban Wastewater Directive, establishes minimum requirements for the treatment of wastewater from urban communities. The directive provides that treated urban wastewater may be used for irrigation purposes, provided it meets certain quality requirements.

These are the main objectives established by these regulations.

• Restoration and protection of water quality: The WFD aims to achieve and maintain “good ecological status” and “good chemical status” of surface water and groundwater within specified time frames.
• Promotion of sustainable use of water resources: all to prevent excessive quantitative reduction of the blue resource and to avoid damage to it.
• Protection of aquatic ecosystems and water bodies: this is to promote the conservation and improvement of these ecosystems, especially with specific measures for pollution prevention and sustainable management.

The Main tools provided by the legislation: management plans, direct citizen involvement and monitoring with a view to continuous improvement.