Wastewater Reuse in the EU and Southern European Countries: Policies, Barriers and Good Practices

Jurgita Malinauskaite (), Bertrand Delpech, Luca Montorsi, Matteo Venturelli, Wolfgang Gernjak, Morgan Abily, Tadej Stepišnik Perdih, Eleni Nyktari and Hussam Jouhara
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Jurgita Malinauskaite: Brunel Law School, College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences, Brunel University of London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
Bertrand Delpech: Institute of Energy Futures, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University of London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
Luca Montorsi: Department of Science and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
Matteo Venturelli: Department of Science and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
Wolfgang Gernjak: Catalan Institute of Water Research-CERCA, Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
Morgan Abily: Catalan Institute of Water Research-CERCA, Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
Tadej Stepišnik Perdih: School of Civil Engineering, Zographou Campus, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., 15773 Athens, Greece
Eleni Nyktari: School of Civil Engineering, Zographou Campus, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., 15773 Athens, Greece
Hussam Jouhara: Bioeconomy Research Institute, Vytautas Magnus University, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-23

Abstract: Ensuring sustainable consumption of water, which is essential for human development, is not sufficient, therefore, there is an urgent need to improve reuse of treated wastewater. This paper reviews the newest EU legislation related to reclaimed water reuse, which is the main driver for change. While there are some positive developments in the EU, the paper argues that the current EU legislation does not sufficiently encourage circular solutions, especially on how to deal with any bottleneck effects, which prevent to fully utilise wastewater. This reflection is noted based on the national and regional developments in Italy with some comparison with other Southern countries, such as Greece and Spain in attempt to identify good practices as well as any barriers for the reclaimed water to be reused.

Keywords: wastewater reused; regulation 2020/741; the urban wastewater treatment directive; good practices of wastewater reuse (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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