WATER REUSE AS A

SOLUTION IN MANAGING
WATER SCARCITY

Manuel Sapiano
Energy and Water Agency
Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference
9/10 March 2017 - Brussels
 BACKGROUND
Water Scarcity is gaining increased relevance in EU
Environmental Policies, since the communication entitled
Addressing the challenges of Water Scarcity and Drought
(2007).
The Blueprint for Safeguarding European Waters (2012)
identifies water reuse as a potential tool to address water
scarcity.
The Circular Economy Package (2015) highlights water-reuse
and proposes an action plan to facilitate the uptake of safe
water reuse practices.
Generally, at an EU level, there is an increased focus on water
reuse and its potential in addressing water scarcity, although
focus is currently limited to reuse in agricultural irrigation and
aquifer recharge applications.
WATER SCARCITY
Defining Water Scarcity:

Water Scarcity = f(Water Availability, Water Demand and Water

Quality)

Water Availability = f(Climatic, Territorial, Hydrogeologic,

Technological, Economic .. charactertistics)

Water Demand = f(Demographic, Economic, Social, ..

characteristics)

Water Quality = f(Hydrogeologic, Economic, Climatic ..

characteristics)
MALTAs WATER STRATEGY
Maltas 2nd RBMP seeks the conjunctive adoption of water
demand management and water supply augmentation
measures to achieve the good status objectives of the
Water Framework Directive. Water reuse is key to this
strategy, widening the water resource base available to
address an efficient water demand.
Treated
Alternative
Sewage New Water Resources
Effluent 8% 1%
3%
Desalinated Desalinated
Water Water
Groundwat
29% 32%
er
Groundwat 48%
er
61%
Rainwater
Rainwater Harvesting
Harvesting 11%
7%

2014 2021
WATER REUSE
Within the (national) water balance, water reuse cannot be
considered as a strict water supply augmentation measure.
Water reuse, by introducing an in-system feedback loop,
enables water demands to be met by smaller water inputs.
Thus water reuse reduces the pressures on natural water
resources (inputs).
ECONOMIC ASPECTS
The inclusion of water reuse in water management frameworks
changes the role of traditional water services since the production
of water is now being introduced as a service offered by the utility.
Effective consideration of water reuse therefore requires the
development of a wider economic framework which gives due
consideration to the:
- Resource benefits
- Environmental benefits
- Economic benefits
- Social benefits
arising due to the introduction of water reuse.

These is thus increased scope for WFD Article 9(1) to refer not only to
costs, but also to benefits associated with the activities of water
services.
There is also scope for amending WFD Article 2(38) defining Water
Services, and include the distribution of treated waters for reuse.
EXTENDING THE SCOPE
Greywater Reuse has a high
potential to address (lower)
water demand in the municipal
and commercial sectors.

In the Domestic sector, reuse of

shower grey-water for toilet
flushing can reduce household
water demand by around 25%.

Main barriers for the adoption

of greywater reuse practices is
the lack of a common regulatory
framework to support
investments in the development
of affordable technologies.
EXTENDING THE SCOPE
Potable Reuse

Indirect potable reuse, following the discharge of treated

wastewaters to an environmental buffer, is an established
practice in the EU.

Direct potable reuse, from the treatment plant to the consumer

is another issue. Generally considered as a high risk option.

The inclusion of water reuse needs to be considered within the

existing water production and supply infrastructure. Water
reuse should primarily be directed to water uses facing an
insufficient water-supply base.
CONCLUSION
A more comprehensive outlook to water reuse is required.
Water reuse is not only effective in addressing water scarcity
but has an important potential for:
-Energy recovery
- Nutrient recovery

Advances in technology are required to effectively develop

comprehensive and cost-effective solutions. Support to R&D
activities for the development of marketable solutions is key to
securing a role for Europe in the water reuse sector.

Water reuse can be (is) an important pillar of Europes green

economy.
Thank you for your attention