25.05.2020 - EU Regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse
The text of the new Water Reuse Regulation as published by the Official Journal of the EU is available.
Although freshwater is relatively abundant in the EU, water stress occurs in many areas, particularly in the Mediterranean and parts of the Atlantic region. Water scarcity conditions created by population growth and urbanisation, including tourism, have particularly affected small Mediterranean islands and highly populated areas in recent years. Water scarcity has economic impacts: droughts can trigger direct economic losses, mainly for farmers, as well as indirect effects, such as a reluctance to invest in an area at risk, subsequently affecting the competitiveness of the EU economy. The issue has a strong transboundary dimension, since 60 % of river basins in the EU extend beyond the territory of a single Member State.
Opportunities associated with water reuse include increasing water availability in a sustainable way; delivering energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from water treatment; and contributing to climate change adaptation. Challenges associated with water reuse include affordability, which can be at risk as a result of the high cost of advanced waste water treatment and the need for additional supply infrastructure; and public acceptability, which remains low, in particular as regards reuse for drinking purposes. (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-new-boost-for-jobs-growth-and-investment/file-regulation-on-minimum-requirements-for-the-re-use-of-wastewater)