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Project Integrated concepts for reuse of upgraded wastewater

- Wastewater reuse presents a promising solution to the growing pressure on Europe's water resources. However, wastewater reuse implementation faces obstacles that include insufficient public acceptance, technical, economic and hygienic risks and further uncertainties caused by a lack of awareness, accepted standards, guidelines and uniform European legislation. So far, there are no European regulations on water reuse and further development is slowed by lack of standards in water quality, treatment and distribution systems.
- While guidelines for agricultural water reuse have been defined by the World Health Organisation, and by different states such as the USA and Saudi Arabia, a uniform solution for Europe is lacking. European standards have to take a complex water policy and management framework into account and have to balance the protection of water resources, economic and regional interests and consumer-related safety standards.

Project number EVK1-CT-2002-00130
Subject(s) AGRICULTURE , DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION : COMMON PROCESSES OF PURIFICATION AND TREATMENT , INDUSTRY , POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT , SANITATION -STRICT PURIFICATION PROCESSES , WATER DEMAND
Acronym AQUAREC
Geographical coverage Belgium, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Austria, Israel, Hungary, Poland, Romania
Budget (in €) 3377326
Programme INCO MED (FP5)
Web site http://www.aquarec.org/
Objectives The general objective is to provide knowledge for a rational wastewater reuse strategy as a major component of sustainable water management practices. The approach will be interdisciplinary and broad, addressing issues of strategy, management and technology. The project aims to define criteria to assess the appropriateness of wastewater reuse concepts in particular cases and to identify the potential role of wastewater reuse in European water management. The project will provide guidance for end-users facing decisions in the planning and implementation of wastewater reuse schemes as well as for public institutions on various levels.
Results

The expected direct outcomes of the project are knowledge, management know-how and an overview of available technology for wastewater reuse, particularly for non-potable reuse of upgraded effluents from wastewater treatment plants.

Secondary outcomes of the project are intended effects, caused or accelerated by the exploitation or dissemination of the direct project outcomes. Expected secondary outcomes are legislative measures on water reuse in Europe, the construction and operation of water reuse systems and the social and ecological benefits, associated with the availability of safe secondary water sources.

As part of the AQUAREC initiative a workshop was held at the University of Wollongong on "Integrated Concepts for advancing sustainable urban water management" on 9th December 2002 with 60 participants and 13 presentations.

Period [28/01/2003 - 28/02/2006]

Partners

  • Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
    Institut fuer Verfahrenstechnik (LVT)
    Coordinator acts as project coordinator
    Type
    Address Turmstr. 46 D-52056 Aachen
    Country Germany
    Contact Dr. Thomas Melin,
    Position: PROFESSOR
    Phone/fax: +49 (0)241 809 5470, +49 (0)241 809 2252
    Email: melin@ivt.rwth-aachen.de
  • Ben Gurion University of the Negev
    The Institutes for Applied Research
    Type
    Address PO Box 653 84105 Beer-Sheva
    Country Israel
    Contact Dr Rami Messalem,
    Position: Project Manager
    Phone/fax: +972 (8) 6461943, +972 (8) 6472930
    Email: rami@bgumail.bgu.ac.il

Funding sources

  • EC FP5 EESD
    Key action Sustainable Management and Quality of Water, Waste water treatment and re-use
    Source EC FP5
    Programme EESD
    Type
    Funding rate 68
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