Navigating water resilience: roundtable discussion on water recycling in humid EU regions

Roundtable discussion was organized by Region Kalmar County (Sweden), the Water Core Group of Euroregion Baltic and the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project “Waterman”. This event highlighted the increasing importance of water resilience across Europe, transitioning from a primarily southern issue to one that now significantly impacts northern and humid regions as well.

Over recent decades, the concept of water resilience has garnered heightened attention due to climate change and shifting precipitation patterns. The European Union’s Regulation 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse, which came into effect in 2020 and applies in all EU member states since 26 June 2023, establishes a comprehensive legislative framework for water reuse across member states. This regulation sets minimum requirements for water quality, risk management, and monitoring, laying the groundwork for sustainable water practices.

The roundtable discussion aimed to explore how the specific perspectives and needs of humid regions could be better integrated into future policies and regulatory frameworks. This is particularly relevant as the EU plans to evaluate the effectiveness of the Water Reuse Regulation in 2028 and develop a European Water Resilience Strategy. The varying levels of experience and infrastructure for water reuse among member states were also a focal point, with Mediterranean countries currently leading in reclaimed water usage compared to their northern counterparts.

Valentina Bastino, a Policy Officer from the European Commission’s DG Environment, presented an overview of the current status of the EU Water Reuse Regulation 2020/741. She outlined forthcoming initiatives aimed at enhancing water resilience across Europe. Klara Ramm from the ReNutriWater project discussed key challenges and opportunities related to water reuse, drawing insights from survey results conducted in several Baltic Sea countries.

A critical takeaway from these discussions is that water quality requirements should be tailored to the intended use; not all applications necessitate drinking-quality water. For example, Klas Eriksson shared insights from Kalmar on the practical implementation of recycled water for irrigating green areas, emphasizing the importance of understanding local contexts and regulations.

The successful implementation of these regulations hinges on overcoming public hesitance towards water reuse, improving existing infrastructure, and developing robust business models that support these initiatives. The need for good examples and best practices in risk assessment implementation was underscored, along with calls for increased scientific research and technological advancements to facilitate effective water reuse strategies.

As we move forward, it is crucial that stakeholders continue to engage in collaborative efforts to share knowledge and experiences. This will not only enhance public acceptance but also foster innovative solutions that can address the unique challenges faced by different regions in Europe regarding water management and sustainability.

The visit to Brussels also offered a good opportunity to visit into the heart of the European Parliament, Hemicycle, experience its exciting atmosphere and learn more in depth about the role of the Parliament and its legislative work. Our Interreg projects, Waterman, NURSECOAST-II and ReNutriWater, provide important research data to support legislation, and the Roundtable discussions offer a good opportunity to promote good practices, technical solutions and tools developed in various water sector projects in the Baltic Sea region.

Writers: Anu Reinikainen and Virpi Vorne, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)

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