Time for a Paradigm Shift in Water Recycling: Final ReNutriWater Conference

The in-person event was organised by the ReNutriWater project’s lead organisation, the Chamber of Economy Polish Waterworks (Izba Gospodarcza “Wodociągi Polskie”), and also served as a key milestone in the project’s closure. It gathered nearly 100 participants, including representatives from local and national authorities, researchers, water service providers, and water management professionals. Strong local and national participation was supported by Polish–English–Polish interpretation, ensuring inclusive and engaging discussions.

As water scarcity continues to intensify, the conference focused on the urgent need to accelerate water recovery and reuse solutions. While water reuse has already become a reality in many regions, discussions highlighted the significant untapped potential in the Baltic Sea Region, where modern and increasingly accessible technologies can support more circular and resilient water management systems. At the same time, speakers acknowledged ongoing challenges related to regulatory frameworks, public acceptance, investment needs, and technological adaptation.

The event was opened by Paweł Sikorski, President of the Chamber of Economy Polish Waterworks and Klara Ramm, ReNutriWater Project Manager, who introduced the project’s objectives and reflected on its key achievements. Throughout the day, ReNutriWater partners presented results from pilot activities and shared insights on developed SafeWater IT Tool, business models, Mentoring Programme activities, communications activities, and a practical Handbook on Water Reuse designed to support stakeholders interested in implementing water reuse solutions.

A strong policy perspective was provided by Gari Villa-Landa Sokolova, Senior Water Policy Advisor at EurEau, who addressed the challenges of financing quaternary treatment, an advanced stage of wastewater purification targeting micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics while meeting regulatory requirements, and the role of extended producer responsibility. She emphasized the importance of controlling pollutants at the source to fully unlock the circular economy potential of urban wastewater, enabling more sustainable and cost-effective water reuse and resource recovery.

Scientific contributions anchored the project results within the broader European policy and research context, particularly in light of the revised EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Professor Małgorzata Krzyżowska from the Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology highlighted the issue of micropollutants in water, while Professor Suresh D. Pillai from Texas A&M University presented technologies for PFAS removal and discussed their implications for safe water reuse.

Regional and local perspectives further enriched the programme. Contributions from the Baltic Sea Region and local authorities in Denmark, Finland, and Poland demonstrated how water reuse solutions can be implemented at the municipal level through EU-funded projects, cross-sector collaboration, and innovative approaches within the blue and circular economy. Policy-oriented discussions, supported by speakers from PA Nutri, effectively linked the project’s outcomes with the broader objectives of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

Final Reflections on ReNutriWater

Following the conference, ReNutriWater project partners met the next day for an internal meeting hosted by Warsaw Waterworks at the premises of Południe WWTP in Warsaw. The meeting provided an opportunity to take a closer look at practical implementation, including a visit to a water recovery installation. Partners also reviewed final summaries of pilot data, reflected on major achievements from each partner organisation, and completed remaining administrative tasks ahead of the project’s formal closure.

The meeting concluded with the screening of a newly produced film presenting the project’s outcomes. The film brought together highlights from the three-year collaboration, combining footage from project meetings and expert interviews to offer a concise and engaging overview of ReNutriWater’s results and impact. (Click here to watch the film.)

Overall, the final conference and partner meeting marked a strong and fitting conclusion to the ReNutriWater project. By combining concrete project outputs with strategic, technological, policy, and global perspectives, the events reaffirmed the role of water recycling as a key pillar of sustainable and circular water management in Europe and beyond.

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