A Step Towards Circular Water Use: Reclaimed Water Pilot Installation Presented in Warsaw

Hosted by Warsaw Waterworks (Wodociągi Warszawskie), the event brought together representatives from various sectors to exchange insights and discuss progress within the Interreg Baltic Sea Region-funded initiative. The primary purpose of the event was to present a pilot installation for recovering water from treated wastewater and to initiate a discussion on the future use of reclaimed water in urban systems.

The event brought together representatives of several local water supply and sewage companies, as well as potential users of reclaimed water, including the Warsaw City Cleaning Authority and ORLEN Termika S.A. The former is considering using recovered water for cleaning city transport routes, while the latter sees potential in using it as process water for cooling systems, both excellent ways to use reclaimed water.

The meeting was opened by Joanna Zgórska, Deputy Director of the Office of Research and New Technologies. The agenda featured a series of expert presentations, starting with ReNutriWater project leader Klara Ramm from the Chamber of Commerce of Polish Waterworks, who spoke on urban symbiosis as a method of closing local water circuits. The concept refers to increased cooperation between urban sectors such as households, industry and utilities to enable local water reuse and reduce dependency on external supplies.

Marta Kowalska-Koltun, a senior specialist at the “South” plant, presented the current efforts in water recovery at the wastewater division of the Warsaw Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Company. This was followed by Agnieszka Bisak, Chief Specialist from the Office of Research and New Technologies, who presented the results of research carried out in the ReNutriWater project, highlighting the possibilities of nutrient and water reuse in urban environments.

After a networking coffee break, Bogdan Wawrzos, Technical Director of the Warsaw City Cleansing Authority, emphasized the importance of water reuse under the theme “Without Water There Is No Purity.” Agnieszka Baczynska, Technical Director at Hydrosfera Jozefów Ltd., shared insights on small retention solutions at wastewater treatment plants as a climate adaptation measure, in the face of current regulations, using the Józefów plant as an example. Hydrosfera Jozefów Ltd. serves as a great practical example of circular economy implementation, being one of the first companies in Poland to obtain permission from Wody Polskie (Polish Waters) to reuse treated wastewater. The recovered water is utilized to irrigate green areas in the town of Józefów, demonstrating an effective and sustainable approach to local water management.

The event concluded with a guided tour of the new water recovery installation, led by Agnieszka Bisak and Agata Włodarska-Jurkowska from the Office of Research and New Technologies. Finally, Joanna Zgórska closed the meeting, summarizing the day’s discussions and emphasizing the potential for reclaimed water to support sustainable urban development.

The presentations and discussions throughout the day formed a coherent narrative, highlighting how innovative technologies, cross-sector collaboration and practical approaches to water and nutrient reuse can strengthen the resilience and sustainability of urban water systems. The ReNutriWater project exemplifies this vision, offering a promising model for sustainable water management in the Baltic Sea Region and inspiring other cities to rethink water reuse and urban resource efficiency.

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