Project partner meeting and conference in Berlin and Potsdam - 5-7.11.2024

WaterMan Partner Meeting: Advancing Water Reuse in Europe

Berlin-Potsdam, November 2024

Exploring the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and its impact

A joint session focused on the EU’s Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD), and its impact on water reuse. A revised version of the directive, adopted by the European Council on 5 November 2024, establishes a framework for water management practices that EU countries must integrate into national legislation by 2027. The directive imposes specific standards based on the size of sewage catchment areas, affecting urban planning and water infrastructure.

The session further addressed the growing need for practical solutions to treat urban wastewater, which remains largely inaccessible to farmers due to transport challenges. A representative of “Economic Chamber Polish Waterworks” and ReNutriWater project highlighted a new questionnaire aimed at assessing the potential for reusing treated water.

WaterMan Pilot Site Tour and Study Trip

Participants toured the Ruhleben Waste Water Treatment Plant in Berlin-Spandau, one of Berlin’s major wastewater facilities. The tour provided a closer look at treatment processes, challenges, and future objectives, as well as opportunities to discuss advancements with site representatives.

Conference on Global Water Challenges and Water Reuse on the second day

The conference opened with remarks from Dieter, underscoring the global water scarcity issue and the importance of achieving a balanced water ecosystem. Manuela Helmecke discussed Germany’s national water regulations, advocating for robust risk management plans, while Elisa Rose of KWB (Berlin Centre of Competence for Water) highlighted ten diverse pilot projects under WaterMan, each promoting water reuse and cooperation among local stakeholders.

Experts in steel industry processes, soil treatment, and agricultural water use shared insights into practical applications of recycled water. A key point emerged from Michael Stapf’s presentation on agricultural risk management, emphasizing the importance of balancing EU regulatory compliance with practical water reuse applications.

Interactive Discussion: Perspectives on Water Reuse

A discussion panel allowed participants to share views on regulatory challenges and the potential for increased water reuse in agriculture and industry. Many expressed the need for more supportive legislation, technological advancements, and public awareness campaigns to make water reuse viable. Regina Gnirss, representing a German water utility, stressed the goal of providing clean, chlorine-free water to customers, while Ulf Miehl noted the need to reduce dependency on drinking water by repurposing treated water for non-potable uses.

Manuela Helmecke also highlighted the financial aspect, explaining that cost considerations significantly influence public acceptance of reused water. The panel concluded with a shared commitment to advance risk communication and to develop clear standards for municipalities.

Day Three: Focused Workshops and Future Plans

The final day featured interactive workshops in a “world café” format. Experts and participants tackled various themes, including stormwater contamination, microbial and chemical risk assessments, and innovative treatment methods. These sessions fostered in-depth dialogue on best practices, with the participants noting new ideas and solutions for effective water reuse.

In course of the day, the plans for the next WaterMan Study Trip to the Netherlands and Belgium and the Round-tableTakl in Brussels were also discussed, highlighting opportunities to engage further with especially the national and regional authorities.

After this part, participants had a peer & expert review session related to the involvement of water users in the “real-world” pilot measures & the evaluation of the utilisation of the recycled water.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Water Reuse in Europe

The WaterMan partner meeting underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing Europe’s water challenges. As EU directives and environmental needs drive the demand for sustainable water management, projects like WaterMan are positioned to lead the way in reshaping the future of water reuse across the continent.

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