Water-scarce countries, like the Gulf States, Australia, and those in southern Europe, have reused treated sewage effluent for many years. In Spain, a royal decree established a framework for water use that sees the country recycles 343 cubic hectometres of water each year. Similarly, Cyprus recovers over 90% of its wastewater.
Now, the availability of water in other areas of the world is causing concern. Across Europe, 11% of the population is now affected by water scarcity, and that figure is rising. In response, the EU’s latest water reuse regulation was introduced on 26 June 2023 to establish new quality, monitoring, and permitting requirements.
While regulations can incentivise sustainable action, many industrial users are also taking their own steps to improve water stewardship. By making it central to their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, they demonstrate a commitment to impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
At Royal HaskoningDHV, we’re committed to helping our clients design and deploy the right water treatment technologies to enable water reuse at their sites. But we want to go even further. Our aim is to help establish sustainable water management processes that recognise the intrinsic value of effluent as a freshwater source that benefits both society and the environment.
One option is to treat the effluent we produce 24/7, 365 days per year, for household or agricultural reuse. This approach can help us maintain freshwater supply during periods of drought and is particularly suitable for densely populated areas where demand is high.
New technologies that effectively remove micropollutants, pathogens, and other unwanted components can provide this new source of fresh water and ensure our water security for future generations.
The benefits of effluent reuse consultancy
We can engage in projects from desk studies – such as cost and benefit calculations – through to pilot tests and full-scale deployments. Our consultants’ technical knowledge will help you deliver scale and flexibility in effluent treatment and distribution.
The viability and necessity of integrating treated wastewater into fresh water sources varies greatly by location. Our experts can help you gain a deeper understanding of your catchment’s groundwater levels and the impact that your water reuse will have on water availability.
Whether you provide wastewater or drinking water services, or you’re an industrial user looking to improve your brine management, it’s vital to understand today’s regulatory landscape. Our experts have deep knowledge of governance and legislation on effluent reuse so you can meet the demands of regulators and stakeholders.
To ensure the right approach to water reuse, you need a partner who can give independent, connected advice. We combine regulatory awareness with proven technical expertise in hydrology and wastewater treatment to successfully design and deliver complex water projects.
Discover how we helped a Dutch water authority identify opportunities to reuse treated effluent and deliver a blueprint for circularity.
For decades, Royal HaskoningDHV has delivered innovative wastewater treatment processes and solutions. Our water reuse consultancy combines technical expertise, extensive knowledge of legislation and permitting, and design services to ensure you get exactly the right solution for your site or service area’s needs.
Looking ahead, it's clear that we'll need to diversify our sources of water for agriculture and industry – even possibly for drinking. Treated wastewater will play a crucial role in this new mix.
Treated process effluent reuse is an essential part of achieving water circularity for industries.
Contact our Water Technology experts!