On 10th October 2023, Gruppo Cap organised the seminar “Wastewater Treatment has a new tomorrow”, which was held at Gruppo Cap’s new headquarters in Milan. Thanks to the participation of representatives from the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, the National Ministry for Health, regulators, and water experts from Europe and beyond, the seminar offered valuable insights into the potential of water reuse to reduce pressures on freshwater resources.

In line with what emerged at Aqua Publica Europea’s seminar on the same topic, water reuse represents an effective approach that responds to the increasing need to use different qualities of water for different uses. The entry into force of the new EU regulation on water reuse in agriculture, as well as advancements in technology and methodology (in particular through the application of the risk-based approach) ensures that reclaimed water is safe. However, while technology is mature and water operators are ready to provide reclaimed water when needed, the potential of water reuse depends very much on the geographical context.

What is more, some implications of water reuse needs to be carefully considered to assess its real societal added value; these include: the distribution of costs (in particular in relation to farmers), the energy implications and the potential rebound effect in aggregate water demands. For these reasons, while water reuse is an important tool to reduce pressures on water resources, it is not per se a panacea to ensure a sustainable use of water in the long term.