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EVENT REPORT | THE VALUE OF WATER(S): Strategies to reduce impact on freshwater resources

More than 120 people attended in person or online the seminar Aqua Publica Europea organised on 30 March 2023 to explore the potential and challenges of implementing the new EU Water Reuse Regulation, as well as the opportunities for alternative water sources in urban contexts.

Seminar Water Reuse picture

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of droughts. Water stress is increasingly common across Europe with a third of the EU now suffering from water scarcity all year round. In 2020, the European Commission proposed a new Regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse for agricultural irrigation (2020/741) to increase efficiency in the use of water resources.

On 30 March 2023, Aqua Publica Europea (APE) organised, in partnership with Águas de Gaia, the public seminar "THE VALUE OF WATER(S): Strategies to reduce impact on freshwater resources" in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, to explore the potential and challenges of implementing the new EU Water Reuse Regulation, as well as the opportunities for alternative water sources in urban contexts.

After a summary overview of the Regulation by a representative of the European Commission, two public water operators shared their experiences with water reuse in Belgium and Portugal. Their presentations were followed by a discussion with a representative from the irrigated agriculture sector who shared their views on barriers to increased use of reused water in agriculture.

These aspects were further fed by experiences from a public water utility operating in an Italian region hit by water scarcity. The Portuguese water regulator, which recently published guidance on water reuse, brought additional perspectives to the discussions before a representative from the Portuguese Water Council outlined best practices from other regions of the world, including California and Israel.

A representative from the Portuguese Environmental Authority closed the public seminar. He stressed the need for a change of mindset to boost water efficiency, increase awareness about water protection, and ensure a high level of investment in infrastructure maintenance and preparedness – not only in view of future droughts but also of heavy rainfall episodes.

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