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The Commission is also carrying out regular consultations with Member States and stakeholders in the
framework of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) for the implementation of the Water Framework
Directive. Proceedings of this activity, including presentations on Member State experiences with water
reuse, are available on CIRCABC.

Published in April 2016, the Inception Impact Assessment on the initiative “Minimum quality requirements
for reused water in the EU (new EU legislation)” sets out in greater detail the background, the policy
objectives and options as well as their likely impacts. 1

2.4 Examples and best practices of water reuse

2.4.1 The European Water Movement

The European Movement for Water as a Commons is an open, inclusive and pluralistic network of
movements, social organizations, committees, unions whose goal is to reinforce the recognition of water
as a commons and as a fundamental universal right, an essential element for all living beings. We are part
of the global water justice movement. We are united to fight against privatisation and commodification of
this vital good, and to construct a public and communal management of water, founded on the democratic
participation of citizens and of workers. 2

2.4.2 Example of water reuse for horticulture in the Netherlands

The Dutch Water Authority ‘Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard’, together with ‘Aqua-Terra Nova’ and ‘PB
Techniek’, has successfully operated the innovative AquaReUse facility since 2014. AquaReUse is a water
treatment and buffering complex where all horticulture wastewater is collected in one central location in
a made-to-measure facility. In this facility all the waste and surface water is treated to provide irrigation
water, which meets all relevant quality requirements of the horticulture farmers and their clients. This
facility enables reuse of wastewater and produces good quality irrigation water for vegetable crops and
floricultures. The purified fresh water, on average approximately 123,000 m3 per year, is made available
via a distribution system to the greenhouses (maximum flow rate of 52 m 3 /h). Where the purified water
cannot be delivered directly, the surplus is injected into the ground to be used as a reserve.

2.4.3 Example of industrial reuse of treated wastewater

The Tarragona site in the south of Catalonia, Spain, utilises secondary effluent from two municipal
wastewater plants, treating it for industrial users. The Tarragona area is highly water stressed and water
availability hinders further growth in the region. Water reuse in an industrial park (a petrochemical
complex) will free up existing raw water rights to meet future local (municipal and tourism) demand. The
final target is to meet 90% of the water demand of the industrial park from water reuse.

1 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/reuse.htm
2 http://europeanwater.org/about-the-european-water-movement