maximising water reuse in the eu framework contract env.d.i/fra/2012/0014 2nd meeting with the cis...

Maximising water reuse in the EUFramework contract ENV.D.I/FRA/2012/0014

2nd meeting with the CIS Working Group

on ‘Programmes of Measures’

25 March 2014

© 2013 Bio by Deloitte

Contents

2 Study on maximising water reuse in the EU – Presentation at CIS WG PoM – 25/03/2014

• Scope

• Problem definition

• Baseline scenario

• Policy objectives

• Policy options

• Questions for discussion


Scope


Our study focuses on:

•Reuse of urban wastewater that is treated after collection and has been subject to secondary treatment (at least)

•Reuse of industrial wastewater for external purposes

For various types of applications, e.g.:

•agricultural uses

•urban uses

•industrial uses

•environmental uses

•recreational uses

•drinking water production

Not covered by this study: reuse of rainwater or greywater


What is the problem?


Source: AQUAREC project, 2006

2025

Potential for wastewater reuse ~ 3,222 Mm3/y by 2025 (probably a low end estimate)

In 2006 ~ 964 Mm3/y were reused accounting for only 2.4% of the total volume of treated effluents produced

Annual EU freshwater withdrawals: 237,660 Mm3/y in 2011

Water reuse potential estimated for 2025 would represent ~ 1.4% of this

‒ ES (2008): 525 Mm3

‒ CY (2009): 11 Mm3

‒ BG (2009): 6 Mm3

‒ ES (2009): 4 Mm3

‒ MT (2009): 1 Mm3

Most recent data from Eurostat:


National water reuse standards


MS Water stress index*

Reuse of treated wastewater is

common practice

Standards for reuse are in place (national and/or regional)

Comments

CY Severe yes yes

BG no no Water reuse potential may be limited by quantities of treated wastewater currently available.

MT yes no Regulatory measures to guide the production and use of treated sewage effluents are being considered.

BE yes no

ES High yes yes

DE no no According to information provided by the Environment Ministry, the main reason for the low uptake of reuse solutions is that sufficient water is available from other sources.

IT yes yes

PL Moderate no no Water reuse potential may be limited by quantities of treated wastewater currently available.

FR yes yes

DK no no Development of guidelines scheduled for 2014.

PT yes yes

CZ no no

GR yes yes

LT no no

*Source: AQUAREC policy brief, 2006


Trends in some key MS


• SPAIN

Legally-binding standards adopted in 2007 have played a crucial role in promoting and improving water reuse practices (Source: World Water, 2011).

A National Water Reuse Plan has been adopted. Target of 1,200 Mm3/y reclaimed water by 2018.

• ITALY:

In several regions, legally-binding standards going beyond the national ones (adopted in 2003) have been imposed, and this has limited the attractiveness of water reuse projects.

Main issues reported:

• Limit values relatively restrictive and costly to reach

• Refurbishment of WWTPs is expensive

• Proves difficult to meet the continuously changing requirements of industrial end users

• Little flexibility with regard to the choice of treatment technologies

• FRANCE:

Very few new projects since 2006, when work started on the development on new standards. Main barriers reported: quite restrictive national standards (2010) and uncertainties related to their constant evolution (revision foreseen).


What are the main barriers to water reuse?


Poor implementation of WFD (cost recovery, integration, programme of

measures, permits, etc.)

Too vague reuse

provisions in UWWTD


What should be the objectives of future EU action?


• Inadequate water pricing

• Insufficient abstraction controls on freshwater

• Reuse not seen as a component of integrated water management

• Unclear regulatory framework (in some MS)

• Stakeholders unaware of the range of benefits

• Technical barriers and scientific uncertainties

• Too stringent standards in some MS

MAXIMISE

Achieve a higher uptake of appropriate water reuse solutions, where it proves cost effective, as a way to address water scarcity

• Lack of assurance on safety and public acceptance issues (in some MS)

ENSURE SAFETY

Ensure the safety of water reuse practices

• Fear of potential internal trade barriers for food products AVOID TRADE ISSUES

Avoid potential trade barriers on food products


How can the EU act?


Objectives Possible policy measures

MAXIMISING water reuse

Development of EU guidelines to support the design and implementation of the right price structure and level for water reuse

Awareness raising campaigns, development of awareness raising tools and dissemination of information on the various benefits of water reuse, among all key stakeholders

Development of a good practice reference document on water reuse, resulting from a knowledge exchange between MS and other stakeholders

Inclusion of water reuse as a key aspect to be considered in the definition of BAT, so that it is taken into account in the development of future BREFs

Development of guidance on the allocation of EU funds supporting compliance with the UWWTD

Inclusion of water reuse in the scope of future implementation reports of the UWWTD

Amend existing EU legislation so that:

•Water reuse is given priority among alternative water supply options

•Water stressed MS would be obliged to assess the contribution water reuse can make under different water stress scenarios and, if this contribution is significant, have agreed targets for reuse of reclaimed urban wastewater as part of their RBMPs

•The contribution of water reuse to soil fertilisation would be taken into account (possible revision of the Fertiliser Regulation)

Water reuse to be included in good environmental condition rules under the cross-compliance mechanism of the CAP

Ensuring SAFETY

EU endorsement of the forthcoming ISO water reuse standards as a common referential for the management of risks

Establish legally-binding common EU water reuse standards

Address the management of health and environmental risks of water reuse as part of the EU legislation on sewage sludge recycling (possible revision of the Sludge Directive)

Avoiding TRADE issues

Establish legally-binding common EU water reuse standards (to be considered as minimum AND maximum standards)


Your feedback

10

• In your country: How would the water reuse situation evolve in the absence of future EU standards?

• What do you consider as a main obstacle for the higher uptake of water reuse, while ensuring health/env safety? In this context, what action at the EU level is seen as the most appropriate?

• If standards are in place in your country:

‒ What would be the main benefits / drawbacks of having common EU standards? (if any)

‒ To what extent are the standards based on a formal risk assessment process?

• In order to achieve the 3 objectives (maximising water reuse / ensuring safety / avoiding trade issues), what would be a suitable level of ambition for future EU standards?

• Are you aware of actual trade restrictions on food products irrigated with reclaimed water?

• Is there evidence showing that differences in water reuse standards can lead to significant differences in the production costs of food products?

• Any other comments on the policy options?

Study on maximising water reuse in the EU – Presentation at CIS WG PoM – 25/03/2014


Deloitte fait référence à un ou plusieurs cabinets membres de Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, société de droit anglais (« private company limited by guarantee »), et à son réseau de cabinets membres constitués en entités indépendantes et juridiquement distinctes. Pour en savoir plus sur la structure légale de Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited et de ses cabinets membres, consulter www.deloitte.com/about. Deloitte fournit des services professionnels dans les domaines de l’audit, de la fiscalité, du consulting et du financial advisory à ses clients des secteurs public et privé, quel que soit leur domaine d’activité. Fort d’un réseau de firmes membres dans plus de 150 pays, Deloitte allie des compétences de niveau international à un service de grande qualité afin d’aider ses clients à répondre à leurs enjeux les plus complexes. Nos 1930 00 professionnels sont animés par un même objectif, faire de Deloitte la référence en matière d’excellence de service. En France, Deloitte mobilise un ensemble de compétences diversifiées pour répondre aux enjeux de ses clients, de toutes tailles et de tous secteurs – des grandes entreprises multinationales aux microentreprises locales, en passant par les entreprises moyennes. Fort de l’expertise de ses 6 800 collaborateurs et associés, Deloitte en France est un acteur de référence en audit et risk services, consulting, financial advisory, juridique & fiscal et expertise comptable, dans le cadre d’une offre pluridisciplinaire et de principes d’action en phase avec les exigences de notre environnement.

© 2013 Bio by Deloitte. Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited

Your contacts

Lise Van LongManager01 40 88 70 42 [email protected]

Shailendra MudgalPartner01 55 61 61 [email protected]

maximising water reuse in the eu framework contract env.d.i/fra/2012/0014 2nd meeting with the cis...

Documents