Aquaponics from WAstewater REclamation

Project Information

AWARE

Grant agreement ID: 101084245

DOI

10.3030/101084245

EC signature date 6 October 2022

Start date 1 November 2022

End date 31 October 2026

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 4 715 438,80

EU contribution

€ 4 691 437,50

Coordinated by

INNOVA SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AWARE (Aquaponics from WAstewater REclamation)

Reporting period: 2024-05-01 to 2025-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The demand for fish is increasing in Europe, creating a growth opportunity for the freshwater aquaculture sector. However, production has declined since the beginning of the 21st century due to little innovation, low product diversity, seasonality and strict regulations. Furthermore, productivity depends on the availability of water and natural habitats, which is limited in water-stressed regions and further threatened by climate change. To improve European aquaculture capacity it is therefore desirable to:
a) adopt innovative approaches for efficient and sustainable production in urban and peri-urban areas (where agricultural land and water resources are less available), and therefore closer to final consumers;
b) involve institutional and political stakeholders to create greater support for aquaculture farmers;
c) increase the resilience of aquaculture in the face of climate change and increased water stress.

AWARE promotes fish farming in aquaponics with purified (i.e. reclaimed) water, with a pilot project in the city of Castellana Grotte (BR). With the case study. the project wants:
- Demonstrate technical solutions for efficient and sustainable aquaculture from reclaimed wastewater
- Increase the circularity of wastewater as a freshwater resource to be exploited where it is generated
- Create a new value chain from producer to consumer for European economic growth and KM 0 urban agriculture
- Lay the foundations for a new regulatory and political framework

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Topic: advanced tertiary treatment of reclaimed water

Advanced tertiary treatment (IV) installed and commissioned at the field site. Wastewater characterisation completed up to storage for reuse (F); ozonation and VUV steps (G, H) completed; biofiltration efficacy (I) under evaluation

Advanced tertiary treatment fully integrated with the aquaponic RAS; on-site operators trained for routine operation

System operation complete (100%); monitoring initiated (25%); optimisation phase not yet started

Laboratory-scale aquaponic RAS operational at URJC; laboratory control and water quality monitoring initiated

Topic: aquaponic RAS design, operation and monitoring

Field site preparation completed in Castellana Grotte; aquaponic RAS installed and operational

Advanced biofilter prototype constructed; initial laboratory and pilot-scale experiments completed

Topic: food safety, quality and animal welfare

Human intervention trial protocol designed; ethical approval process ongoing

Topic: pathway to impact demonstration

No major achievements reported; preparatory activities initiated for impact framework development

Topic: engagement and outreach

Initial stakeholder mapping completed

Stakeholder engagement activities initiated in line with WP5 objectives

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

01: Aquaponic pilot farm
A multitrophic RAS aquaponic farm integrated within the wastewater treatment plant of Castellana Grotte (IT), using reclaimed wastewater as influent. The system includes a small-scale experimental setup hosted in a geodesic dome and a larger-scale configuration in a greenhouse, enabling controlled testing and scale-up assessment. The following KEY results are in preparation:

KER1.1 – Infrastructure: Geodesic dome, greenhouse and photovoltaic panels owned by AQUA, licensed for operation of the facility

KER1.2 – Aquaponic system: Integrated fish tanks, hydroponic plant beds and biofiltration units

KER1.3 – IoT system: Sensors and automation for real-time monitoring and control

KER1.4 – Data: Scripts and processes for secure storage and handling of monitoring data, including blockchain-based solutions

02: Advanced tertiary treatment
An integrated treatment train based on ozonation, vacuum UV and reactive storage, operated at the field site to remove contaminants of emerging concern and trace pollutants from reclaimed water prior to its use in aquaponics.

03: Advanced biofilters
An optimised biofilter enabling aerobic conversion of solid fish waste into assimilable fertilisers, targeting high nutrient recovery and minimisation of water losses.

04: Microbiome characterisation data
Characterisation of microbial communities supporting biological mineralisation, with potential application in the design and optimisation of industrial and environmental bioreactors.

05: Capacity building and educational material
Educational and training material designed to outlive the project, including recorded webinars, workshops and a virtual tour of the pilot facility. The pilot plant itself serves as a long-term demonstrator for sustainable food production and resource circularity.

06: New value chain (case study)
A consolidated case study combining technical solutions, regulatory analysis, SSH research and business modelling, supporting replication of reclaimed-water aquaponics in other European contexts.

IMPACTS (indicative)

Scientific impact:

First European case study of an aquaponic system integrated within a wastewater treatment plant

Open Access scientific outputs and protocols disseminated

Training and involvement of early-stage researchers and professionals

Technological impact:

Filing of a provisional patent application

Development of advanced biofiltration solutions with industrial relevance

Social and policy impact:

Structured dialogue with Italian ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment, highlighting reclaimed-water aquaculture as a novel and policy-relevant concept

Geodetic dome hosting the small-scale plant in the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Castellana Grotte

Localisation of the plant within the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Castellana Grotte

Greenhouse hosting the mid-scale plant in the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Castellana Grotte