Project description
Showing the benefits of reusing water in agriculture
The agricultural reuse of treated wastewater is considered a reliable water supply – independent of seasonal drought and weather variability. However, it is an underused means of increasing water supply and alleviating pressure on over-exploited water resources in the EU. In this context, the EU funded SuWaNu Europe project will explore water reuse in eight target regions: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. Its aim is to bridge the current innovation gaps and achieve effective implementation of reuse solutions in agriculture. SuWaNu Europe will summarise, share and present existing and upcoming knowledge and skills in the field of water reuse in agriculture to the relevant stakeholders such as farmers and farming advisory groups.
Objective
Reclaimed water has a strong potential for complementing conventional water resources. According to the European Commission communication “Closing the loop - An EU action plan for the Circular Economy” (COM(2015)0614): “in addition to water-efficiency measures, the reuse of treated wastewater in safe and cost-effective conditions is a valuable but under-used means of increasing water supply and alleviating pressure on over-exploited water resources in the EU”. Water reuse is especially relevant in agriculture as this is one of the main water consumers, having additional benefits for farmers: lower cost compared to other solutions (e.g. desalination), reliability of supply regardless of season, climatic conditions and associated water restrictions, and nutrients contribution of the treated wastewater that can supplement or replace conventional fertilizers. Based on the results of a previous EU project called SuWaNu (contract number 319998) whose main result was to set research driven clusters in the field of water reuse in 5 target countries: Malta, Spain, Germany, Greece and Bulgaria, SuWaNu Europe is intended to bridge the current innovation gaps and achieve an effective implementation of reuse solutions in agriculture. SuWaNu Europe will extend the geographical coverage of its predecessor and will summarize, share and present existing and upcoming knowledge and skills in the field of water reuse in agriculture to the relevant stakeholders such as farmers and farming advisory groups. SuWaNu Europe will also create regional working groups for the development of action plans. These action plans will set strategies at regional level with the objective of boosting innovation in the agricultural and water sectors, improving best practice development and identifying the most appropriate channels to reach stakeholders. In addition to this, dissemination and training will create the capacity and competencies needed to implement these results.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processeswastewater treatment processes
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrology
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.1. - Increasing production efficiency and coping with climate change, while ensuring sustainability and resilience
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.3. - Empowerment of rural areas, support to policies and rural innovation
- H2020-EU.3.2.2.3. - A sustainable and competitive agri-food industry
- H2020-EU.3.2.4.1. - Fostering the bio-economy for bio-based industries
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.4. - Sustainable forestry
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.2. - Providing ecosystems services and public goods
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
29001 Malaga
Spain
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participants (19)
28036 MADRID
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Participation ended
28523 RIVAS VACIAMADRID
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14005 Cordoba
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27572 Bremerhaven
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38176 Wendeburg
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546 55 THESSALONIKI
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
546 36 THESSALONIKI
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4000 Plovdiv
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00186 Roma
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10124 Torino
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40137 Bologna
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61201 Tel Aviv
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7800-502 Beja
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
2100-127 CORUCHE
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1678 Nicosia
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NICOSIA
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34000 Montpellier
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
28013 MADRID
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2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.