PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Around 20% of the population living in Europe’s Mediterranean region face constant water pressures, with this share increasing by 50% in summer. By 2030, shortages could affect 50% of all catchment areas in Europe. The Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole (3M) territory is already facing shortages and must import water; its population is increasing by 1.85% every year while its freshwater needs are increasing by 2.5%. In this context, the LIFE ReWA project seeks to create a new resource : recycled water of a modular nature produced from various treated water water sources to cover multiple uses.
OBJECTIVES
The LiFE ReWa project aims to set up mobile production units (UMP) of recycled water (RW) originating from different wastewater plants and to use this RW as a new resource with multiple uses, adapted to local and seasonal needs. It will construct a demonstration UMP that will be temporarily installed in five pilot waste water treatment plants. The units will produce water with four levels of quality that will be stored for a range of uses: cleaning of rainwater and waste water networks; street cleaning; irrigation including urban green spaces; firefighting; and industrial use such as the good maintenance of waste water treatment plants.
The project will contribute to EU legislation such as the 8th action programme for the environment, along with the Water Framework Directive, the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the new circular economy action plan.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Production of 175 000 m3 of RW per year with four quality levels, in 5 WWTP in the 3M territory;
- Production of RW at an average cost of less than €2/m3 (excluding tax);
- A RW quality compliance rate of 95%;
- 15 storage areas with a capacity of seven days of RW needs;
- Production of further 20 000 m3 RW for the four quality levels (5 000 m3 per level) in the replication areas of Castanet-Tolosan, Cugnes-les-Pins and in the Grands Domaine du Littoral (GDL) vineyard;
- Production of further 1,000 m3 RW for the four quality levels (250 m3 per level) at the replication area of the Catalan camp grounds;
- Social acceptance rate of 60% for 1 000 direct and indirect respondents to survey; and
- Raised awareness about the potential for RW
Long-term expected results:
- Replication of the project at the eight remaining wastewater treatment plants in the 3M territory;
- Production 680 000 m3/year of RW by 2030; and
- Production of 1 000 000 m3/year RW by 2041 with the construction of two additional UMP and corresponding water storage equipment.
