Water recycling and reuse in EUREAU countries: Trends and challenges

EUREAU is a non-profit Union of National Associations of Water Suppliers and Wastewater Services from EU and EFTA countries. EUREAU countries depend on appropriately treated wastewater to protect the environment and ensure that freshwater is available for all applications. Water recycling and reuse through surface and groundwater bodies is common practice and public health is protected through potable water standards. The reuse of water for non potable applications or potable substitution has been proven internationally in water stressed regions to be a drought proof source of water and one of the most effective water scarcity solutions. This paper considers (a) the status of water recycling and reuse in EUREAU countries, (b) the major challenges, (c) the future views, and (d) successful examples wastewater reclamation and reuse in Europe.