Smart Solutions for Sustainable Water Management in Europe's Coastal Regions

Kicker (computed)

News publ. 16. Dec 2024

Ein weites Feld mit Bewässerungsanlage
© Getty Images/unsplash

Paragraphs
Text

After four years of cross-sector collaborative efforts to address water challenges in Europe’s coastal regions, the B-WaterSmart project, funded by the EU Horizon 2020, has successfully concluded. The project played an important role in developing innovative solutions for water scarcity and pollution for Europe’s coastal regions and beyond. Four new key policy briefs provide actionable recommendations.

Text

Coastal regions are home to 40% of the EU's population, yet they face significant challenges, including overpopulation, water shortages, and environmental pollution. These areas are often at the forefront of climate change impacts, making it essential to find effective solutions to preserve and manage water resources.

The B-WaterSmart project sought to accelerate the transition towards water-smart economies in these regions through a series of targeted interventions and innovations. These focused on improving water efficiency, promoting the reuse of wastewater, and developing circular water management practices. 

Employee
Image
adelphi Mitarbeiter Ronjon Heim
Quote (without marks)
Water scarcity and pollution are no longer distant threats—they are here and now. The solutions developed in B-WaterSmart show that with cross-sectoral collaboration and innovation, we can address these challenges effectively.
Quotable
Ronjon Heim
Quotable description
Senior Researcher Water at adelphi research
Text

United Efforts Across Borders leads to Long-Term Impact

At the heart of the project were six Living Lab communities in Alicante (Spain), Bodø (Norway), Flanders (Belgium), Lisbon (Portugal), East Frisia (Germany), and Venice (Italy). These communities provided real-world environments where innovative water-smart solutions could be tested and refined. 

By working closely with local municipalities, water utilities, businesses, and academic experts, the project team developed a range of solutions designed to address specific regional needs. The collaborative approach ensured that the lessons learned were scalable and adaptable to other regions across Europe.

Key Figures
Number (or token)
40
Headline
per cent of the EU's population
Description
living in coastal regions
Number (or token)
6
Headline
Living Lab communities
Description
providing real-world, scalable environments
Number (or token)
2
Headline
per cent of total treated water currently reused in the EU
Description
is far below its potential to alleviate freshwater resources
Image
Eine bergige Landschaft, durch deren Mitte ein Fluss fließt
© Ricardo Resende/unsplash
Text

Policy Recommendations for a Water-Smart Future

One of the key achievements of adelphi research was the assessment of legal and institutional barriers to the implementation of water-smart solutions. The team conducted workshops and communications with stakeholders across Europe, identifying opportunities for policy change at local, national, and EU levels. 

Four policy briefs were developed, focusing on areas such as nutrient recovery from wastewater, circular water infrastructure, energy recovery, and the implementation of the EU Water Reuse Regulation. These briefs aim to support the ongoing transformation of Europe’s water management and wastewater systems.

Text

Accelerating water smartness by successfully implementing the EU Water Reuse Regulation (2020/741)

Explores Portugal's legal framework for water reuse in agriculture, drawing on insights from the Horizon 2020 projects B-WaterSmart and WATER-MINING to offer recommendations for EU-wide adoption.

Link Headline
Accelerating water smartness by successfully implementing the EU Water Reuse Regulation (2020/741)
Link
Read the Policy Brief
Text

Unleashing the untapped energy potential of wastewater

Examines the EU’s revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, focusing on the energy neutrality target for wastewater treatment plants by 2045, and offers policy recommendations based on insights from the B-WaterSmart project. 

Link Headline
Unleashing the untapped energy potential of wastewater
Link
Read more
Text

Fostering circular water infrastructure

Highlights the need to accelerate the transition to a circular water economy, drawing on insights from the B-WaterSmart project to offer recommendations for creating an enabling environment for large-scale water infrastructure and enhancing water resilience in Europe.

Link Headline
Fostering circular water infrastructure
Link
To the publication
Text

Applying Urban Wastewater and Sludge as Nutrients for Agriculture Use

Explores the EU’s goal to reduce nutrient losses by 50% by 2030, drawing on insights from the B-WaterSmart project to highlight challenges and opportunities in nutrient recovery and provide recommendations for implementing key policies, including the Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan and the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

Link Headline
Applying Urban Wastewater and Sludge as Nutrients for Agriculture Use
Link
Full Policy Brief
Main topics
Water

Always stay informed

Our latest adelphi insights straight to your inbox via our newsletter.

Subscribe

All Categories

  • Who We Are

    Who We Are

    adelphi consult is a leading independent consultancy specialising in climate, environment and development. Together with adelphi research and adelphi global, we combine scientific analysis, evidence-based advisory services and international cooperation.

    Glass mosaic with people in motion
    Who We Are