Guidelines and manuals
2022 • European Commission EU guidelines for water reuse – Guidelines to support the application of Regulation 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse
The EU Guidelines on Water Reuse support the application of Regulation (EU) 2020/741, which became enforceable in June 2023. These guidelines provide a structured framework for managing the safe reuse of treated urban wastewater for agricultural irrigation. They cover the general, administrative, and technical aspects of water reuse, including 11 Key Risk Management (KRM) elements. These KRMs focus on system description, risk assessment, monitoring, and management/communication, ensuring protection of public health, environmental integrity, and compliance with uniform EU standards.
Recovered Materials & Products
Water
Water reuse
Waste Streams
Wastewater
Confirmed countries
Guatemala
What is this tool intended for?
The guidelines help Member States implement Regulation (EU) 2020/741 by providing detailed risk management frameworks and quality standards for water reuse in agriculture. They aim to harmonize practices across the EU and promote sustainable water resource management.
How does this tool work?
It provides technical guidance on:
- Establishing a water reuse risk management plan.
- Ensuring compliance with microbiological and chemical water quality standards.
- Setting up monitoring systems and issuing permits for reclaimed water use.
- Employing a multi-barrier approach to ensure safety throughout the water reuse cycle.
Who might use this tool and with which types of stakeholders?
National and regional authorities, reclamation facility operators, and agricultural users. It also addresses policymakers, researchers, and environmental regulators.
What stages of a process can this tool support?
Supports the entire lifecycle: planning, permitting, risk management, implementation, and monitoring of water reuse projects.
What skills, capabilities, and resources are required to use this tool?
Knowledge of water quality standards and treatment processes, familiarity with EU water reuse regulations and environmental risk assessment methodologies.
Where can this tool be used?
Applicable throughout the EU but adaptable globally. Primarily designed for agricultural irrigation using treated urban wastewater.
Get the Tool
The guidelines are publicly accessible via the European Commission’s EUR-Lex portal.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.C_.2022.298.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AC%3A2022%3A298%3ATOC
Technologies
Reverse osmosis
Ultrafiltration
Microfiltration
Themes
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Policy and regulation