scholarly journals Water reuse and desalination in Spain – challenges and opportunities

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
General Framework ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Seawater Desalination ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Alternative Water ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract This article offers an evaluation of the reuse of reclaimed water and desalination in Spain and aims to provide an overview of the state of the art and Spanish legal framework as far as non-conventional resources are concerned. The fight against the scarcity of water resources in this country, especially in the southeast, has made the production of new alternative water resources a clear priority and has turned the nation into a leader in water reuse and seawater desalination. The assessment presented can be used to help build a more general framework, like the European one, and shed light on other comparative legal experiences.

Role of water reuse for enhancing integrated water management in Europe and Mediterranean countries

2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Lazarova ◽  
B. Levine ◽  
J. Sack ◽  
G. Cirelli ◽  
P. Jeffrey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Integrated Water Management ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Mediterranean Regions ◽  
Alternative Water

Recycling water is an important aspect of water resource and environment management policies, ensuring reliable alternative water resources, reducing environmental pollution and achieving a more sustainable form of development. This paper focuses on wastewater reuse as a strategy for integrated water management. Key economic, financial, regulatory, social and technical factors that help to make water reuse projects successful are reviewed. Selected examples from Northern and Western Europe and arid and semi-arid Mediterranean regions illustrate the contribution of wastewater reuse to integrated management of water resources.

scholarly journals A Systemic View on Circular Economy in the Water Industry: Learnings from a Belgian and Dutch Case

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3313
Author(s):  
Tanaka Mandy Mbavarira ◽  
Christine Grimm
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Water System ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Water Industry ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Urban Water System ◽  
Mapping Tool ◽  
True Value

Water is fundamental to our existence and has increasingly been put under pressure by soaring population growth, urbanization, agricultural farming and climate change; all, of which impact the quantity and quality of our water resources. Water utilities (WUs) are challenged to provide clean, safe drinking water when faced with aging, costly infrastructure, a price of water that is not reflective of its true value and the need for infrastructure to remain resilient in a time when threats of floods and droughts are pervasive. In the linear take-use-discharge approach, wastewater is treated only to be returned to waterways and extracted again for treatment before drinking. This can no longer sustain our water resources as it is costly, energy-intensive and environmentally unsound. Circular economy (CE) has been gaining attention in the water industry to tackle this. It follows the 6Rs strategy of reduce, reuse, recycle, reclaim, recover and restore to keep water in circulation for longer and reduce the burden on natural systems. The aim of this study is to determine what the economic and operational system effects of CE are on WUs, informing them of CE’s potential to change their business operations and business model while highlighting its associated challenges. Based on a review of literature, input from expert interviews (Q4 2019) and case studies, an economic view of the urban water system is qualitatively modeled, on top, of which a circular water economy system is designed using a causal loop-diagramming system mapping tool. Digitalization, water reuse and resource recovery were determined to underpin circularity in water, providing operational benefits through efficiencies and diversification of revenue streams. However, issues of investment and a missing enabling legal framework are slowing the rate of uptake. On this basis, CE represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the water industry.

DEVELOPMENT OF A CREDIBLE RISK MODEL FOR A RECLAIMED WATER REUSE ANALYSIS FOR THE F. WAYNE HILL WATER RESOURCES CENTER

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (11) ◽  
pp. 108-128
Author(s):  
Holly A. Elmendorf ◽  
Frank J. Stephens ◽  
Shobha B. Rao ◽  
James Salter ◽  
Joseph Jacangelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Risk Model ◽  
Reclaimed Water

scholarly journals Technical and Agronomical Assessment of the Use of Desalinated Seawater for Coastal Irrigation in an Insular Context

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrián Monterrey-Viña ◽  
Ana Musicki-Savic ◽  
Francisco J. Díaz-Peña ◽  
Baltasar Peñate-Suárez
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Gran Canaria ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Alternative Water ◽  
Water And Food Security

The growing need for alternative water resources for irrigation has led to advanced technological developments, which are addressing some of the challenges that our planet is facing regarding the water supply. The Canary Islands Archipelago (Spain) is a singular territory with several years of desalination experience while using desalinated seawater (DSW) for agricultural purposes. The current paper will address the conducted research of one of the case studies done into the Horizon 2020 project MAGIC, with the aim of analyzing the use of DSW for crop production in the Southeast of Gran Canaria Island. A methodology of surveying farmers in the area has been put in practice, as well as an assessment of potential soil degradation risks that are related to DSW irrigation (with fifteen years of DSW data). Additionally, local good practices to improve the DSW quality for irrigation are discussed. This study demonstrates an excellent endorsement of the surveyed farmers in the studied area regarding the use of DSW for irrigation: the strategy of combining this type of water with other water resources, such as groundwater and/or reclaimed water is very frequent and it can guarantee water and food security in the island’s territory.

scholarly journals Water reuse perceptions of students, faculty and staff at Western University, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Velasquez ◽  
E. K. Yanful
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Personal Contact ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Faculty And Staff ◽  
The University ◽  
Urban Water Cycle ◽  
University Community

Global fresh water resources are under increasing pressure from rapidly growing demands and changing climatic conditions. Wastewater reclamation is becoming an important alternative for sustainable water resources management and building climate change resiliency in many regions around the world. Public acceptance and trust of consumers in the quality of reclaimed water is considered by many to be the most important factor determining the outcomes of water reclamation projects. Knowledge of the urban water cycle and water reuse perceptions of student, faculty and staff at Western University were investigated. Results showed that members of the university community are more likely to accept reclaimed wastewater for applications that do not involve drinking or close personal contact. Knowledge of the urban water cycle and water resources in Canada is modest among the university community with a moderate (G = 0.303, p < 0.05) positive relationship between ‘water knowledge’ and ‘close contact acceptability’. The majority of the university community (75.8%) thinks that reclaiming water to provide an alternate source of water in southwestern Ontario is a good idea, but there are still concerns about the presence of chemicals such as pharmaceuticals from reclaimed water and the long-term effects on human health from exposure to these contaminants.

scholarly journals Public perception and acceptability of reclaimed water: the case of Shandong province, China

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongfan Zhu ◽  
Aihua Li ◽  
Hongrui Wang
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Graphical Analysis ◽  
Public Attitude ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Alternative Water

Abstract Shandong is a typical region in northern China that is experiencing a serious shortage of water resources. To tackle the water resources shortage, Shandong is striving to develop alternative water resources, in addition to efficiently utilizing regular water resources, of which, the utilization of reclaimed water plays a major role. However, the successful implementation of the reclaimed water projects heavily depends on public perception and a positive public attitude toward reclaimed water. This study examines public perception of water resources and public attitude toward reclaimed water in Shandong through a questionnaire survey. The results indicate that the public lacks a general understanding of water resources in Shandong. The public positively accepts using reclaimed water for all 12 purposes examined. However, their receptivity of some of the purposes is relatively weak, especially with respect to domestic potable water. Graphical analysis results indicate that older people and people with higher educational levels are more willing to accept reclaimed water. Finally, this study recommends a group of people as the a priori target to improve public receptivity. The study could also provide a valuable reference for other regions of China and developing countries facing similar advancements in the development of reclaimed water.

Water from (waste)water – the dependable water resource (The 2001 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate Lecture)

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 23-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Asano
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Water Quality Criteria ◽  
Water Reclamation ◽  
Dependable Water

Water reclamation and reuse provides a unique and viable opportunity to augment traditional water supplies. As a multi-disciplined and important element of water resources development and management, water reuse can help to close the loop between water supply and wastewater disposal. Effective water reuse requires integration of water and reclaimed water supply functions. The successful development of this dependable water resource depends upon close examination and synthesis of elements from infrastructure and facilities planning, wastewater treatment plant siting, treatment process reliability, economic and financial analyses, and water utility management. In this paper, fundamental concepts of water reuse are discussed including definitions, historical developments, the role of water recycling in the hydrologic cycle, categories of water reuse, water quality criteria and regulatory requirements, and technological innovations for the safe use of reclaimed water. The paper emphasizes the integration of this alternative water supply into water resources planning, and the emergence of modern water reclamation and reuse practices from wastewater to reclaimed water to repurified water.

Facing water shortage in a Mediterranean tourist area: seawater desalination or water reuse?

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Xu ◽  
F. Brissaud ◽  
M. Salgot
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Economic Modelling ◽  
Seawater Desalination

An integrated technical-economic modelling framework was developed to help planning and managing of water resources in a Mediterranean tourist area, Palma on Majorca island (Spain). Due to high water demand, groundwater resources are depleted and new water resources should be developed. Seawater desalination has become an important solution to water shortage, especially in the summer tourist season. Meanwhile, reclaimed water has been applied for agricultural and landscape irrigation. With regard to the treated wastewater not being effectively reused, further water reuse scenarios are envisaged in order to meet new water demand, restore over-exploited aquifers and reduce expensive seawater desalination. Three types of models were established and coupled: (i) hydrological models; (ii) water demand and/or need model; (iii) technical-economic model. In addition, a multi-criteria analysis completed the technical-economic modelling. The simulated water reuse scenarios are not alternative but complementary. They provide the possibilities for total reuse of wastewater in the Palma area. Compared with seawater desalination, water reuse is a cost-effective solution to address water scarcity issues in the Palma area. Using tertiary effluent for landscape irrigation allows over-exploited aquifers to recover. It is very attractive in terms of economic benefits and feasible with respect to technical and social aspects. Further water reuse for extending agricultural irrigation can greatly reduce seawater desalination but acquiring the farmers' agreement to give up pumping groundwater for irrigation would meet some difficulties. Water recharge would help to totally reuse wastewater but uncertainties related to public perception and the attitude or regulatory board and local authorities need dealing with. Because water reuse requires a long-term managing viewpoint in order to prepare and demonstrate its feasibility and security, seawater desalination was adopted as an emergency solution to meet peak demands during the tourist season and in case of drought.

scholarly journals Financial Evaluation of the Use of Reclaimed Water in Agriculture in Southeastern Spain, A Mediterranean Region

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2218
Author(s):  
María. J. López-Serrano ◽  
Juan F. Velasco-Muñoz ◽  
José A. Aznar-Sánchez ◽  
Isabel M. Román-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Financial Evaluation ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Economic Profit ◽  
Desalinated Water ◽  
Financial Perspective ◽  
Alternative Water ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

In a global context where agriculture is the major consumer of water, there is a pressing need to look for alternative water resources. In light of there being a lack of studies that compare the use of diverse water alternatives in different crops, the overall objective of this research is to evaluate the impact generated by the use of tertiary water from an economic and financial perspective and compare it with groundwater and desalinated water. To reach this objective, a detailed study of the cost structure of greenhouse investment has been developed. Furthermore, the most traditional indicators for investment profitability have been calculated for the three different water alternatives: tertiary water, groundwater and desalinated water. The cost analyses demonstrate the relative short reach that the price of water has in an area of greenhouse agriculture exploitation, which provides a margin of increasing water costs while still allowing for economic profit. Taking into account the three water resources considered, evidence shows that the use of tertiary water is not only financially and economically viable but is also the best alternative water resource above desalinated water in terms of profitability and sustainability.

Water reuse and integrated water resources management in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Mujeriego ◽  
J. López
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Integrated Water Resources Management ◽  
Partial Substitution ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Essential Components

Water reclamation and reuse have become essential components of water resources management in Vitoria-Gasteiz, by helping to overcome historical water deficits experienced by the city with respect to water allocations set in 1973 with the Metropolitan Area of Bilbao, for the conjunctive use of the Urrunaga-Ullibarri reservoirs system. By generating a reliable flow of 35,000° m3/day of high quality reclaimed water, the options available for integrated water resources management have widely expanded as to allow in-stream river flow substitution, agricultural irrigation, seasonal storage of reclaimed water, and more favorable flood control policies for the Urrunaga-Ullibarri reservoirs system. Those management options have been made possible thanks to the implementation of an extensive and elaborated water distribution and storage system (reuse component) that allows distribution of reclaimed water to 10,000 ha of farmland, seasonal storage in a 7 hm3 reservoir, partial substitution of in-stream river water, and the potential consideration of water augmentation in reservoirs. The continuous support and promotion by agricultural users, the excellent operation and maintenance records of the project, and its favorable economic features have been instrumental in assuring a wide acceptance of this innovative water management option, under the Vitoria-Gasteiz social, economic, geographical and water resources conditions.

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