Guidelines for water reuse planning and project development

in the Mediterranean region

Condom, N.-Plan Bleu-Ecofilae Rotbard, A. -AFDMarch, 2012, 13

Study framework

Objectives

Typologies (indicators) for the Reuse projects ?

Bottlenecks and solutions?

Operational guidelines for project analysis and planning

Approach

from field experiences : synthesis of recent numerous studies (EIB, AFD, WB, Plan Bleu, EUWI, FAO, WHO, Bibliography)

a multidisciplinary approach combining waste water treatment, environmental and health risk assessment, economics, irrigation science and agronomy.

a multi-scale approach : local, national and regional

a analytical approach : indicators (technical, economics, …) to describe and evaluate

an operational approach : checklist for the stakeholders

Limitations

Non exhaustive

From distance on the basis on existing reports

Focused on domestic treated wastewater reuse by irrigation

Bottleneck & Assets

Main bottlenecks

High degree of complexity (water management, agronomy, environment, health) ->low understanding level, low coordination level

none/unsuitable regulations to the local context (West Bank, Syria)

Competition : conventional/non conventional water sources (Morocco, Syria : irrigation)

Matching the demand with the offer is difficult (time, space) (Tunisia, toursitic zones)

Traditional ‘top-down approach’ : WW treatment system unsuitable

Risk of soil salinization and groundwater contamination (Tunisia, Israel)

Lack of monitoring, control and reliable analytical facilities

Unsuitable water price setting (subsidies)

Lack of knowledge and skills (Morocco)

Public perception (France)

Main assets

Coordinated and multi-disciplinary approach (Israel, Spain, Tunisia)

‘Bottom-up approach’ : integration of the final uses in the design

TWWR as a part of the Integrated Water Resource Management

A go/no go approach for project’s planning

1- To clarify the situation

The drivers, the context and the objectives

distincly identified?

2- To assess water resources/demand

Any demand for TWW?

Can we match demand with offer ?

3- To establish the scenarii

Is the TWW reuse the best option?

Among the TWW reuse options, which one is

the best?

4- To assess the project’s viability

Financially viable ?

Risks under control?

5- Pre-feasibility study

Facilities requirement clearly identified?

6- To plan the project

GO

No

GO

GO

No

GO

GO

No

GO

GO

No

GO

GO

No

GO

Data collection

Database

(past/present/

+30 yrs)

Consultation with the stakeholders

TWWR accepted?

Step 1 : Drivers & Context

Drivers

water scarcity/water quality depletion/epidemic disease/irrigated

agriculture devt./demography/urbanization/Tourism/..

Context

Socio : perception, information level, culture

Eco : type of economy,GDP, lobbies

Politics and regulations

Physics : hydrology, climate

Facilities : WW treatment, irrigation

Water and crop management

Step 1 (cont.): Objectives of the sponsor/partners

To improve sanitary, environmental and social conditions

A new resource

To securize food production (irrigated agriculture)

To improve the WW treatment efficiency

To valorize nutrients, to refill the aquifers, to limit saline intrusion, to maintain wetlands,

To anticipate the future trends

Climate and demographic changes

To develop new applications for TWWR (recycling grey water, potable)

To enhance the economical efficiency and development

TWWR less costly than desalinization

Water selling to private stakeholders

Coordinated development of industrial, urban, recreational and touristic activities

To be involved in a positive and sustainable strategy

Steps 3&4 : Private , social Cost benefits analysis

Private Cost benefits analysis: profitability?

- Investment, operational and maintenance costs

+ Revenues from TWW, fertilizer savings, increase in water supply reliability

Frequently taken into account

Social Cost benefits analysis: social usefulness

Externalities: environment, social, health

Not taken into account in most of the cases (not documented)

Scenarii comparison

Comparison to the background scenario (25 years)

Planned reuse vs unplanned reuse or Planned reuse vs WW treatment with no reuse or Planned reuse all uses vs planned reuse by irrigation

Does the project increase/lower risks ? social, environment, agriculture, health, tourism

To go forward…

To use a holistic (eco, techno, socio..) and « bottom-up » approach

To Identify the best WW treatment options considering :

the water reuse application

the stream separation

the co-product management

To include the agrosystem as a part of the WW treatment track

(If possible) to change crop and irrigation practices

To implement procedures for risk’s control

To promote the user awarness :

to explain,

to train to increase the skill levels of the stakeholders

to change public perception and acceptance

Study : available soon on : www.planbleu.org

Condom N., Lefebvre M., Vandome L. (2012). La réutilisation des eaux usées traitées en Méditerranée : retour d’expériences et aide à l’élaboration de projets. Plan Bleu, Valbonne. (Les Cahiers du Plan Bleu 11). 63 p. ISBN : 978-2-912081-30-8

Any further information : nicolas.condom@ecofilae.fr

2012/03/15- Aix en Provence - IRSTEA's scientific and technical day on irrigation technology

worldwaterforum6.orgsolutionsforwater.org

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