ReQpro ProjectMeeting of Expert Orientation Group

Reggio Emilia, 12-13 November 2015

Regulatory framework for water reuse in ItalyLiliana Cortellini

Ministry of Environment-Sogesid SpA

GAPersonnel and General

AffairsRIN

Waste

CLE

Climate and

Energy

Secretary

General

STAWater, remediation of

contaminated sites,

hydrogeological risk

prevention

DPNNature and Marine

issues

VAEnvironmental and

strategic

Assessment

SVISustainable

Development and

International Affairs

7 Directorates

NATIONAL LEVEL

SUPER NATIONAL LEVEL

AEEG

CIPE

Min. HEALTH

Min.ECO.DEV Min. AGRI

REGIONAL LIVEL

ARPAsRegions

Autonomous provinces

INTER- MUNICIPAL LEVEL

MUNICIPAL LEVEL

Municipalities

Consortia for Industrial

Areas

Land reclamation and irrigation

Consortia

RIVER BASIN DISTRICT LEVEL

8 River Basin districts

Competences concerning water resource management

Regulatory Framework for water reuseLegislative Decree 3 April 2006 n. 152 (implementing the Water Framework

Directive 2000/60/CE)

Art. 98 Risparmio idrico (Water saving)1. Coloro che gestiscono o utilizzano la risorsa idrica adottano le misure

necessarie all'eliminazione degli sprechi ed alla riduzione dei consumi e ad incrementare il riciclo ed il riutilizzo, anche mediante l'utilizzazione delle migliori tecniche disponibili.

2. Le regioni, sentite le Autorità di bacino, approvano specifiche norme sul risparmio idrico in agricoltura, basato sulla pianificazione degli usi, sulla corretta individuazione dei fabbisogni nel settore, e sui controlli degli effettivi emungimenti

Regulatory FrameworkLegislative Decree 3 April 2006 n. 152 (implementing the Water Framework

Directive 2000/60/CE)

art. 99 Riutilizzo dell'acqua (Water reuse)1.Il Ministro dell'ambiente e della tutela del territorio con proprio decreto, sentiti i Ministri delle politiche agricole e forestali, della salute e delle attività produttive, detta le norme tecniche per il riutilizzo delle acque reflue

2.Le regioni, nel rispetto dei principi della legislazione statale, e sentita l'Autorità di vigilanza sulle risorse idriche e sui rifiuti, adottano norme e misure volte a favorire il riciclo dell'acqua e il riutilizzo delle acque reflue depurate

Regulation on water reuse in Italy

Ministerial Decree n. 185/2003Regolamento recante norme tecniche per

il riutilizzo delle acque reflue

Official Journal n. 169 of 23 July 2003

Sco

pe

Limit fresh and

groundwater

withdrawal

Riduce effects of

wastewater

discharge on

water bodies

Production of

unconventional

water resources

Treated Waste Water Reuse Regulation Ministerial Decree 185/2003 (1)

Water bodies Protection (Environmental Value)

Saving Water

Coping with water scarcity

Ob

jecti

ves

Irrigation• all crops for Human/Livestock Food

• public green areas (even sport facilities)

Urban use

• street cleaning;

• WC

NOTE: only in separate pipelines

Industry• all types of industrial use (cooling, production,

cleaning, fire control)

• not allowed for certain productions (food,

cosmetics……)

Ministerial Decree 185/2003 (2)

Types of Uses Allowed for TWW reuse

Recycletreating waste water suitable for

specific reuse

Treatment PlantsPlant treating waste water

In compliance with limit values

Ministerial Decree 185/2003 (3)

ReuseDistributing treated waste water instead

of fresh resources

infrastructureSeparate pipelines network

(and management),

clearly identified

Standards for water reuse(1/3)Ministerial Decree 185/2003

Notes

• Limit Values at the output of the treatment plant referred to annual average (for irrigation referred to single irrigation practice)

• In case of irrigation use: P=10mg/l; n=35mg/l. Ntot load contribute to the total Nitrate permitted amount in NVZs.

• Guidance values for pH, N ammonium, SAR, Al, Fe, Mn, chlorides, sulphites: Regions may define different values, not exceeding limit values for wastewater discharge

Standards for water reuse(2/3)Ministerial Decree 185/2003

Standards for water reuse(3/3)Ministerial Decree 185/2003

Notes

• In case of phytoremediation plan Escherichia coli Std=50UFC/100ml (80% of samples) and

200UFC/100ml (max single value)

Ministerial Decree 185/2003

Control and monitoring of Wastewater treatment plant

A Control & Monitoring programme is set out under the discharge permit

(Competent authorities and wastewater treatment plant)

Monitoring of reuse activities

• Compliance with limit values established for water reuse and monitoring of environmental and agronomic effects

(manager of the network for distribution of treated wastewater)

• Monitoring of effects on human health

Next important deadline

•Review of River Basin Management plans•By 22 dicembre 2015 : The River basin Authorities and the Regions cooperate to publish the river basin management plans

The river basin management plans include the programme of measures to achieve the environmental objectives

•Basic Measures •Supplementary measures (including water reuse)

River Basin Districts in Italy

15

Italian participation in the EU activities on water reuseContext

• Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC)

• Article 11.: establishment of measures topromote an efficient and sustainable water use.

• A Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources(COM(2012)673)

• Blueprint’s specific objective: Maximisation ofwater reuse.

• Blueprint’s proposed action: Propose anEU-level (regulatory) instrument on waterreuse.

Reuse:Significant alternative water source (lower environmental impact

compared to water transfers and desalinisation)

Limited explotation (lack of common standards, potential

limitations to free trade)

EU level perspectives (1)Water Reuse and the Blueprint

Support water reuse:

• Structural and cohesion funds and EIB loans (2014-2021)

• EU level standards for water reuse subject to Impact

Assessment and evaluation of impact on human health and

Environment

Pro

po

sa

lA

naly

sis

1) Address water

scarcityObjectives 2) Reduce

vulnerability

A. Guidance on planning and management of water reuse

• Integration in WFD planning and implementation

• Clarification on others directives (UWWTD, ND…)

• Building on MS experience (case studies)

• To be developed in the CIS framework by June 2016

EU level perspectives on water reuse (2)

B. EU quality standards for water reuse

• Priority uses: agricultural irrigation and aquifer recharge

• JRC to develop a technical proposal by Autumn 2016

• Consultation of the independent scientific committee on health and environmental risks (25/9/15 onwards)

• Opportunity to make these standards binding will be subject to an Impact assessment

EU level perspectives (3)

EU initiative on wastewater reuse, Italian position

There are significant differences in the regulations on water

reuse among Member States (i.e.: different standards)

• Common standards are needed to promote water reuse,

overcome possible trade barriers and improve acceptability

of reused water

EU initiative on wastewater reuse, perspectives

• Italy participate in the EU initative on wastewater reuse

and actively contribute (deadline: 2016)

• Possible developments in the national regulatory

framework will depend on the conclusions at EU level

Thank you

Contacts

cortellini.liliana@minambiente.it