Drafting CIS Guidance on Water Reuse: State of play

Claudia de LucaDG ENV, Unit C1 Water

Activities to date An outline structure of the guidance circulated for comment to CIS

WG Programme of Measures (PoM) in mid-2015 First draft guidance shared with WG PoM in October 2015 WG PoM established a drafting group (MSs and stakeholders) Second draft produced and discussed by drafting group in

December 2015 Third draft circulated for comments to drafting group, previous WG

PoM, WG Chemicals, Groundwater, Ecostat, SCG and the EIP Action groups

Key Points: Scope

The CIS guidance document provides information, guidance and pilot case examples Attention on river basin/water scarcity planning – taking in

consideration water hierarchy The guidance stresses the importance of all relevant sources and

uses for reused treated wastewater; main emphasis on appropriate safe use in irrigation (agriculture and landscape) and aquifer recharge.

It explores benefits, risks and challenges of reuse.

Key Points: Reuse standards

The guidance does not promote specific standards, but stresses the need to meet the right standards for each use and refers to MS/international standards

It explores how standards should be promoted and implemented, e.g. in public communication, issuing permits, monitoring, etc.

Key Points: Planning, Communication and Funding

It provides a step-by-step guide to the main issues to consider in planning for reuse

It explores the consistency with the existing EU legislation (WFD, Groundwater legislation, UWWTD, Nitrate Directive)

It examines funding issues, such as income generation from water pricing, EU funding water reuse schemes, etc.

It stresses the role of public participation and communication

Future planning

Comments on the 3rd draft of the guidance due by 17 February Need to get the text right – correct emphasis, accuracy, etc., and

seeking for other examples Draft 4 will be discussed during the drafting group meeting in March

2016 Final draft to be provided to SCG in May 2016 Aim: Water Directors approval in June 2016 The timetable is ambitious, but we have kept to the planned

timetable to this point!

Thank you for your attention !

Information and documents available at the dedicated EC Internet page:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/reuse.htm