Water reuse in Europe: the minimum requirements for irrigation

Regulation (EU) 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse has applied since 26 June 2023. It sets harmonised rules for using treated urban wastewater to irrigate crops, with the aim of easing pressure on rivers and aquifers in drought-prone regions.

The regulation defines four quality classes, from A to D. Class A, required for food crops eaten raw where the edible part touches the water, demands very low levels of E. coli, suspended solids and turbidity. Operators must also prepare a risk management plan covering the whole reuse system.

Reaching Class A reliably usually means filtration plus disinfection after conventional treatment. Ultrafiltration acts as a physical barrier to bacteria and most viruses and delivers consistently low turbidity, which makes downstream UV disinfection more effective.

Davey Products builds tertiary treatment and reuse plants, and Theway Membranes supplies the UF and MBR modules that form the barrier. VDT Europa can support municipalities and agricultural users across the EU, from feasibility to commissioning.

Talk to us

European buyers can contact the Davey Group through VDT Europa OÜ in Tallinn, Estonia. Ask an expert at contact@vdteuropa.com, or send tender documents to tenders@vdteuropa.com.