Wastewater reuse

Our main publications

Click on the images to download the final synthesis report with recommendations and the action poster.

Why wastewater reuse?

The focus on wastewater reuse is mainly based on the following points:

  • The success of reuse projects depends on multiple factors (the sustainability equation for reuse projects) that need to be addressed in an integrative approach. There is a real need to produce knowledge on these factors and capitalise on what already exists.
  • Reuse projects struggle to get off the ground, in particular because the decision-making and political level requires support, and the link between the different actors involved in reuse is insufficiently developed.
  • Assessment tools adapted to local conditions are lacking, as is the fully fledged integration of the reuse of treated wastewater into overall water resource management strategies.

What do we do?

Our action aims to provide the public decision makers of the different ministries concerned and REUSE actors with the keys to identify opportunities and develop/improve REUSE schemes. It makes it possible to study the conditions for successful REUSE based on existing or planned operations.
More specifically, we document REUSE schemes in areas with wastewater reuse projects focusing on two themes:
the reuse of water and sludge from small decentralised systems in rural communities (less than 1000 inhabitants) and the reuse of water from urban and suburban treatment plants.

Our work focuses on Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Palestine and Bolivia.

Launched in January 2021, this action was entrusted to SCP as international coordinator and to six pairs of national experts. It was completed in November 2022.