Given resource scarcity, non-conventional water sources are a major lever for securing water access in agriculture.
COSTEA contributes to defining the conditions for sustainable use of these resources by integrating health, technical, economic, regulatory, environmental, and social dimensions. Its objective is to promote the operationalization of REUSE adapted to local realities.
Since 2021, COSTEA has been leading a structuring initiative on REUSE, based on the analysis of experiences conducted in Algeria, Bolivia, Morocco, Palestine, Senegal, and Tunisia. This work has documented various configurations, from small decentralized systems in rural areas to urban and peri-urban schemes, compared regulatory and institutional frameworks, and identified the main conditions for project sustainability.
The lessons learned from this work show that REUSE cannot be reduced solely to water treatment at the wastewater treatment plant outlet. It must be conceived as an integral component of the water cycle and as a territorial system connecting water production and quality, storage and distribution, agricultural practices, worker and consumer protection, nutrient and sludge recovery, economic viability, social acceptability, and governance. Its success thus relies on clear coordination among stakeholders in sanitation, water, agriculture, health, environment, training, and local authorities.
In its current phase, COSTEA is transforming this knowledge into training programs and support initiatives. Particular attention is paid to preventive risk management, the multi-barrier approach, and the co-construction of solutions adapted to local uses and contexts. The capitalization of experiences, capacity building, and networking of stakeholders should enable the replication of proven approaches and support the transition from pilot projects to sustainable, secure REUSE schemes integrated into water and agricultural policies.
Multi-barrier approach training
The “multi-barrier” approach in REUSE aims to ensure the sanitary safety of REUSE.
Organized in Tunisia by COSTEA, the training held on this topic was based on an innovative pedagogical approach, as well as field visits to pilot sites.
Highlights: exchanges between experts, challenges of adapting to local contexts, development prospects for this practice, and practice with the serious game AMBRE, simulating risk management scenarios.
The reflection on Wastewater Reuse is primarily based on the following observations:
What we do
Our action aims to provide key insights to public decision-makers from relevant ministries and REUSE stakeholders to identify opportunities and develop/improve REUSE schemes. It allows for the study of REUSE success conditions based on existing or planned operations.
We specifically document REUSE systems in territories, including wastewater reuse projects at two thematic scales:
Reuse of water and sludge from small decentralized systems in rural municipalities (fewer than 1000 inhabitants) and reuse of water from urban and peri-urban 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.