Contenu disponible uniquement en anglais.

This article forms part of a series of publications under MEDUSA project, where we present projects related to ours around the Mediterranean (“sister projects”). We always aim to join forces, find synergies and make a change all together!

AQUACYCLE: Towards Sustainable Treatment and Reuse of Wastewater in the Mediterranean Region 

Reclaimed municipal wastewater is considered as a valuable non-conventional water resource (NCWR). Unfortunately, a substantial number of wastewater treatment plants installed in the Mediterranean region have proven unsuccessful copies of western-based treatment system concepts. Besides their high operational and maintenance costs, these systems are often unsuited to address the local challenges of wastewater treatment. To address these challenges, AQUACYCLE is set to bring an eco-innovative wastewater treatment technology that will consist of anaerobic digestion, constructed wetlands and solar treatment for the cost-effective treatment of urban wastewater with minimal costs of operation and maximum environmental benefits. Different categories will benefit from this project: Farmers’ and irrigation associations, tree nurseries, agricultural extensions services, water utilities, municipal authorities, representatives from civil society, regional and international water associations.

The main expected achievements are: First, 1 Participatory GIS (PGIS) to collect inputs from stakeholders on the reuse potential of treated effluent. Second, 3 demonstration units for municipal wastewater treatment and reuse with a capacity of 5 m3/day - combining anaerobic digestion, constructed wetland and solar treatment - established in Charguia (Tunisia), Al-Fayhaa (Lebanon) and Blanca (Spain) municipalities. Third, local action and investment plans established in Tunisia, Lebanon and Spain targeting a combined reuse potential of 900,000 m³ of treated effluent. Lastly, 1 Mediterranean Wastewater Reuse Community which brings together representatives from public authorities, research/educational institutions, international organizations, NGOs and private entities.