Policy and Regulations

Timeline of regulatory initiatives relating to water reuse at a EU level

Until the 2020 EU regulations on minimum requirements for water reuse, European wide standards or guidelines to regulate water reuse in Europe were inexistent. However, over the years, the EU has developed a portfolio of directives developed to protect the environment and human health, regulate the water cycle and are therefore of major importance for water reuse. These regulatory initiatives are listed below including links to the relevant documents.

Further information on policies and regulatory tools developed nationally for specific water reuse applications in six of the 28 EU member states are also provided in the table below the timeline with links to the relevant documents when available.

June 2023

Regulation (EU) 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse come into effect

On 26 June 2023, the regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse will officially come into place.

June 2020

Regulation (EU) 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse

The first European wide regulation on water reuse, specifically the minimum requirements for water reuse.

December 2019

Water reuse for agricultural irrigation: EU Council approves provisional agreement

The regulation sets out harmonised minimum water quality requirements for the safe reuse of treated urban wastewaters for agricultural irrigation. It contains strict requirements for the quality of reclaimed water and its monitoring to ensure that human and animal health as well as the environment are protected.

December 2019

Water reuse for agricultural irrigation: EU Council approves provisional agreement

The regulation sets out harmonised minimum water quality requirements for the safe reuse of treated urban wastewaters for agricultural irrigation. It contains strict requirements for the quality of reclaimed water and its monitoring to ensure that human and animal health as well as the environment are protected.

June 2019

General approach agreed to water reuse for agricultural irrigation

The European Council agreed its position (general approach) on a regulation which facilitates the use of urban waste water for agricultural irrigation.

February 2019

Proposal for a regulation of the European parliament and of the council on minimum requirements for water reuse

The European parliament endorses rules to promote agricultural reuse.

May 2018

New rules to stimulate and facilitate water reuse for agricultural irrigation

The legislative proposal aspires to incentivise the reuse of treated waste water while ensuring a high level of protection of health and the environment.

February 2018

Adoption of proposal for changes to the Drinking Water Directive

(98/82/EC)
Despite no specific mention of water reuse, the document provides an emphasis on helping Europe transition to a "circular economy".

January 2018

EU Minimum requirements for water reuse in agricultural irrigation and aquifer recharge - Science For Policy Report

(DG Environment/Joint Research Centre of the European Commission)
Proposes minimum quality requirements for the reuse of water for agricultural purposes and aquifer recharge for the protection of the environment and human health. To be used as a basis for defining future EU legislation on the reuse of water in agriculture.

October 2016

EU Level instruments on Water Reuse

Final Report on the development of EU level instruments of water reuse published to support the European Commission's Impact Assessment.

June 2016

Guidelines for Integrating Water Reuse into Water Planning and Management in the context of the Water Framework Directive

Proposes a common strategy for the development and implementation of reuse schemes including sources, uses, benefits, planning steps, public and stakeholder interaction and funding.

2015

Water Reuse in Europe - Relevant guidelines, needs for and barriers to innovation

This JRC Science and Policy Report analyses the technical, environmental and socioeconomic challenges associated with water reuse as a strategic water management option to meet the increasing demand for water resources.

2013

Priority Substance Directive

(2013/39/EU)
An amendment to the Water Framework Directive. Sets out a list of 45 "priority" substances for surface waters which must stay below specified levels that are safe for water bodies and human health.

2006

Groundwater Directive

(2006/118/EC)
Sets groundwater quality standards and introduces measures to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater.

2000

Council Directive (The Water Framework Directive)

(2000/60/EC)
Sets out rules to stop deterioration in the status of EU water bodies and achieve "good status" for Europe's rivers, lakes and groundwater by 2015. Includes guaranteeing sustainable water usage by individuals and businesses, hence indirectly recognises reuse as a strategy for increasing water availability.

1998

Revision of the Drinking Water Directive

(98/83/EC)
Adds requirement to the Directive (80/778/EC) regarding the materials and substances used in the distribution of drinking water.

1991

Urban Wastewater Treatment Council Directive

(91/271/EC)
Aims at protecting the environment from the adverse effects of urban wastewater discharges. Specifically imposes the collection and treatment of wastewater from all urban areas if more than 2,000 p.e.

1980

1st Drinking Water Directive

(80/778/EC)
Sets out the quality of water intended for human consumption.

Policies and regulatory tools in place at national level across the European Union

Cyprus

2005 – Standards for the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation, Decree no. 296/03.06.05 adopted in 2005 along with a Code of Good Agricultural Practice (P.I. 263/2007).

Issuing institutions:

Ministry of Agriculture, Natural resources and Environment
Water development Department

2002-2013 – The Water Pollution Control Laws. The basic legislative instrument on which the control of water and soil pollution control is regulated is Law No. 106 (I)/2002. This Law together with its amendments (No. (I)/2005, 76 (I)/2006, 22 (I)/2007, 11 (I)/2008, 53 (Ι)/2008, 68 (I)/2009, 78 is known as “The Control of Water Pollution Laws 2002 to 2013″

The Water Pollution Control (Discharge of Urban Waste Water) Regulations of 2003 (No. 772/2003).
The Water Pollution Control (Sensitive Areas for Disposal of Urban Waste Water) Ministerial Decree of 2013 (No. 280/2013).
The Ministerial Decree of small – scale wastewater treatment plants < 2000 p.e (No. 379/2015).
The Code of Good Agriculture Practice Decree (No. 263/2007).
The Environmental Impact Assessment Law (No. 127 (I)/2018) for discharge to water bodies and for the management of the effluent for new UWWTPs.

Available here (in English) here (in Greek) and here (in Greek)

France

2022 – Décret n° 2022-336 du 10 mars 2022 relating to the uses and conditions for the reuse of treated wastewater.

The decree defines the terms and conditions for regulating new uses of treated wastewater, other than those already regulated by dedicated regulations. It specifies in particular the characteristics of the treated wastewater that can be used, the possible uses, the authorization procedure for reuse projects (content of the application file, maximum duration provided for the authorisation, content of the prefectural decree) and the monitoring and surveillance procedures to be put in place to ensure that the use of this water is compatible with the requirements for the protection of human health and the environment. Issued on the basis of Article L. 211-9 of the Environment Code, the decree sets up an authorization procedure to allow new uses of treated wastewater. (According to the notice published with the decree).

Available here (in French)

2014 – Regulation for water reuse for agricultural and green areas irrigation. Official Journal of the French Republic. Decree n◦0153 du 4 of July 2014 Page 11059 Text No. 29, by which the Previous Decree is Modified for the Use of Treated Effluents for Irrigating Crops or Green Areas.

Issuing institutions:

Ministry of Ecology, sustainable development and energy
Ministry for Social Affairs and Public Health
Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-Food and forests

Available here (in French)

Greece

2011 – Common Ministerial Decision No 145116 (354B)/08.03.11: Measures, Limits and Procedures for Reuse of Treated Wastewater.

Issuing institution:

Hellenic Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.

Available here (in Greek)

Italy

2003 – Italian regulations for water reuse, MINISTERIAL DECREE of the 12 June 2003, no. 185

Issuing institutions:

Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Public Health

Available here (in Italian)and here (in Italian)

Portugal

2006 – Regulations for water reuse for irrigation purposes. Portuguese Standard NP 4434.

Issuing institution:

Portuguese Institute for Quality

NP 4434:2005 – norma portuguesa para reutilização de águas residuais urbanas tratadas na rega

Available here (in English) and here (in English)

Spain

2007 – Regulations for Water Reuse – Royal Decree RD 1620/2007 of 7 December, State Official Journal, BOE no. 294, of 8 December 207, pages 50,639 to 50,661.

The decree establishes a legal framework for the reuse of treated wastewater, ensuring wastewater recycling and reuse is performed under principles ensuring optimum health and environmental protection.

Issuing institutions:

Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Ministry of Health

Available here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

Policy and Regulations