FIT4REUSE – Safe and sustainable solutions for the integrated use of non-conventional water resources in the Mediterranean agricultural sector (PRIMA)  

General concept

The overall concept and rationale of FIT4REUSE are identified with the three main pillars of the project: i) innovation of treatment technologies, ii) application of non-conventional water resources in simulated/relevant environment, and iii) assessment and regulation, followed with the engagement of research, governmental and industrial partners from different parts of the Mediterranean region. The innovation pillar will concentrate on wastewater treatment and desalination technologies in order to optimise the water-energy-carbon-food nexus and offer new knowledge through novel and sustainable solutions. In particular,  nature-based solutions (optimised constructed wetlands), advanced treatment systems (mainly based on anaerobic processes, as UASB and AnMBR) and nano-materials will be innovatively combined; FIT4REUSE will develop innovative solutions tailored for maintaining nutrients only when needed (crop irrigation seasons), while removing pathogens and emerging compounds for a safe wastewater reuse. The use of non-conventional water resources will also be considered for aquifer recharge after soil aquifer treatment and FIT4REUSE will provide a basis for a novel modelling tool that links meteorological conditions and infiltration rate. The data obtained for both wastewater treatment and desalination will be used to provide a simple and easy-to-use modelling platform in order to cover a wider range of scenarios and conditions than those relative to the experimental part. Once a suitable water quality is achieved, the application pillar will study its use in irrigation, fertigation and aquifer recharge, as direct and indirect water reuse schemes

The role of UNIVPM in FIT4REUSE

UNIVPM is operating a pilot scale UASB coupled with AnMBR in the demonstrative hall of Falconara Marittima WWTP (Ancona, Italy) for high-rate innovative municipal wastewater treatment. The integration of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) column to the UASB+AnMBR configuration is being tested for enhanced pharmaceuticals removal to enable safe reclaimed water reuse. In parallel, an intensive pilot system is being operated in the Falconara Marittima WWTP to enable wider use of desalted water in agriculture through evaporation, chemical precipitation (selective Mg and Ca precipitation) and forward osmosis (FO) steps. The recovered Mg is to be used as an external source to enhance the struvite precipitation in the effluent of the AnMBR. In addition to lab and pilot-scale achievements, water reuse safety plans are also under preparation by UNIVPM to consider multi-dimensional risk interactions involved with water reuse schemes. 

Expected impacts

The expected impacts of the FIT4REUSE include: – increasing the quantity, quality and safety of non-conventional water use for agriculture and food processing (direct use and indirect use of reclaimed water, i.e. artificial recharge, aquifer storage recovery approach) – increasing the efficiency of water management systems with particular regard to energy and water smart infrastructures – decreasing the cost of treating wastewater and, particularly, desalination by using more energy-efficient processes – obtaining socio-economic, environmental (soil conservation and nutrient pollution in particular) and technical information to influence Mediterranean countries policies in terms of wastewater use – Deriving new solutions for brine disposal considering a holistic approach for desalination water.