One of the most important activities of FIT4REUSE, the First Water Reuse Days were implemented sucessfully as planned in 3 steps. National meetings took place in Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Israel, Spain and France where local stakeholders, such as water utilities, universities, industries and professionals participated. The discussion gave insight into social, economic and environmental issues that relate to the water availability and quality in selected areas of FIT4REUSE countries. Challenges that existing conventional water and wastewater treatment technologies are facing and potential barriers or opportunities for the implementation of FIT4REUSE proposed solutions were analyzed in depth. The participation of stakeholders from different sectors in national meetings and their responses to the survey available in project’s Multi-Stakeholder Platform helped to unravel many important aspects related to the low public acceptance for water reuse. The Webinar following the local meetings, was about sharing the main outputs among FIT4REUSE partners, and supporting the implementation of the third step of the First Water Reuse Days that was held in ECOMONDO.
More specifically, in the event, the current state and how water reuse will impact the system of each one of the FIT4REUSE countries where national meetings took place, were presented by the local partners. The Multi-stakeholder platform was introduced to a wider public and the stakeholder engament outcomes were discussed, as well as the approach to be followed for the structure of a Water Reuse Risk Management Plan. The event was held online, through the platform made available by ECOMONDO and it was advertised in its program. This gave to the event a certain visibility: 73 visitors took part to the first Water Reuse Day, not counting the presenters.
The Water Reuse Days met the objectives established at the beginning of the project: reach the wider public and bring the stakeholders in contact with FIT4REUSE, in order to develop further the projects results and to allow sharing and dissemination.
Although the ongoing pandemic crisis, the adjustments put in place were effective: stakeholders have been reached in different countries, the consultations have been performed and important results collected.
