CRANFIELD, UK – Water reuse schemes have grown across Europe for industrial, agricultural and municipal applications yet a single unifying body has been lacking, according to a new industry association.
Water Reuse Europe (WRE) has launched with the aim to bring together commercial companies and public organisations involved in water reuse project design, operation and regulation.
WRE listed its mission statement as to “create a collective identity for the European water reuse sector and promote an innovative and dynamic industry”.
It said that water reuse is playing an increasingly important role in the pursuit of sustainable water management and recent years have seen significant growth in the number of industrial, agricultural, and municipal reuse schemes across Europe.
However, the sector has lacked a single unifying body through which it can share best practice and develop a single voice on important issues, WRE said.
The board of directors includes: Philippe Bréant, projects director at Veolia Research & Innovation and Professor Paul Jeffrey, professor of water management at Cranfield.
Utility Thames Water signed up to join the organisation in September.
The association hopes to provide organisations with access to news and information about the latest developments in the reuse market and offer specialist conferences, seminars, and workshops.
Categories to join WRE include:
- C1 - Commercial companies involved in the water reuse sector (e.g. water services companies, equipment providers, consultancies, etc.).
- C2 - Public bodies involved in water reuse (e.g. regulators, publicly owned water supply bodies);
- C3 - Universities / Research Centres;
- C4 - Trade & professional associations (local, national, international).
Membership costs range from €185 for trade/professional associations, through to €6,150 for commercial companies with a turnover above €12m.
Professor Paul Jeffrey, chair of the WRE board of directors, said: “Water reuse is going to be an important part of the mix of techniques which delivers sustainable and resilient water services. Europe now has an industry focused association dedicated to ensuring that the European water reuse sector is able to deliver innovative and safe water reuse solutions. With the global water reuse sector growing at about 20% per annum, Water Reuse Europe will also ensure that European products, services, and expertise are accessible to communities around the world.”
Philippe Bréant, a member of the WRE Board of Directors, added: "Water Reuse Europe provides the support, ambition, and coordination needed to rapidly grow the European water reuse industry and create a truly global player in this increasingly important sector over the coming years."
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