Implementation of an innovative and efficient quaternary wastewater treatment in compliance with the new EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
Implementation of an innovative and efficient quaternary wastewater treatment in compliance with the new EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
The EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive establishes that, by 2045, all wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) must be equipped with quaternary treatment to ensure the highest quality of treated water. Furthermore, it encourages Member States to promote the subsequent reuse of this resource. However, the implementation of this type of treatment is costly, space-intensive, and entails high energy consumption as well as a considerable environmental impact.
To address these challenges, the LIFE 4EVER project (Innovative cost-effective quaternary wastewater treatment for EU urban wastewater treatment directive compliance and water reuse) has been launched. It will implement an innovative, sustainable, and efficient quaternary treatment system that ensures the highest water quality for its subsequent reuse in aquifer recharge.
The LIFE 4EVER solution, which will be developed at the Murcia Este WWTP, will combine a novel ozonation – or ozone injection – system with an advanced biological activated carbon (BAC) adsorption system to sustainably and efficiently remove emerging contaminants, ensuring sufficient quality for aquifer recharge. This solution will be complemented by the demonstration of a digital tool for near-real-time contaminants detection combined with a decision support system (DSS).
This solution will be replicated in plants of varying sizes and geographical characteristics to demonstrate its high replicability potential, enabling WWTPs to adapt to the new directive in a sustainable and efficient manner, whilst improving water resilience through water reuse for aquifer recharge.
LIFE 4EVER is a European project co-funded by the LIFE Programme (LIFE25-ENV-ES-LIFE 4EVER 101293601), the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. This website reflects only the author’s view. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
