How does Royal Decree 1085/2024 affect the hydrogen sector?

With the recent approval of Royal Decree 1085/2024, Spain has made significant progress in the regulation and safety of the use of reclaimed water, establishing a complete and demanding framework for its reuse in urban, agricultural, industrial, recreational and environmental uses. This regulation seeks to promote the circular economy and reduce pressure on water resources, guaranteeing high standards of quality and protection for both human health and the environment. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of the regulations and some success stories that reflect good practices in water reuse.

Water Reuse: A Pillar for Sustainability and Safety

Royal Decree 1085/2024 is based on the idea of promoting the reuse of water as a sustainable resource, especially in areas where access to freshwater sources is limited or at risk. The regulation provides that wastewater, when treated properly, can be used in a variety of contexts, from the irrigation of parks and sports fields to certain industrial processes that do not require drinking water.

Water safety and quality are critical factors: the regulation establishes specific requirements that reclaimed water must meet depending on the end use. Thus, agricultural or urban uses must comply with demanding quality levels, which minimizes risks to public health and ensures adequate environmental protection.

In search of a significant impact

Royal Decree 1085/2024, which regulates the reuse of water in Spain, may have a significant impact on the hydrogen sector, albeit indirectly but significantly. Let's see how:

• Availability of water for electrolysis processes: The production of green hydrogen requires large amounts of water for the electrolysis process. A strong regulatory framework such as the new Royal Decree that guarantees the availability of quality reclaimed water can facilitate the development of hydrogen production projects, especially in water-stressed regions.
• Synergies with other sectors: The hydrogen and water management sectors share common interests, such as the search for sustainable solutions and resource efficiency. Water reuse can generate opportunities for collaboration between the two sectors, for example, in the creation of industrial clusters that combine hydrogen production with wastewater treatment.
• Reducing the water footprint: The use of reclaimed water in hydrogen production processes contributes to reducing the sector's water footprint, which is essential to achieve sustainability goals.
• Incentives for innovation: The new regulation can incentivise research and development of more efficient technologies for wastewater treatment and hydrogen production, which in turn can generate new business opportunities.

Success Stories: Spain Leading the Way in Water Reuse Safety

Within the framework of the Royal Decree, several success stories have emerged in water reuse, highlighting the commitment of various entities and communities to implement safe and sustainable systems. Below, we describe some examples that illustrate how the regulation is being successfully implemented.

1. Community of Madrid: Water Reuse in Parks and Gardens

One of the outstanding cases in the application of Royal Decree 1085/2024 is in Madrid, where a system of reuse of reclaimed water has been implemented for the irrigation of parks and gardens. In a city that faces water scarcity issues at certain times of the year, reuse has been critical. Thanks to this system, the use of drinking water is reduced, allocating reclaimed water for the irrigation of urban green areas. In addition, periodic quality controls have been implemented to ensure that the water meets the standards required by the regulation, guaranteeing its safety for the population and the environment.

2. Region of Murcia: Innovation in Agricultural Irrigation with Reclaimed Water

Murcia, a region where agriculture is vital to the local economy, has implemented a model of water reuse in crop irrigation. The Royal Decree allows the use of reclaimed water for this purpose, as long as it meets specific quality standards, thus protecting the safety of consumers and the integrity of crops. In this case, advanced purification technologies and risk management plans have been adopted that monitor water quality, contributing to an efficient and safe use of water resources.

This case shows how proper regulation and the use of advanced technology can contribute to a safe and productive use of reclaimed water in the agricultural sector, aligning with the slogan "Safety First" to prioritize health and safety at every step.

3. The Water Management Observatory: Transparency and Control

The Royal Decree also establishes the creation of a Water Management Observatory in Spain, which is responsible for collecting and disseminating information on the use of reclaimed water. This observatory not only increases transparency, but also allows citizens and authorities to access accurate data on the quality of reclaimed water in their areas. Transparency in water management is an important step towards a successful implementation of reuse projects, allowing the population to understand and trust the safety processes implemented.

Quality and Control Requirements: Safety Assurance

To comply with the regulation, reclaimed water must undergo a strict purification process and comply with specific quality standards, detailed in Annex I of the Royal Decree. These requirements include microbiological and physicochemical parameters that vary depending on the use. Thus, the water intended for agricultural irrigation will have a different level of demand than the water used in the maintenance of recreational areas or in certain industrial processes.

Likewise, the regulation requires periodic controls to be carried out and a Reclaimed Water Risk Management Plan to be drawn up, which identifies risks and defines the measures to mitigate them. The implementation of this plan is critical to ensure that every stage of production, supply and use is carried out under safe conditions.

Incentives and Grants: Promoting Safe Reuse

Royal Decree 1085/2024 not only establishes safety and quality criteria, but also offers economic incentives to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices. Among the support measures are tariff exemptions and the possibility of accessing subsidies, making it easier for municipalities and companies to make investments in infrastructure and technology for water reuse.

These incentives play a crucial role in the development of new reclaimed water treatment and distribution facilities, promoting the creation of a framework where reclaimed water is sustainably and safely integrated into different activities.

Conclusion: A Future with Reclaimed Water and Safety at the Forefront

The approval of Royal Decree 1085/2024 marks a milestone in the management and reuse of water in Spain. This regulation not only opens the door to wider use of reclaimed water, but also establishes a framework that ensures safety at every stage of the process. The success stories in Madrid and Murcia, as well as the implementation of a water management observatory, reflect the commitment of institutions and industry to put safety first, complying with the motto "Safety First".

Royal Decree 1085/2024, although not specifically aimed at the hydrogen sector, creates a favourable framework for the development of this sector by ensuring the availability of an alternative and sustainable water source. However, there is a need to deepen the analysis of the specific requirements of the regulation and explore the potential synergies between the two sectors in order to make the most of the opportunities it offers.