Water reuse: technology to GreenUp our blue planet

Article #4 – From waste to worth: landmark examples of water reuse facilities across the globe - part 2

Day after day, we are witnessing the development of a global water crisis, which spares no region and questions the way we manage this vital resource. Fortunately, our technologies bring solutions to address this crisis, by consuming more efficiently, by depolluting and regenerating this precious resource. 

It is our prerogative to mobilize these solutions in our territories – and the sooner, the better. Water reuse in particular is a reliable alternative that is already available, mature, and can be applied in most situations, and change the game in the fight for water conservation. Through this series of discussions with colleagues from Veolia , both top executives and experts, I want to advocate for its accelerated implementation.

The first piece of this series established a diagnosis about the growing global water crisis, the second one provided more details on what exactly is water reuse, on its use cases and benefits, and the third piece initiated a world tour of Veolia’s water reuse references.

For this fourth piece, our world tour continues in Europe, and I will share the floor with my colleague Jean-François NOGRETTE ,Senior Executive Vice President for Veolia in France and Special Waste Europe.

How is water reuse perceived in France? Has this perception changed over time? 

Jean-François Nogrette:

Until two years ago, there was a general perception, shared both by people and public authorities, that water was a structurally abundant resource. Water regulation was primarily focused on sanitary considerations, without taking into account the imperative of resource preservation. We were then far behind in water reuse – barely 1% of wastewater was recycled, compared to about 10% in Spain, and as much as 80% in Israel… - and some people were even hostile to it, for acceptance reasons. 

This perception changed radically in 2022, when France experienced a long and intense drought during the summer, the likes of which we hadn't seen in at least 50 years. Strict water usage restrictions had to be imposed, and people became aware that something had changed, and that we were not well-equipped to deal with this new situation. This served as a wake-up call that led public authorities to reconsider their approach to water management and to accelerate the deployment of water reuse, and the massive floods that France experienced in the spring of 2024 have only reinforced the necessity of this new approach. 

The shift in public support has also been strong. This year's edition of our Global Barometer of Ecological Transformation reveals that 68% of French people would consider drinking reused water, provided it undergoes proper treatment, to reduce the risk of water shortages. This figure represents a 17 percentage point increase compared to 2022! Beyond water reuse, there is a significant shift in public awareness about the urgent need to act now to facilitate ecological transformation.

But the Jourdain program developed by Vendée Eau - the non-profit public body in charge of water supply for the Vendée territory - had been launched before that, which shows that in regions subject to greater water stress, like Vendée, initiatives could be taken to explore the benefits of water reuse.

Case study #4 – Jourdain demonstration program by Vendée Eau (France)

Can you describe the main goals and operations of the Jourdain program?

Jean-François Nogrette:

Located on the western coast of France, Vendée is one of France’s most popular holiday destinations. However, the region relies mainly on surface water storages for its potable water production, and it has been confronted with severe water droughts over the past two decades.

In order to secure vital water supplies for the growing population while sustaining its peak summer holidays demand, and to adapt to climate change, VENDEE EAU has embarked on the bold project called “Jourdain program”, that will showcase indirect potable reuse from wastewater for surface water augmentation. 

One interesting aspect of the program is the inclusive nature of its governance. Given the broad range of issues it addresses – health, environmental, technical, regulatory, and of course social – the Jourdain project has been given a specific governance that engages many stakeholders involved in this scientific experiment. These include local authorities, institutional actors in territorial action and water policy, the community of experts and scientists, Vendée Eau, which leads the project, of course, and Veolia.

The Jourdain program will be used to engage all stakeholders, and demonstrate the technical and economical relevance of reusing water for surface water recharge, a first in Europe. 

For Denis GUILBERT , Head of Vendée Eau : "Considering the large volume of treated wastewater available but then discharged directly in the ocean from a nearby non-coastal touristic zone, indirect potable reuse (IPR) was deemed very interesting to explore. This solution could provide an additional volume of up to two million cubic meters of drinking water; this is half of the storage capacity of the Jaunay reservoir.”

Within the framework of a call for tenders, Veolia has been tasked by Vendée Eau to design, build and operate the water reclamation plant, and organize a research program to build further knowledge on water reuse.

What technologies are mobilized in the Jourdain project to ensure the quality of the treated water?

Jean-François Nogrette:

The advanced water treatment plant (AWTP) designed by Veolia Water Technologies relies on a multiple-barriers process, including ultrafiltration, membranes, and the innovative Barrel(™), a low-pressure reverse osmosis vessel that contains 147 membrane elements, ultraviolet disinfection and chlorination, designed to remove all contaminants, pathogens and micropollutants from the water.

The technology we use here has been designed to address both ecological and health standards, making the water perfectly safe both for potable use and for the environment. In fact, the processed water is actually so pure that we will need to remineralize it before reintroducing it into the natural environment, in order to avoid any disturbances of the aquatic ecosystem. Vendée Eau will pass the purified water through a vegetated area for reoxygenation, remineralization and renaturation, before returning it to Jaunay Lake.

The first months of test operation show that water quality performance have been fully achieved; hydraulic performance is undergoing improvement to reach the required levels.

Could you elaborate on the role of 'open innovation platform' played by this program?

Anne Le Guennec:

Yes, this aspect is essential to fully understand the reach of this program. It includes an ambitious research program that involves academics and companies specializing in ecological engineering. Like us, they are dedicated to better understanding the impacts of such projects on broad ecosystems and improving operational practices.

Under the terms of the contract between Vendée Eau and Veolia, this  program enables us to test and develop new water treatment technologies and methodologies. We are evaluating various treatment processes at a pilot scale, including alternative membrane treatments and other methods that could achieve similar results without reverse osmosis, thereby reducing energy consumption. We are also experimenting with processes to treat and solidify concentrate from reverse osmosis. Additionally, we aim to develop advanced "nature-based solutions" by restoring these water volumes to ecological balance: this involves reintroducing minerals and organic matter identical to those found in the river. Such actions will allow us to release water that mimics the river's natural state, thus avoiding any disruption to the natural environment and maintaining ecological balance.

This R&D platform is invaluable for exploring innovative water reuse solutions that could be applied beyond the confines of this project. It not only fosters technological innovation but also prepares us for a future where such technologies can be widely implemented more broadly to effectively address water scarcity issues.

Case study #5 – Baix Llobregat wastewater reclamation plant (Spain)

Can you outline the objectives and main components of the Baix Llobregat water reclamation project?

Anne Le Guennec:

The Barcelona area, which has around 4 million inhabitants and significant industrial and agricultural activities, suffers from periodic water scarcity and droughts. As a consequence of water stress, the flow of the Llobregat river, one of the region’s major sources of freshwater, had been reduced dramatically, and the river needed to be supported by an influx of fresh water.

The Baix Llobregat water reclamation project was initiated in 2002 to enhance the water resilience of the region, by reclaiming water from the Baix Llobregat wastewater treatment plant. The plant is one of Europe’s largest, with a treatment capacity of 420,000 m3 per day… What is also very interesting is that the reclaimed water is used for a variety of beneficial purposes such as supporting the flow of the Llobregat river, recharging the aquifer and protecting it against saline intrusion, and agricultural irrigation.

What are the technological innovations employed in the treatment process at Baix Llobregat, and how do they contribute to the project's goals?

Anne Le Guennec:

The treatment process at Baix Llobregat combines several advanced technologies, namely Veolia’s “Actiflo Disc” and “ZeeWeed 1000” ultrafiltration membranes. The Actiflo Disc is a highly effective technology, in the sense that it is highly compact, very reliable in terms of the quality of produced water, and highly responsive to the variations of the quality of the inlet water. It is very energy-efficient and provides an excellent performance for the removal of solids and dissolved organic matter. It is combined with microfiltration, UV and chlorine disinfection in the conventional water production plant, that supports the flow of the Llobregat river, downstream of the potable water plan.

The second part of the treatment train is meant to provide an even higher quality to the water that will be injected in the aquifer. This advanced treatment uses ultrafiltration membranes and reverse osmosis. This multi-barrier approach ensures the production of high-quality water that meets the required standards for each use of the processed water.

So, the benefits of this water reuse plant are mostly environmental? 

Anne Le Guennec:

Yes, mostly – but not only. For sure, it delivers a crucial environmental contribution, by augmenting the river flow during dry periods, by recharging the aquifer and protecting it against saline intrusion. But its contribution goes beyond this environmental role. It also secures a critical water supply for agricultural irrigation, as well as non-potable water for urban uses such as street cleaning and firefighting. This is particularly beneficial during peak demand in the summer months.

Recently, as the pressure on the city’s water supply grew more intense, a pilot test was conducted to extend the use of the reclaimed water to indirect potable reuse, by releasing the processed water in the Llobregat river, but this time upstream of the pumping station supplying the drinking water plant. Indirect potable water reuse could become a realistic alternative to cope with severe droughts.

Overall, the Llobregat plant reduces the water footprint in Barcelona, and enhances the sustainability of its water supply. And the project's innovative water management strategies serve as a model for sustainable water use, demonstrating significant environmental and social benefits for the local community.

Case study #6 – Industrial reuse and hydrogen production in Loudéac (France)

The last project you want to discuss involves a smaller infrastructure located in the town of Loudéac. Can you tell us more about it?

Jean-François Nogrette:

Loudéac communauté Bretagne Centre is a community of municipalities that includes just over 52,000 residents. Located in the geographical heart of Brittany, it plays a major role at the regional level in the agricultural and agri-food industries. The Docteur Etienne business park, spanning 400 hectares, is home to over 140 companies, most of them in the agri-food sector, employing 5,000 people and generating significant quantities of wastewater.

The Calouët wastewater treatment plant, situated on the outskirts of Loudéac, processes about 7,300 m³ of industrial wastewater daily; it is the third largest industrial wastewater treatment facility in the Brittany region. Constructed in the 1970s, this plant has a fairly traditional design; what is more unique is the wastewater reuse project that Loudéac Communauté decided to launch in 2023, with the support of OTV France , a subsidiary of Veolia Water Technologies. Following the drought of 2022, the aim was to act at the local level to ensure the sustainability of Loudéac’s water supply - both for its residents and industries - through an alternative and renewable source.

What are the most notable features of this project?

Jean-François Nogrette:

One of the most innovative aspects is that in Loudéac, we produce "custom-made" water, of different qualities, tailored to needs and, more importantly, to uses, from the most basic to the most sophisticated. A portion of the treated water, derived from an advanced nanofiltration process, will have an exceptionally high level of purity, with very low mineral content. This "ultrapure" water - purer than drinking water - is ideal for hydrogen production, for example.

Alongside water treatment processes, within its Low Carbon Industrial Zone project, Loudéac Communauté aims to become among the leaders in renewable energy production in Brittany. This year will see the launch of the project phase for developing a photovoltaic park exceeding 3.5 hectares, designed to power the entire business park through local self-consumption (ACC, ACT). Other projects are already under consideration: an electrolyzer that would convert this ultrapure water into hydrogen, oxygen to supply the aeration basins, Hydrothermal Gasification (GH), and the use of CO2 from a methanizer with a capacity of 90,000 tons of organic waste per year, in which the community holds shares.

This presents a remarkable example of a circular economy, leveraging local resources and wastewater to generate various renewable resources - process water for industries, and multiple forms of energy. Such projects, carried out at the local level in synergy with the economic ecosystem, are emblematic of a virtuous transformation of territories.

To conclude this conversation, what is the main message that you want to convey?

Jean-François Nogrette:

When considering the evolution of water management across different regions, a key observation is that, although conditions vary greatly from one country to another, the underlying drivers are universally the same. The escalating demand for freshwater and the effects of climate change are global concerns, resulting in comparable challenges worldwide.

To address these issues, it is crucial to be proactive and invest in developing alternative water resources before crises occur. The earlier we prepare, the more options we will have available when severe droughts arise.

Anne Le Guennec:

Investing in R&D is essential to stay at the forefront of a highly technological field like water management. There are still many things to learn in order to understand more precisely the impact of our activities on complex ecological balances.

The references mentioned in this article are crucial for Veolia, from a technological standpoint, but also in terms of environmental, economic, and societal perspectives. Many other projects could have been mentioned in this article, particularly in the USA, which has fully embraced the topic of water reuse, in Australia, in the Middle-East... The challenges ahead are immense, and in the coming years, the technologies showcased in these references will be leveraged even more extensively. Veolia is deeply committed to accelerating their deployment worldwide, providing both industries and municipalities with the solutions required to make water available where and when it is needed.

Now that we have explained what water reuse is, and presented concrete and diverse examples of water reuse facilities using Veolia technologies worldwide, the final article in this series will highlight how various countries have addressed this topic, adopting very different regulations.

Stay tuned!