Areosa Inês, Martins Tiago A E, Lourinho Rita, Batista Marcos, Brito António G, Amaral Leonor
Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal.
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Dec 1;954:176698. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176698. Epub 2024 Oct 2.
In an increasing water scarcity and climate-vulnerable global context, treated wastewater represents a vital alternative water source, thereby enhancing resource sustainability. Despite its potential, only roughly 2.5 % of the treated wastewater is reused in the European Union, with Portugal's reuse rate being only 1.2 % in 2022. Considering this framework, this study evaluates the feasibility of increasing wastewater reuse in Portugal by focusing on the Tagus River and Ribeiras do Oeste Basins. The regional assessment identified eight key wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) with significant potential for irrigation reuse in the agriculture and tourism sectors. Analysing costs, quality requirements, and technological options, this study considered five treatment lines, incorporating filtration and disinfection methods. The findings indicate that reclaimed water costs may range from 0.02€/m to 0.83€/m, being competitive with other water sources and significantly lower than desalination processes (up to 1.66€/m). Distribution investments and energy consumption are primary cost drivers, suggesting a relocation of WWTP closer to end-users as a cost-saving strategy. The proposed reuse projects could quadruple regional reuse rates and double the national rate, mitigating water needs for over 2000 ha of agricultural land and golf courses. This study underscores the importance of treated wastewater reuse in addressing water scarcity, advocating for WWTP decentralisation, strategic investments and policy interventions to achieve cost-effective goals. The methodologies and insights presented offer valuable guidance for other regions facing similar challenges, promoting a paradigm shift towards circular water resource management.
在全球水资源日益稀缺且气候脆弱的背景下，经处理的废水是至关重要的替代水源，从而增强了资源可持续性。尽管其具有潜力，但在欧盟，只有约2.5%的经处理废水得到回用，2022年葡萄牙的回用率仅为1.2%。在此框架下，本研究聚焦塔霍河和西滨海流域，评估了葡萄牙提高废水回用的可行性。区域评估确定了八个关键污水处理厂，在农业和旅游业灌溉回用方面具有巨大潜力。通过分析成本、质量要求和技术选项，本研究考虑了五条处理线，包括过滤和消毒方法。研究结果表明，再生水成本可能在0.02欧元/立方米至0.83欧元/立方米之间，与其他水源相比具有竞争力，且远低于海水淡化成本（高达1.66欧元/立方米）。配送投资和能源消耗是主要成本驱动因素，这表明将污水处理厂迁至更靠近终端用户的位置是一种节约成本的策略。拟议的回用项目可使区域回用率提高四倍，全国回用率提高一倍，缓解2000多公顷农田和高尔夫球场的用水需求。本研究强调了经处理废水回用在应对水资源短缺方面的重要性，倡导污水处理厂分散化、战略投资和政策干预，以实现具有成本效益的目标。所提出的方法和见解为面临类似挑战的其他地区提供了宝贵指导，推动向循环水资源管理的范式转变。
