New calculation method demonstrates environmental benefits of additional treatment

In collaboration with the Aa en Maas Water Authority and Haskoning, the new LCA method was applied in an exploratory study on large-scale reuse of treated wastewater (effluent). With an additional treatment step, effluent reuse is a possible solution to drought in the Land van Cuijk area (in North-East Brabant, south of Nijmegen). The water authority and Haskoning developed a circular water chain concept and concluded that it is technically possible and financially feasible. It benefits a robust water system and improves water quality and biodiversity. But what about the environmental impact of the additional treatment step required?

Better effluent quality

KWR’s new LCA method proved to be very useful. The additional treatment step requires more energy and chemicals, but the improved effluent quality offsets this. By including water quality as an integral part of the environmental assessment, it became clear that, in this situation, advanced treatment can actually yield substantial environmental benefits.

Informed decision-making

The results of the exploratory study on effluent reuse in the Land van Cuijk area inspire a future-proof water system. KWR’s new method provides a clear assessment of environmental aspects, thereby contributing to informed decision-making about these circular solutions.

The results of the study were published in the journal magazin:

• The promise of circular water 1: exploratory study on large-scale effluent reuse en
• The promise of circular water 2: water quality receives too little attention in environmental analysis.