Water Scarcity and Wastewater Reuse Standards in South Europe: Focus on Agriculture

Abstract Climate change is expected to affect water resources worldwide and South Europe is one of the areas where water scarcity in the future is very likely. Different hydrological parameters discussed show that some parts of this region are already facing water stress and climate change could have a great impact on water supply sector. Agriculture is the biggest consumer of water in the world and the region, and potential water scarcity will impose the need to find new water sources. Treated wastewater is especially suitable for reuse in agriculture as it already contains nutrients needed for the plant growth and its reuse would decrease pressure on the environment. However, in order to use it safely, treated wastewater has to reach a certain quality that is regulated by water reuse standards. In the South Europe four countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) have adopted these regulations and they are compared and discussed.