towards: Industrial use of recycled and reclaimed water and the use of treated industrial wastewater for urban and agricultural uses. The assessment of recycled and reclaimed water quality to preserve the product quality and process stability. Also the “RTWQM Action Group” (Real Time Water Quality Monitoring) has established a working group for water reuse. The main goal of the RTWQM AG is to foster solutions to water challenges based on online water quality monitoring technologies and affordable monitoring strategies. Social benefits of water reuse Water reuse has a number of social benefits associated with the local economic benefits of its use and security of water supply. As a means of increasing water availability, water reuse may provide further economic security to agricultural producers, which translate into social benefits. Irrigated agriculture tends to have higher employment intensities than rain-fed agriculture. The expansion of water use to date has provided employment benefits in the water industry sector, with qualified jobs in the development, operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment and water reuse solutions as well as in R&D, taking into account the innovation potential of this area. Employment benefits also extend to suppliers of systems, equipment and chemicals for wastewater treatment and reuse. In Member States from Southern Europe (e.g. Spain, Cyprus, Greece), tourism is a major economic sector, strongly contributing to the economy and to employment. In those countries, a reliable supply of water services is a critical input to foster advances in tourism activities. Therefore, water reuse has an indirect influence on the development of tourism, by allowing the development of water-related activities and thus creating jobs. Other possible social benefits associated with the use of water reuse include: Contributing to food security and sustaining agricultural employment for many households. Increased quality of life, wellbeing and health through attractive irrigated landscapes in parks and sports facilities in rich and poor communities and improvement of urban environment (e.g. urban parks and fountains). Supports the sustainability of rural communities (both with reference to their maintenance and their environmental impact). Being a cohesion tool that encourages the drinking water, wastewater and environment agencies and other stakeholders to work closely together using an integrated approach, thereby helping all to recognise the benefits and risks of treated wastewater reuse. Helping to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG) through increased water availability and poverty reduction through the use of appropriate technology solutions.
Public participation and communication Introduction The reuse of treated water can raise public concerns. They may be concerned over risks of direct exposure or indirect exposure to that water (whether this is a risk or not). Proper planning and decision making on the use of appropriate treatment to the required standards will help address concerns. However, there may still be a perception by the public of risks to health. Therefore, it is important to engage with the public in the planning and introduction of systems for water reuse. It is also important to note that the general public and other stakeholders will have legitimate views on the priorities for water reuse and other practical decisions. It is, therefore, important that these are captured in the planning and decision making processes described in Chapter 6. It is best practice to have as wide as possible engagement with the public, as well as with the relevant stakeholders (water industry, farmers, etc.). The precise techniques and processes to use for communication will vary according to circumstances and local traditions. Not least the size of the public to be engaged with will affect the appropriate engagement processes. It is recommended to follow practices of active engagement as promoted by the WFD and explored by CIS Guidance on this issue as well as other relevant sources. Active engagement is a very important as it brings the public into the decision making process rather than them feeling they are the recipients of information for which they are simply being asked an opinion. Active engagement raises the public’s understanding of an issue and is particularly helpful at overcoming misperceptions of an issue. The CIS Guidance No 9 emphasised that public participation is NOT necessarily about: “Everybody joining: be selective with actors, do a stakeholder analysis; Everybody deciding: make clear what everybody's responsibilities are; Losing control: participation cannot work if the outcome is completely predetermined, yet organise it well; Achieving consensus at all expense: make clear that it will be impossible to satisfy all wishes hundred percent. Participation will help to explain decisions as they occur and promote ownership of the outcome arrived at.” Therefore, it is important to be clear (for both the public and for authorities) of the expectations and limitations of public participation. However, good public communication and participation can lead to: Increasing awareness of the issues, benefits, risks, etc. Obtaining knowledge from the public for decision makers to improve decisions for reuse schemes. Public acceptance, commitment and support to the decisions. Creation of communication channels for future communication needs.