Name

Nutrient removal and recycling in the 2024 recast EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive

Speakers

Chris Thornton

Authors

Veronica Santoro and Chris Thornton, European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform (ESPP)

Description

The recast EU UWWT Directive 2024/3019 requires collection and treatment for small agglomerations, “Quaternary Treatment” for wwtps in risk areas, Extended Producer Responsibility, energy neutrality, addresses microplastics and PFAS …

For nutrients, tighter phosphorus and nitrogen discharge limits are set for all wwtps in Sensitive Areas, and now for all large wwtps. Combined minimum reuse and recycling rates for phosphorus” will be adopted by 2/1/2028, taking into account economic, technical and market aspects.

ESPP has developed stakeholder consensus proposals on phosphorus reuse and recycling rates and is in dialogue with the European Commission, in the context of the proposed EU Circular Economy Act and the 2024 Critical Raw Materials Act (phosphorus is an EU CRM).

Our proposals suggest “reuse” means valorisation to farmland. We suggest quality, crop P-availability and EU validated certification, coherent with revision of the Sewage Sludge Directive.

For recycling, our proposals cover % P recovery from wwtp inflow and/or from sludge incineration ash (we propose % as national totals, enabling trading between wwtps) and quality requirements for recovered materials (product status).

This presentation will update on the definition of phosphorus reuse and recycling rates and discuss proposed requirements.

Time

3:50 PM - 4:15 PM

Location Name

Room 2

Track

14:55 - 17:30 Changing Perspectives