Roberta Maffettone (European Commission): "Water reuse is key to EU circular water strategies"
Water reuse offers Europe a vital opportunity to strengthen resilience to water scarcity and climate change. Roberta Maffettone explains how the Joint Research Centre supports Member States with science-based guidance and tools to advance safe and effective reuse across the EU.
As Europe faces increasing water scarcity and climate challenges, water reuse is becoming a vital component of sustainable water management. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) plays a key role in supporting the EU's efforts to implement water reuse efforts, especially with Regulation (EU) 2020/741. In this interview, Roberta Maffettone, Scientific Project Officer at the JRC's Ocean and Water Unit, explains how the JRC provides scientific evidence, supports the development of risk management methods, and works closely with Member States to ensure consistent, effective, and safe implementation of water reuse practices across Europe. Drawing on her expertise in environmental engineering, she highlights how research and policy support go hand in hand to advance sustainable water management.
There is interest in expanding the Water Reuse Regulation beyond agricultural irrigation to include industrial and urban applications
Please tell us briefly about your background and your current professional role.
I am a civil and environmental engineer with a Ph.D. in environmental engineering, and I have always been passionate about water. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work on various projects in both academia and industry, focusing on improving wastewater treatment efficiency and reuse. Currently, I am working at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre in the Ocean and Water Unit, where I am supporting EU water reuse initiatives by conducting research on various aspects, including methodologies for risk management. My goal is to contribute towards policies and practices that advance the one health approach and support economic growth. I am driven by the desire to make a positive impact and to find ways to balance the needs of the environment, the economy, and society. Water reuse is key to achieving the EU's water resilience objectives, and I feel lucky to contributing to it.
Can you provide an overview of how the Joint Research Centre supports the European Commission's efforts on water reuse, particularly since the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2020/741?
The Joint Research Centre plays a vital role in supporting the European Commission's water reuse efforts, especially with Regulation (EU) 2020/741. As the Commission's in-house science service, we lead the way in shaping the EU's regulatory framework. We have conducted crucial studies that have informed policymakers about the benefits and necessity of investing in water reuse, highlighting the need for standardised practices across the EU. The JRC contributed to establishing water quality standards for agricultural irrigation and developed robust risk management guidelines.
Some European countries are even developing national legislation on water reuse for the first time, which is a big step forward
Since its application, we have worked closely with the EU Member States, research centres, and academic institutions to support its rollout. We focus on exploring water reuse initiatives across different sectors, ensuring they address current challenges and align with the EU's strategic objectives. Our goal is to drive innovation and sustainability in the water sector. By doing so, we seek to enhance water resilience and EU competitiveness, while contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. The JRC continues to be dedicated to supporting the European Commission's efforts on water reuse, and we are excited to be playing a key role in shaping the future of water management within the EU.
How has the uptake of water reuse evolved across EU member states since the regulation came into force in June 2023? Are there any notable leaders or laggards?
We are now seeing operators, irrigators, and farmers working together to develop risk management plans and implement water reuse systems
Since the new Water Reuse Regulation came into effect in June 2023, we have seen a varied uptake of water reuse across the EU countries. Some countries, like Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus, with a long history of reusing water, are already ahead of the game with their own rules and guidelines in place. Others, like Italy, France, and Germany, are making good progress. In fact, some of these countries are even developing national legislation on water reuse for the first time, which is a big step forward. However, Member States, like Poland, Croatia and Austria, are taking a more cautious approach, either because of the abundant availability of freshwater resources or technical/financial challenges. They have invoked Article 2(2) of the regulation, which lets them opt out of water reuse for agriculture in certain areas, and have rather explored other uses like urban or industrial applications. It is great to see that the regulation is sparking innovation and investment in water reuse, and we are here to support all EU countries as they move forward.
What have been the main challenges or bottlenecks in implementing the Water Reuse Regulation from a technical or governance perspective?
From a technical perspective, developing effective risk management plans has not been easy. On the governance side, collaboration among stakeholders is crucial, but can be challenging, especially when it comes to educating and involving end-users like farmers. To address these challenges, we are providing support and expertise, facilitating capacity building and training, and developing innovative tools to help stakeholders understand their roles. Despite initial hurdles, we are now seeing a positive trend: operators, irrigators, and farmers are working together to develop risk management plans and implement water reuse systems. With knowledge sharing among EU countries, expertise and potential emerging, and with a bit of effort and trust, we are confident the water reuse sector will continue to grow and thrive.
How does the JRC ensure that scientific advice remains consistent yet flexible enough to adapt to local water reuse scenarios, especially in regions with very different climatic and agricultural profiles?
The JRC's scientific advice is rooted in a collaborative approach; we work closely with academia, start-ups and the private sector
The JRC's scientific advice is rooted in a strong collaborative approach, where we work closely with academia, but also start-ups and the private sector across all EU Member States. This collaboration enables us to tap into the latest research and expertise and to ensure that our scientific advice is informed by the best available knowledge and that the recommended actions are economically viable. By partnering with academic institutions and research organisations, we can leverage their expertise and resources to support the development of effective and sustainable water reuse practices. This collaborative approach translates into concrete support for Member States through technical webinars, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events. These events bring together experts and stakeholders from across the EU, providing a platform for exchanging best practices and addressing the technical challenges of water reuse.
The regulation is heavily rooted in a precautionary, risk-based approach. What are some key insights or best practices identified through the JRC’s work?
Our work at the Joint Research Centre has highlighted some important insights, including the importance of a “fit-for-purpose” approach, which balances human health and environmental protection with local contexts and conditions. We have observed best practices all over the EU, from Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Spain and many other countries, where effective risk assessment and management strategies, innovative technologies, and stakeholder engagement have been successfully implemented. Through our webinars and workshops, we've gathered over 30 examples of water reuse systems that have successfully integrated risk management provisions into their practices. These systems go beyond agricultural irrigation, and also include irrigation for gardens, urban parks, golf courses, and other public facilities - all based on rigorous risk management criteria. In the future, these best practices will be integrated into our "Knowledge Hub for Water" web platform, providing a valuable resource for stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners to support the development of sustainable water reuse practices across Europe.
What is the current thinking around expanding the regulation's scope beyond agricultural irrigation, for example, toward industrial or urban applications of reclaimed water?
Our work has shown the importance of a “fit-for-purpose” approach, balancing human health and environmental protection with local contexts
There is a growing interest in expanding the Water Reuse Regulation beyond agricultural irrigation to include industrial and urban applications. It is already happening, considering that reclaimed water is being used in these sectors, and some EU countries are proactively incorporating these uses into their national laws. We have collected some interesting case studies on industrial and urban water reuse, such as using reclaimed water for park irrigation, street cleaning, and other industrial applications. For example, industries are using municipal reclaimed water for purposes like producing pulp and paper, plaster, and in cooling systems, which reduces pressure on freshwater abstraction. It is encouraging to see that industrial settings are already adopting a 'fit-for-purpose' risk management approach, a key principle of the Water Reuse Regulation. Our goal for now is to assess the current state of play across the EU, analyse the potential of reuse in other sectors, and determine whether further regulatory frameworks are needed.
With increasing attention on contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), how are they being factored into risk assessments and water quality monitoring under the current framework?
We stay up-to-date on the latest scientific research by working closely with academic experts, and using this knowledge to develop new approaches to identify and assess CECs. A key focus area is antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which has become a critical concern in the water sector. We are collaborating with top research centres and universities to integrate CECs and AMR into risk management approaches. In addition, the new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which requires the removal of micro pollutants and monitoring of AMR and microplastics, will also help. This comprehensive approach will enable us to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with these contaminants, ensuring safe and sustainable water reuse practices.
Looking ahead, what are the next steps or priorities for the JRC and the European Commission to ensure water reuse becomes a cornerstone of the EU’s climate adaptation and circular water strategies?
In June 2025, the European Commission launched the Water Resilience Strategy, which puts forward a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach, including promoting water reuse. As part of this initiative, we have launched the European Water Academy, which will offer training, capacity building, and knowledge transfer. The academy will have a pillar dedicated to water reuse, supporting researchers and innovators in identifying commercialisation pathways for new technologies. The JRC is a fundamental player in advancing the Water Resilience Strategy by providing scientific and technical expertise, developing new tools and methodologies, and working closely with stakeholders to address barriers to water reuse. In all of this, our goal is to support water reuse as a key element of this strategy, aligning with its objectives to create a more resilient, sustainable, and circular water economy.
